SRS Roof Garden

Stormwater Management

A roof garden helps with the management of stormwater runoff. During a rain event water immediately runs off a hard surfaced roof into a drain system that flows into a city’s stormwater catchment and distribution system. As cities grow the stormwater system will quickly get to a point of overload during a rain event or downpour. When a roof garden is installed the rain water is absorbed into the soil layer until the soil becomes saturated then the water is released down through the soil profile to the drain system. This retardation of water run off reduces the immediate demand of a rain event’s run onto a cities stormwater system. Also as the rain filters down through the soil profile many of the pollutants or smog components are removed from the rainwater.

Expanding Outdoor Living Space Within The Same Property Boundaries

We have many examples of where the addition of a roof garden allowed occupants to recreate on the roof making more usable areas for the same property. With a wide range of activities enabled with roof gardens the add on effect is a community evolves with the occupants through contact on the roof. This adds value to the building and generates a return on the initial costs of installing the green roof.

Longevity

Most roofs are exposed to extremes caused by the weather. Sun, wind, rain and snow all have an impact on your roof, causing the roof layers to shrink and expand which takes its toll on the lifespan of the typical roof. Adding a rooftop garden can help to significantly extend the lifespan of your roof components, helping to save costs in the long term.

Energy Savings

This is done in 2 ways:

1. Direct energy savings to the building itself. There are 3 layers to a roof garden:

1.) Drain layer at the base

2.) Soil layer above that

3.) Foliage layer on top.

Each of these 3 layers has a thermal mass and an air content, creating an insulation blanket on top of the building. This enables the roof garden to keep hot air out during hot sunny days and thus reducing the air-conditioning demand.

Installing Your Roof Garden

There are many benefits to rooftop garden spaces, however, it’s important that the installation of a roof garden is undertaken by professionals. One pivotal component of a rooftop garden installation is the waterproof membrane that sets the foundation. SRS Group do not supply waterproof membranes, but your architect will be able to guide you on the best supplier for their roof garden design and we will work in conjunction with a supplier once they have been appointed.

Using a thin soil profile of an extensive roof garden has advantages in reducing weight but it needs to be a mineral based soil mixture with minimal organic content. This ensures longevity but requires regular feeding and irrigation during establishment and hot dry periods.

Our team botanist will then work with you to ensure the plants selected – and how they are positioned – will be ecologically sustainable and matched to the green roof’s growing conditions.