Explore the Benefits of Vegetated Roofs
Faced with the growing challenges related to heat islands, rainwater management, and air pollution in urban areas, building design is entering a new era. With SOPRANATURE, explore vegetated roof solutions designed to meet the specific challenges of built environments.
SOPREMA plays a key role in the development of vegetated roofing, notably through its contribution to one of the first green roof projects in North America. This concrete expertise has led to the development of vegetated roof systems that help to limit rainwater runoff, improve the thermal comfort of buildings, and promote development conducive to urban biodiversity. In addition to protecting waterproofing membranes, vegetated roofs can also enhance outdoor spaces according to the characteristics of each project and local conditions.
SOPREMA plays a key role in the development of vegetated roofing, notably through its contribution to one of the first green roof projects in North America. This concrete expertise has led to the development of vegetated roof systems that help to limit rainwater runoff, improve the thermal comfort of buildings, and promote development conducive to urban biodiversity. In addition to protecting waterproofing membranes, vegetated roofs can also enhance outdoor spaces according to the characteristics of each project and local conditions.
Did You Know?
The installation of a vegetated roof can contribute to obtaining credits towards Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) and WELL certifications, according to the terms and conditions of the various programs and categories involved.
Vegetative and Rainwater Management Systems
Designed to adapt to different project settings, SOPRANATURE vegetated systems offer great design flexibility to create custom vegetated roofs. Whether modular or built-in-place, they are designed to meet regulatory standards and the environmental challenges of the Canadian climate. These products offer versatile solutions that combine performance, durability and aesthetics, regardless of the type of application.
Extensive Roofing Systems
Designed for lightweight roofs, extensive systems use a substrate less than 150 mm deep and can accommodate vegetation such as sedum mats, grasses, and other low-maintenance perennials. Ideal for renovation projects or large surface areas, they offer advantages such as thermal regulation and rainwater retention, while minimizing the load on the building structure.
Semi-intensive and Urban Agriculture Systems
With a substrate depth of 150 mm to 300 mm, these semi-intensive systems can accommodate a wide variety of plants, including sedums, perennials, shrubs, and edible plants for urban agriculture projects. Suitable for buildings that can withstand heavier loads, they offer greater aesthetic design possibilities and contribute to biodiversity and local production.
Intensive Systems and Ground Level Plaza Decks
Suitable for roofs with high load capacity or ground-level plaza decks, intensive systems have a substrate depth of over 300 mm. They are ideal for creating vegetated roofs with complete landscaping using a wide variety of perennials, shrubs and trees. This type of system also offers good performance in terms of insulation, rainwater management and enhancement of accessible spaces.
TOUNDRA BOX
TOUNDRA BOX is an all-in-one modular solution consisting of pre-planted trays designed to simplify and speed up the installation of extensive roofs. Easy to handle, it reduces the time and labour required for installation.
Benefits of
SOPREMA’s Vegetated Roof Products
With SOPRANATURE, get the most out of vegetative solutions designed to improve roof performance and meet the various requirements of construction projects. Our systems adapt to the specific building constraints and contribute to the enhancement of outdoor spaces.
In addition to its benefits for buildings, vegetative solutions have numerous positive impacts on the community, from improving urban comfort to promoting biodiversity.
Versatile application
Systems suitable for lightweight or high-load roofs, as well as ground-level plaza decks and urban agriculture projects.
Complete solution
A full line of products integrating insulation, waterproofing membranes, drainage systems, growing medium, and selected plants.
Effective stormwater management
Systems that promote stormwater retention and controlled management to relieve pressure on urban infrastructure.
Thermal and acoustic insulation
An additional benefit that helps improve the comfort of buildings.
Ease of installation
Modular solutions, such as TOUNDRA BOX, make implementation easier and reduce installation time.
Expert technical support
Personalized support throughout your project thanks to SOPREMA’s recognized expertise.
Full Product Line for Green Roofs
At SOPREMA, we understand that each vegetated roof project has unique requirements. Each component, from the drainage system to the sedum mat, is designed to meet the specific requirements of the building and the desired performance objectives.
