ZinCo green roof systems

  • A filter sheet is cut
  • Drainage elements are cut
  • Butterfly on substrate

ZinCo Systems for Extensive and Intensive Landscaped Roofs

When designing and installing a green roof, it is important to provide a growing environment as close as possible to the plant's natural environment. The most important factor is to compensate for the lack of subsoil. Each layer of a ZinCo green roof build-up is conceived to take over the relevant functions of the missing ground. A durable plant coverage is guaranteed.

Basic types of green roofs

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. They cope with the conditions on the roof (sun, wind, drought, etc.) by nature. After establishment of the vegetation, the maintenance is limited to one or two inspections a year.

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. Depending on the substrate depth, anything is possible from lawns, perennials, shrubs, trees including other landscape options such as ponds, pergolas, patios, walkways and driveways. For all these kinds of use ZinCo provides well-engineered longlasting and functioning systems.

Additional systems

ZinCo is leading in the development of tried and tested fall protection systems on roofs that do not require the roof membrane to be penetrated as well as solutions for combining solar energy plants with green roofs. Elaborate system build-ups focus on rainwater management and counteracting Urban Heat Island effects.

Extensive Green Roof Systems

Sedum Carpet

“Sedum Carpet” is a shallow and lightweight green roof type that can easily deal with sun, wind and drought and requires little maintenance.
Technical Data
Build-up height ca. 90 mm
Weight, saturated ca. 95 kg/m² *
Water retention capacity ca. 25 l/m²

Rockery Type Plants

The green roofing system “Rockery Type Plants” leads to an extensive green roof with sophisticated design and individual character. The vegetation consists of various species which provide a long blooming period and set different accents throughout the vegetation period.
Technical Data
Build-up height ca. 100 mm
Weight, saturated ca. 110 kg/m² *
Water retention capacity ca. 36 l/m²

Pitched Green Roofs up to 25°

The core element of the system build-up for roofs with a pitch of up to 25° is the Floraset® FS 75 drainage element. Due to its profiled design and studs facing upwards Floraset® FS 75 is the perfect drainage element to install a green roof on a sloping roof up to 25°. It prevents erosion and safely transfers shear forces.
Technical Data
Build-up height ca. 130–150 mm
Weight, saturated ca. 105–135 kg/m² *
Water retention capacity ca. 38–44 l/m²

Steep Pitched Green Roofs up to 35°

Our highly sophisticated green roofing system with Georaster® elements even enables the installation of steep pitched roofs up to 35°.
Technical Data
Build-up height ca. 120 mm
Weight, saturated ca. 155 kg/m² *
Water retention capacity ca. 64 l/m²

Irrigated Extensive Green Roof

This ZinCo green roofing system is particularly suitable for regions with extended dry periods. Long-term green roof success will be ensured by using specific underfloor irrigation.
Technical Data
Build-up height from 130 mm
Weight, saturated from 120 kg/m² *
Water retention capacity from 37 l/m²

Urban Climate Roof

Thanks to a a high level of evaporation the ZinCo green roof system “Urban Climate Roof” helps cool cities during hot, dry periods.
Technical Data
Build-up height from 150 mm
Weight, saturated from 150 kg/m² *
Water retention capacity from 45 l/m²

Biodiversity Green Roof

Learn more about how to foster the biotope function of greened roof areas, thus providing habitat for flora and fauna.
Intensive Green Roof Systems

Heather with Lavender

“Heather with Lavender” is the ideal green roof system build-up for growing a wide variety of blooming perennials, aromatic shrubs and ornamental grasses.
Technical Data
Build-up height from 160 mm
Weight, saturated from 195 kg/m² *
Water retention capacity from 70 l/m²

Roof Garden

Our top quality roof garden system offers high water storage and allows for a variety of design concepts including walkways, water features, patios or play areas.
Technical Data
Build-up height from 270 mm
Weight, saturated from 365 kg/m² *
Water retention capacity from 135 l/m²

Roof garden with Aquafleece® irrigation

This green roof system build-up is used in case of a low load reserve and/or a low build-up height.
Technical Data
Build-up height from ca. 200 mm
Weight, saturated from ca. 230 kg/m² *
Water retention capacity from ca. 80 l/m²

Green Roofs with Lawn

Lawns can be established on roofs using seed or turf just as they can on the ground. Read more about appropriate green roof system build-ups.

