Start with existing structure and membrane, not plant selection.
V19
Residential green roof
Coordinate structure, membrane, root barrier, drainage, water retention, plants, maintenance and access.
Checked: 2026-08-22
Saturated loads, drainage, membrane upstands and roots must be designed together.
Unknown structure/membrane or conversion of an existing roof: engineer/roof designer before adding growing medium.
Useful tools / data
- Roof/structure plan
- Saturated system weight
- Drainage plan
What the professional checks
- Calculate loads
- Detail membrane/root barrier/drains
- Plan maintenance/access
Sources and limits
Triage helps prepare the project; it does not replace permits, calculations, inspections or regulated work.
Related path
Continue with the right tools
These links connect this page to the next useful checks and decisions without repeating the full content.
Connect symptoms to the enclosureStart from condensation, staining, odours or movement before choosing a repair.Open →Adapt the enclosure to climateConnect heat, cold, water, wind and wildfire to building priorities.Open →Assess overall resilienceReview water, climate, safety, autonomy and records with a local score.Open →Screen hazardous materialsIdentify situations where work should stop and testing is needed before disturbance.Open →Open climate guidanceReview climate constraints relevant to assemblies and materials.Open →
Tools related to this issue
Explore: Systems to check before closing the work
Systems to check before closing the work
This section connects envelope, air, fire, structure, water and code instead of treating each project in isolation.
Explore: Advanced diagnostics to cross-check
Advanced diagnostics to cross-check
This section connects water, soil, climate, safety, materials and seasonal use to existing projects.
Explore: Specialized systems to cross-check
Specialized systems to cross-check
This section completes gas, soil, water, fire, climate and structural interfaces.
Explore: Specialized diagnostics to verify
Specialized diagnostics to verify
This section connects systems that become costly or regulated when a primary project triggers them.
Explore: Often-overlooked service interfaces
Often-overlooked service interfaces
This section connects systems that cross utility, plumbing, HVAC, envelope and metering boundaries.
Explore: Project risks and overlooked interfaces
Project risks and overlooked interfaces
This section connects payment, water, envelope, ventilation and jobsite details that often create costly surprises.
Explore: Finish and service details to verify
Finish and service details to verify
This section connects small details that become costly once finishes are closed.
Explore: Shared, access and specialized interfaces
Shared, access and specialized interfaces
This section connects projects where multiple systems, owners or rules meet.
Explore: Post-disaster and legacy systems
Post-disaster and legacy systems
This section connects contamination, storm damage, legacy materials and recommissioning before rebuilding.
Explore: V47 interfaces not to miss
V47 interfaces not to miss
These details are small on a drawing but can control water, structure or durability.