Roof gardens from SOPREMA IRELAND

The growing demand for roof gardens

Roof gardens are an excellent way to convert unused areas into practical and sustainable spaces, creating biodiversity and habitats for wildlife and pollinators, reducing the urban heat island effect by regulating temperature, improving water retention and filtration by limiting the storm water run-off water into rainwater draining systems, and protecting the waterproofing and roof surface from environmental conditions (sun, rain, wind) and UV light.

Turning surfaces into green oases and creating new ecosystems is also beneficial for building users. Not only are green spaces aesthetically pleasing, they can also offer the occupants of residential and commercial buildings a space to retreat from city life and feel closer to nature, adding to the overall wellbeing.

Soprema’s roof gardens solutions

At Soprema, we understand the growing demand for robust and sustainable roofing solutions. We offer complete roofing solutions, from reliable, watertight waterproofing systems to compatible, bespoke roof gardens, including green roofs, brown roofs, blue roofs, and solar roofs.

Green roofs

Soprema green roof systems are the perfect way to create sustainable roofs, promoting biodiversity and turning what would otherwise be unused space into useful areas for people, wildlife and plants. Soprema can supply a wide range of  green roof systems including extensive and intensive build-ups to suit every structure, which is compatible with, and can be installed on Soprema roofing and waterproofing systems.

Our green roof systems are lightweight, low-maintenance, and easy to design and install. They include accessories including edge retaining profiles for outlining gravel paths, lawn edges, and vegetation-free zones on green roofs. Bespoke systems can be created for even the most complex designs. We provide specialist design and specification advice on green roof drainage, green roof soil mixes and green roof specification to assist you with your project.

Blue roofs

Blue roofs are a fantastic addition to the roof garden build-ups. Blue roofs have been developed specially to protect buildings and societies from floods by managing and utilising water from roof gardens. Rain on impermeable surfaces (roads, parking areas, roofs, etc.) generates a concentration of large volumes of water that saturates the sewerage networks and flows quickly downstream, increasing the risk of flooding and water pollution.

In Ireland, the use of SUDs (Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems) is required to reduce water pollution, reduce flooding risk, improve water quality, and create and sustain better places for people, plants, and animals. SUDs help to manage rainwater by mimicking natural hydrological processes to reduce stormwater runoff. Soprema offers multiple solutions to capture the rain and either slowly drain the water or repurpose the water for plant irrigation, building cooling, etc.

Solar roofs

Generating renewable energy to power residential and commercial buildings is becoming inevitable, especially if Ireland is to reach its target of generating 80% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Designing more solar roofs to generate solar energy is one way Ireland can build a more sustainable future. At Soprema, we offer complete solar roof solutions, including Soprasolar Fix - a revolutionary PV Fixing system that does not penetrate or compromise the integrity of the waterproofing or insulation during installation or maintenance of the photovoltaic system.

The Soprasolar Fix PV attachment system is designed for installing rigid, modular photovoltaic panel systems directly onto the waterproofing. Panels are fixed to a rail framework that is raised above the roof surface on support feet. The Soprasolar Fix support feet are welded directly to the waterproofing membrane with no cutting of the waterproofing or insulation required. This system ensures that the integrity of the waterproofing is not compromised throughout the lifetime of the photovoltaic panels.

Soprema’s roof gardens and compatible waterproofing systems

At Soprema, we can provide you with the complete roofing solution from waterproofing to roof gardens. We specialise in bitumen, liquid, synthetic, and structural waterproofing systems and can build bespoke roof gardens on top of each waterproofing. However, for blue roofs, we do recommend bituminous or structural waterproofing to be used.

Soprema as a one-stop-shop for the complete building envelope

At Soprema, we offer solutions for new build and refurbishment projects, for the complete building envelope, including roof, roof gardens, façades, balconies, walls, floors, podiums, foundation walls, basements, and car parks. As part of the complete solution, Soprema offers exceptional technical service and expertise, including:

  • Rainwater and wind uplift calculations
  • U-value/condensation risk analysis
  • On-site and technical support
  • Specifications
  • Advice on management and maintenance
  • Core sampling and thermal imaging surveys
  • In-house design team

With a list of well-trained Soprema approved contractors Soprema is a one-stop-shop for the complete building envelope, offering the highest-quality systems installed to the highest standard, all under one single-point warranty.

Get in touch

Contact our building envelope experts to find out how our roof garden and waterproofing solutions can be incorporated in your project.