Solutions for All Types of Green Roofs
A green roof offers many ecological, economic and aesthetic benefits. It helps reduce urban heat islands, improves air quality and efficiently manages stormwater. It increases the lifespan of the waterproofing membrane by protecting it from UV rays and thermal variations. This type of roof also improves thermal and acoustic insulation, which can lead to energy savings. It also enhances the building by adding a functional green space (terrace, garden or vegetable patch) and can help in obtaining certifications such as LEED® or WELL. Finally, it promotes the well-being of occupants and reinforces a sustainable development approach.
The ideal slope for a green roof depends on the type of system chosen, but in general, it should respect the following elements:
- Flat roofs with low slopes (1% to 5%) are the most common and easiest to vegetate, as they allow good water distribution and simple installation of drainage and substrate layers.
- Roofs with a slope of up to 20% to 30% can also be greened, but they require technical adaptations, such as anchoring devices, anti-slip barriers or specific substrates, to prevent runoff or slippage of materials.
- For roofs with a slope exceeding 30%, a thorough structural study is recommended and tailor-made solutions need to be implemented.
SOPRANATURE systems adapt to different configurations, but a consultation with a SOPREMA technical representative is recommended to validate feasibility according to the slope of your roof.
The lifespan of a green roof depends on several factors, including the type of system installed, the quality of maintenance and climatic conditions. However, SOPRANATURE systems are designed to be durable and reliable over the long term. If properly maintained, they can last more than 30 years or even longer due to the protection they provide to the waterproofing membrane.
To build a green roof, the building’s load-carrying frame must first be assessed to ensure that it can support the load of the selected system (from 60 to more than 500 kg/m² depending on the type of vegetative solution). It is essential to install a high-performance waterproofing membrane, typically protected by a root barrier, an efficient drainage solution (such as SOPRADRAIN) and a suitable growing medium (e.g. SOPRAFLOR). The type of system (extensive, semi-intensive, intensive or modular) will affect the depth of the substrate, the type of plants, the need for irrigation and the maintenance required. The roof should not exceed the maximum permitted slope (usually up to 30%) to prevent the system from slipping. Finally, we strongly recommend that you consult a certified professional to ensure compliance with standards and guarantee the durability of the system.
You must first ensure that the structure can support the load of the selected system (extensive, semi-intensive, intensive or modular). Then, select the type of vegetation desired based on your desired goal (aesthetics, urban agriculture, biodiversity, etc.). SOPREMA offers turnkey solutions with technical support from our experts. Once in place, the system requires regular maintenance, including watering, fertilization, weeding, and cleaning of drains. The use of an automated irrigation system is recommended to optimize water management.
Maintaining a green roof begins with regular inspections tailored to the type of system (extensive, semi-intensive or intensive). Weeding, plant waste removal and drain inspections are required at each visit. Regular watering is crucial the first year, then adjusted according to climatic conditions and the type of vegetation in subsequent years. Fertilization should only be carried out after testing the substrate to identify its needs and the type of fertilization plan to follow, which is generally annual with a slow-release fertilizer. Finally, disease and insect control should be carried out by qualified professionals if necessary.
SOPRANATURE vegetated systems offer ecological benefits by reducing urban heat islands, improving air quality and promoting biodiversity. They also contribute to better stormwater management and the mitigation of noise pollution. Economically, these systems help reduce costs associated with air conditioning and water management infrastructure. They also enhance real estate values and can contribute to local urban agriculture.
A warranty is available for roofs covered by SOPREMA’s MAMMOUTH PLATINUM Warranty. The MAMMOUTH PLATINUM Warranty covers the materials and labour of the waterproofing assembly, while the MAMMOUTH SOPRANATURE Warranty covers the replacement of the SOPRANATURE vegetated system components provided by SOPREMA. Under this warranty, if corrective action is required due to water infiltration covered by the MAMMOUTH PLATINUM Warranty, SOPREMA will provide the owner with the materials and labour to remove and reinstall the SOPRANATURE vegetated system. For more details, visit our SOPREMA warranties page.
Products and Systems for Green Roofs
We offer vegetated roof products adapted to a wide variety of projects. Discover some of our most popular products on the market.
