The move to ‘green’ the planet via rooftop gardening, to convert ugly concrete jungles into sustainable, usable green living areas, is increasing. Roof top gardens offer significant health, environmental and societal benefits.  So why isn’t everybody doing it immediately? Well, it’s not without its challenges.

Major Challenges

Two major challenges facing rooftop garden design is managing the weight restrictions and drainage issues.  Solving these problems is Atlantis who have developed drainage cells of high strength, that are lightweight, easy to install, and compared to traditional methods, also low in cost.

These drainage cells were specifically developed to facilitate adding roof top gardens and planter boxes to building construction without having to add heavy aggregate for drainage. These cells drain excess water while retaining an optimum moisture level, which is ideal for promoting plant growth in planter boxes and roof garden applications.

An added bonus for the environmentally conscious is that Atlantis drainage cells are manufactured from quality recycled materials.  They offer long term durability and are resistant to chemicals.  Used in conjunction with Atlantis geotextile, it functions as a protective membrane for waterproofing and providing ventilation for concrete slabs which alleviates heat induced stress and cracking.  It’s ideal for creating landscape mounts, structural fill for planter boxes, podiums and roof top gardens.

Problems solved!  The next question is: Is it worth the bother? Here are a few reasons why rooftop gardens are worth the effort.

Enhancing Air Quality

Rooftop gardens enhance air quality.  Rooftop gardens take carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the air while releasing oxygen.  They absorb and transform sunlight and regulate ambient temperatures.

Rooftop gardens also lower both the surface and surrounding air temperatures through a process called evapotranspiration.  This process reduces ‘heat islands’ in city communities responsible for increasing power demands and which also contributes to air pollution and greenhouse gases. In fact, rooftop gardens are proven to absorb heat and insulate buildings better than traditional roofing.

Reduce Energy Costs

Rooftop gardens are proven to assist in the reduction of energy costs because less power is needed for temperature control. Air conditioners don’t have to work harder or longer and there are fewer spikes in energy demands which also means reduced energy bills for consumers. (The National Research Council of Canada did a study and found exposed roofs can heat up to as much as 70 degrees Celsius on warm days whereas the same roof type, protected by a roof garden, remains around 25 degrees Celsius.)

Harvest Rainwater

Rooftop gardens also create large catchment areas for capture and harvest of rainwater. Rooftop trees and vegetation reduce stormwater runoff and protect against erosion. Canadian researchers found that roof gardens reduced the amount of runoff by as much as 75%, and delayed the run-off time by 45 minutes.  In addition, run-off from bare roofs contain many pollutants, but this is also reduced as it is filtered through roof top garden soil.

Rooftop gardening also offers the opportunity to utilise these otherwise wasted building spaces to provide an affordable method to feed local populations. In Northern America, some restaurants are growing their ingredients on their own roof space.  One company has established rooftop greenhouse farms and sells their produce in local city markets – a brilliant idea offering fresh produce without the need for expensive freight and providing employment for locals.

Enhancing Community Life

In other parts of the world, people living in apartment buildings have converted their wasted roof and landing spaces into communal garden areas where they can plant and share herbs and vegetables among residents.  The health and cost savings for these families can be enormous.

Another benefit to rooftop ‘farming’ is the plants do not suffer from pest attacks like their ground-dwelling counterparts.  Snails and slugs are too lazy to slime their way up skyscrapers!

And then there is the obvious benefit of adding aesthetically pleasing improvements to otherwise ugly concrete cityscapes.  This also provides therapeutic benefits for those who live and work in high-rise buildings and offers space for relaxation or recreation that otherwise would not exist.

Finally, there are the savings from less wear and tear of roof structures during summer and winter months with contraction and expansion.  Roofs covered by vegetation enjoy longer lifespans because contraction and expansion are reduced.

Getting Started

Initially, when considering a rooftop garden, you will need to contact your local Council for their laws and guidelines.  Then you will need to determine what type of rooftop garden you want that meet the regulations.  The easiest gardens involve container plants. These can include vegetables suitable for growing in pots and planter boxes.  Just remember your rooftop garden will get very hot in summer, so choose plants that are more able to handle the added heat.  Also, choose plants with non-invasive root systems or limited root systems that don’t need a lot of soil.

Obviously, you will also need to ensure your roof structure is suitable for a rooftop garden so you should consult a professional, an engineer or architect to determine this.

For some inspiring rooftop garden ideas, talk to the team at NewTechWood. Whether you want stylish, eco-friendly screening or decking, we’ve got the products to help make your rooftop garden an oasis.

Unlike commercial landscaping, where path styling and material plays a significant role, many homeowners pay less attention when it comes to their garden paths and boardwalks, focusing instead on the practical need of providing a walking surface to approach their house…or the shed…or the yacht moored to their private jetty!

Garden paths can be more than just a practical solution for navigating one’s property. With a bit of creativity, you can transform your garden into an invitation to explore and enjoy every colourful nook and cranny, while adding interest and value to your home.  And today, you have products that make for more creative pathway possibilities and offer safer navigation and zero maintenance, which we will explore here.

Consider Purpose

Consider the purpose of your path.  Is it a practical link from the front gate to the front door?  Or to reach the garage?  Or is its function purely decorative…perhaps to meander lazily through a colourful maze of hollyhocks, larkspur and lavender in your showpiece garden?

Your choice of design and material will depend on your path’s purpose and location: practical and simple to avoid slips and trips in heavily trafficked areas or a creative work of art to add beauty. NewTechWood composite timber looks equally at home in a modern or rustic garden setting.  With its natural timber look and feel and choice of natural colours, it is a favourite with landscapers who want to use timber but avoid all the hassles that go with real timber, i.e. warping, rotting, termites, splinters!  You can match it easily to your decking, cladding or garden screening, too.