Urban Rooftop Farming

Enjoy fresh vegetables and fruits from your roof! ZinCo provide a system build-up with proven drainage technology for growing vegetables on roofs.
Technical Data
Build-up height from 250 mm
Weight, saturated from 300 kg/m² *
Water retention capacity from 100 l/m²

Parklands on Rooftops

Protectodrain® turns underground garages into parks. Designed to withstand heavy loads, it is a perfect base for walkways and driveways on rooftops.
Technical Data
Build-up height from 230 mm
Weight, saturated from 305 kg/m² *
Water retention capacity from 100 l/m²

natureline

With elements based on renewable raw material this ZinCo green roof system build-up sets new standards in terms of ecology.
Technical Data
Build-up height from 270 mm
Weight, saturated from 340 kg/m² *
Water retention capacity from 110 l/m²
Other Green Roof Systems

Walkways on Rooftops

Green roofs can be combined with paved areas for recreation or sporting surfaces. ZinCo provide well-engineered systems and accessories for all kinds of use.

Driveways on Rooftops

ZinCo driveway systems meet all requirements and ensure durable functionality for use under driveways, fire brigade access or parking areas on rooftops and podium decks.

Stormwater Management Roof

ZinCo provide a well-engineered stormwater management roof system, designed to detain stormwater and release it in a pre-defined period.
Technical Data
Build-up height ca. 150 mm
Weight, saturated ca. 147 kg/m² *
Water retention capacity ca. 75 l/m²

Green Roofs and Solar Energy

Green roofs combined with solar energy provide all green roof benefits with no roof penetrations and enhanced solar panel efficiency.

Fall Protection

ZinCo provide various well-engineered safety systems for working on the roof which do not require any penetration of the roof membrane.
Green roof system build-up

1. Root Barrier

Protects the waterproofing of the roof from penetration by plant roots.

2. Moisture Retention / Protection Mat

Protects the root barrier from mechanical damage, as well as retaining water and nutrients.

3. Drainage Layer

Retains rainwater in troughs on the upperside, whilst the surplus water is safely drained away. Necessary ventilation to the root area is also guaranteed.

4. Filter Sheet

Prevents fine particles from being washed out of the substrate soil, thereby ensuring the efficiency of the drainage layer.

5. Growing Layer

Consists of ZinCo System Substrate, the perfect growing medium. It suits the needs of the green roof vegetation and provides for a stable growing environment.

6. Plant Level

Varieties of plants selected according to climate, landscape design, load bearing capacity and desired benefits to building owners and communities.

Provides Rainwater Management

Depending on the green roof design, the immediate water run-off can be reduced by 50–90 %, greatly reducing drainage flow rates. This enables the rainwater management system to be reduced in capacity, thereby greatly reducing construction costs.

Improves the Microclimate

Green roofs cool and humidify the surrounding air. Thus, they create a beneficial microclimate within their immediate area and contribute to improving the microclimate in urban centres. Coordinated urban green roof development can significantly reduce the so-called “Heat Island” effect.

Binds Dust and Toxic Particles

Green roof vegetation helps to filter out dust and smog particles. Nitrates and other harmful materials are absorbed by the plants out of the air and rainfall and bound within the substrate.

Improves Noise Protection

Planted areas are natural sound insulators and absorb more sound than hard surfaces. Green roofs reduce reflective sound by up to 3 dB and improve sound insulation by up to 8 dB. This is very effective for buildings near airports, noisy nightclubs and factories.

Provides Natural Biodiverse Habitats

Landscaped roofs compensate for green spaces, which are lost to building development. They provide natural habitats for wildlife and bring nature back into the cities.

Supports Recycling

Recycling symbol

Green roofs make extensive use of recycled and recyclable products, saving further valuable resources. Rubber, polyethylene and expanded polystyrene rigid foam are used in the production of drainage elements. The mono clay material Zincolit® and humus are the basis for the production of ZinCo rooftop garden system soils. The most important criterion is the quality of the product, which is tested by recognised institutes and research bodies.

Increases Water Retention

A green roof can reduce water run-off by 50–90 %; any remaining water flows from the roof with a delay. Outlets, pipes and drains can be reduced in capacity, thereby saving construction costs. Sewer costs can be reduced in some areas.

Reduces Renovation Costs

A green roof protects the waterproofing from climate extremes, UV exposure and mechanical damage. This greatly increases the life expectancy of the waterproofing and results in reduced maintenance and replacement costs.

Reduces Energy Costs

A green roof has the ability to buffer temperature extremes and improve the buildings energy performance.

Provides Additional Space

Converting or designing normally unused areas into green roofs, particularly for recreational or sporting use not only makes use of expensive space, but saves the costs of purchasing additional land. Green roofs often assist in gaining planning consent.