ZinCo GmbH

Extensive landscaped roofs are an ecological alternative to conventional surface protection or ballast layers such as gravel and pavers. They are lightweight and have a shallow build-up height. Suitable plants include various Sedum species, herbs and some grasses. After establishment of the vegetation, the maintenance is limited to one or two inspections a year.

If designed specifically to increase the biodiversity and attract a particular fauna and flora, they are called “Biodiverse Green Roofs”. Biodiverse green roofs reproduce natural habitats and attract flora and fauna into the area, e.g. by providing food, nesting opportunities or resting places for creatures, such as spiders, beetles, butterflies, birds, etc.

Characteristics

• Adapted plant communities
• Minimal maintenance required
• Supply of water and nutrients mostly by natural processes
• Shallow build-up height

Weight approx. 50–150 kg/m²

Intensive green roofs can most easily be compared to building a garden on a roof. They are usually multifunctional and accessible. They require more weight and a deeper system build-up. The maintenance is regular and depends on the landscape design and the chosen plant material. Anything is possible from lawns, perennials, shrubs, trees including other landscape options such as ponds, pergolas and patios.
Characteristics
•    Ornamental lawn, summer flowers, demanding shrubs, bushes and trees
•    Regular maintenance required
•    Build-up height depending on plant selection
•    Weight >150 kg/m²

Using a Green Roof for Stormwater Management

Every green roof build-up delays stormwater run-off, where the water is detained at least temporarily. Run-off peak flows which can be critical for a sewerage system can be effectively capped. However, water storage in a green roof build-up cannot be increased arbitrarily because more water means greater growth intensity and this can lead to a transformation of the vegetation, requiring, for example additional maintenance. Water accumulation is sometimes created purposely for intensive green roofs to provide for capillary irrigation. However, in this case, the permanent retention of water of the roof is international on the one hand, but on the other hand the storage volume in the event of heavy rain is too limited to lighten the load on drainage facilities up and including the waterways, to the extent required. The necessary space can therefore be created by installing a grid spacer beneath the actual green roof build-up.

Why a stormwater management roof?

Changing weather conditions (e.g. extreme local rain events) can result in an entire public sewerage system being overwhelmed. One of the great benefits of a green roof is that it detains water and allows for the time-delayed run off of stormwater (water retention).

Water storage in a standard green roof build-up cannot be increased arbitrarily because more water could result in changes to the vegetation used.

However, this is possible with a stormwater management roof which offers this option in addition to all the other features of a green roof build-up.

Features of a stormwater management roof

Up to approx. 80 l/m² of precipitation can be retained with a stormwater management roof and then released into the sewerage system over a pre-defined period (between 24 hours and a few days). The space required for the increased precipitation is created by a grid spacer situated beneath the actual green roof build-up.        

Meanwhile, the elements (water storage for the plants, air-water household in the root area etc.) that are of vital importance for the proper functioning of the green roof are all preserved.

Virtually all types of roof utilisation are possible above the stormwater retention space, once structurally permitted, from an extensive green roof to a roof garden with pathways and driveways.

Pure Synergy: A flat roof is one of the best locations for a solar energy system, given that the solar modules can be adjusted to the correct angle and the most appropriate orientation. It is a mistaken belief that one has to decide between a green roof and a solar system. On the contrary with the right system, significant synergy effects are achieved when combining both.

With its Solar Base, ZinCo incorporates solar energy into green roofs and creates synergies, whether it is for generating electricity (photovoltaic) or for heating and hot water applications (solar thermal). The height of the Solar Base Frames creates enough distance between the substrate layer and the solar panels, providing the plants with enough sunlight and rainwater and enabling appropriate maintenance.

Working Safely on Flat Roofs with ZinCo Fall Protection Systems: ZinCo offers a maximum of safety to people and buildings through their innovative Fallnet® solutions specifically designed for the use on green roofs.

The system does not require penetration of the roof membrane as it is integrated into the green roof build-up or the gravel roof and is held in place by the ballast provided by the build-up. The Fallnet® systems are suitable for all flat roofs that are capable of carrying ballast.

They can be supplemented by wallmounted fall anchors, personal protective equipments (ZinCo PPE-Set), as well as ZinCo Guardrail Systems.

Advantages of the Fallnet® Systems

•    Installation without any roof penetration
•    Ideal in terms of building physics as there are no cold or thermal bridges
•    Integrated unobtrusively into the green roof build-up or the gravel roof
•    Permanently available and can be used whenever required
•    Simple and fast installation, no special tools required
•    Certified according to European Standard EN 795 Class E