Does it Suit the Terrain

Will your path be crossing carefully tended grass, lumpy moist-retaining surfaces, or just plain sand? Will it need to be stable in very wet weather? Will it be raised, or involve steps? Is the area level, uneven, rocky or sloped? Not all path materials are suitable for all terrains.  Think of mud slides on sloping areas, and soft ground issues, for example.  While smooth slabs of rock and polished pebbles add rustic appeal to a garden, in the wet they can become slippery and unstable surfaces, and not everyone appreciates the moss that is attracted to it.

Size Matters

Size matters depending on space available and your budget.  In small spaces and light traffic areas, you can consider gravel with a few stepping stones. You don’t have to spend extravagantly to provide a pathway that is practical as well as eye-catching.

Plus there is little point spending a fortune on a path that winds all around the garden to link your laundry to the clothes line, especially as you’ll just end up cutting across the lawn on a more direct route!

Garden Paths Can Make a Statement

The front path is one of the first things people see when they enter your property. Does your path scream dull and uninviting?  Or does it welcome your visitors with the promise that a warm and thoughtful welcome awaits them?

If your budget is generous, your front path can be an amazing work of art, but at the other end of the scale, even the dullest concrete path can be rejuvenated with a border of colourful plants and a lick of paint.

If you can’t afford the amazing work of art but the idea of a concrete path leaves you cold, consider a timber deck path which will add warmth and character to your garden.  NewTechWood composite timber adds modern appeal to any garden and with a 25-year warranty, you know it’s going to stand the test of time (and cost a lot less than the pebble masterpiece pictured here.)

Illusions are Good

In modern suburbs where housing lots have become smaller, yard spaces have shrunk correspondingly.  Don’t let this thwart your creativity.

You can create the illusion of length or width in your yard by laying pavers or decking boards horizontally or longitudinally.

Consider the use of benches or garden statues at various points of your garden pathways for added interest.

Select groundcovers and winding pathways are creative and cost-effective, water saving use of a small backyard instead of lawn.

Choice of Materials

Your choice of paving material will depend on its function and also needs to complement its surroundings – garden and architecture, colour and styling.

Natural Timber is at home in modern and rustic gardens, although you will have to consider regular maintenance needs and termites.

If your heart is set on timber, you can consider composite products, such as NewTechWood, which looks like the real thing but is termite resistant. It’s also UV and fade-resistant and totally maintenance free.

Pavers will last and are also relatively maintenance free, but not all are non-slip and will attract moss in damp areas.  They also stain easily due to their porous nature. Composite timber, like NewTechWood, looks great in modern and rustic settings and is stain resistant, thanks to its Ultrashield technology which provides 360 degree capping to protect the core.

Cement is a cheap option, although in time it will crack, fade, is hot to walk on and stains easily.  On the other hand, it’s great for children’s bikes and skates. You can also spend more and have stamped concrete with or without colour. It is patterned to resemble paving, flagstones and tiles. However, some concrete surfaces, when painted, can be quite slippery when wet, even with a non-slip coating applied. NewTechWood composite timber has an R11 slip rating and is chosen for public walkways, boardwalks and parks internationally, so you know it’s safe.

Your cheapest path options are mulch, gravel or pebble.  A popular look these days combines bluestone gravel interspersed with concrete pavers, but you can also replace the gravel with ground covers or small plants to add colour and interest.  If you want the pebble look, go with crushed pebble as it is not as slippery.  Another drawback with pebble is it tends to roll and travel and get caught in shoe soles.

Mulch pathways look at home in natural and rustic garden settings.  It’s the easiest and lightest material to work with and an obvious choice for the budget conscious. Some tree lopping services provide free mulch just so they can get rid of it.  Just remember that beautiful red or black mulch you buy today will soon turn grey, and within a few years you will have to top it up as it will decompose.  The beauty of a product like NewTechWood is it is fade resistant and testing has proven it will still be as beautiful in 25 years time as it is the day you buy it.

To stop your mulch or gravel material from spreading, you can use decorative edging, such as a row of small rocks, or a plastic or concrete edge that is readily available from any garden store.  Landscape timbers also look great as a border in rustic settings.

 Last, But Not Least: Safety

If you live in an area where there is a lot of rain or snow and ice, you need to be extra mindful of the type of material you use. A smooth pebble pathway may look extraordinary, but becomes impractical and downright dangerous in wet weather.  Check for slip ratings, where applicable.

Do a risk assessment. Does it need to be child-friendly? You can avoid accidents by determining if toys like roller skates may be used safely or will snag in paving gaps, sending your precious offspring headfirst into the garden beds.

Will you be carrying washing baskets or equipment that impairs your vision of where you’re stepping?  Choose a path that instils confident walking without the need to look where you’re placing your feet.

Then there is the little matter of shoe type. Stilettos appreciate a smoother, crevice free surface, whereas workman’s boots or everyday sandals are not so fussy about terrain.

Consider also different stride lengths and gait patterns – the paving needs of a tall adult are quite different to that of a child or shorter person if confronted with stepping stones. If your pathway is not level or presents any kind of hazard, consider garden lighting to assist visitors to find their way safely in poor light.

Do you live in a bushfire area? Don’t let that deter you from a rustic ‘timber’ look – NewTechWood composite timber comes with a BAL 29 fire rating!

And finally, whether your pathway needs are humble or grand, there is no denying that a carefully chosen pathway beats raw dirt any day!