25/09/2025
This is an educational diagram about roof planters, which are used in the construction of green roofs. The infographic illustrates the layers involved and the relationship between planter depth, vegetation type, and the resulting load on the roof.
Layers of a Roof Planter
The top diagram provides a detailed cross-section of a single roof planter, showing the various components from the bottom up:
CONCRETE: The structural base of the roof.
SLOPE SCREED: A layer of material placed on top of the concrete to provide a slight slope, which allows for drainage.
DRAIN PIPE: A pipe for collecting and channeling water off the roof.
ANTI-ROOT MEMBRANE: A waterproof layer that prevents plant roots from damaging the structural integrity of the roof.
GRAVEL: A drainage layer on top of the membrane that allows water to pass through.
FILTER FABRIC: A permeable fabric placed on top of the gravel to prevent soil from washing into the drainage layer.
SOIL: The medium in which the plants grow.
Planter Depth and Load Capacity
The bottom diagram shows a series of stepped planters, demonstrating how the depth of the planter affects the type of vegetation that can be supported and the load it places on the roof. The total load, measured in kilograms per square meter (Kg/m increases with the depth of the soil.
150mm Depth: Suitable for grass, with a load of 240 Kg/m
300mm Depth: Suitable for shrubs, with a load of 315 Kg/m
500mm Depth: Suitable for 1m tall trees, with a load of 465 Kg/m
900mm Depth: Suitable for 2m tall trees, with a load of 615 Kg/m
1500mm Depth: Suitable for 3m tall trees, with a load of 865 Kg/m
This visual guide is useful for architects, engineers, and designers who need to calculate the structural requirements for a green roof based on the desired landscaping.