The first step in the installation of this 3,100-square-foot rooftop was to roll out the 135-mil VersiFleece TPO membrane, directly adhering it to the concrete deck using Versico’s DASH™ Adhesive applied in evenly spaced beads. Once applied, the DASH Adhesive cured within a short 20 minutes, speeding up the installation process and creating a strong bond between the deck and the VersiFleece membrane. In addition, DASH Adhesive provided increased energy efficiency for this building by adding an inherent R-value.

Once the membrane was in place, all of the TPO membrane seams were overlaid with pressure-sensitive TPO and flashing was completed to ensure the system was monolithically watertight. This flashing detail would also strengthen the seams against any potential damage. At this point, a water test was conducted to ensure that the membrane was waterproof. After the membrane passed inspection, the installation crew installed two layers of three-inch polystyrene insulation to maximize the rooftop’s thermal efficiency.

The next step in this roof garden was the installation of Versico’s 40-mil Root Barrier, which would ensure that the roofi ng membrane and insulation were protected from the vegetative roots that would inevitably grow from the roof garden’s sedum mats. Versico’s high-performance Root Barrier also served to enhance the watertight, monolithic assembly of the roofing system, further ensuring the rooftop’s long-term performance.

After the Root Barrier was in place, the crew from Metropolitan installed Versico’s MiraDRAIN® G4 Drainage Composite, which acts as a combined filter fabric, moisture retention mat, heavy-duty protection fabric, and drainage mat. MiraDRAIN G4 can hold nearly two pounds of water per square foot, enabling the roof garden to effectively manage stormwater.

Once all of the underlying performance-enhancing components were in place, it was time for the aesthetically appealing components to be added. Four inches of Versico’s growth media was installed directly over the drainage composite, followed by sedum mats, which were placed uniformly across the growth media. Versico’s pre-vegetated sedum mats enabled this project to be completed quickly and reduced the material and installation cost, providing
a cost-effective alternative to other roof garden sedum options. The pre-vegetated sedum mats were rolled out on the rooftop, much like the VersiFleece TPO membrane underneath, and provided immediate vegetative coverage across the roof garden space. Seeded with more than twelve varieties of sedum, Versico’s pre-vegetated sedum mats created a uniquely colorful and textured roof garden for the SCCC Learning Resource Center and library.

The final step in this project was to install Versico’s aluminum edging and plaza pavers, which added a finishing, aesthetically pleasing touch to this already beautiful rooftop and created functional green space for college staff and students to utilize.

Begun in late August 2017, this exquisite roof garden was completed in early September, within just three short weeks. The speed of installation enabled the college to open this new green space to its campus community before the end of the year. While speed can sometimes compromise performance in rooftop construction, SCCC can rest assured that is not the case with their rooftop garden, which is sure to see decades of students reaping the benefi ts of fresh air, sunshine, and luscious plant life.