Green roofs are a great blend of sustainability, design, and functionality. However, without proper green roof waterproofing measures in place, they can quickly become a liability. Green roof waterproofing is much more than just adding a few plants on top of your building. It’s a carefully layered system designed to prevent water damage, reduce structural stress, and support long-term vegetation growth.
At Americover, we help contractors and builders get it right. By using a combination of vapor barriers and Enka® drainage mats, you can create a watertight environment for your rooftop vegetation while safeguarding the integrity of the building underneath.
Here’s a closer look at how vapor barriers and Enka® mats can work together to make your green roof project a success:
What Is a Green Roof?
A green roof is exactly what it sounds like – a rooftop covered in live vegetation. While they’re often hailed for their energy efficiency, curb appeal, and low carbon footprint, green roofs are also complex systems that require a lot of thought.
Typically, a green roof system consists of three main components: a waterproofing membrane, a drainage system, and a growing medium such as soil. Each of these layers has a purpose. Together, they help divert rainwater, improve insulation, reduce heat build-up, and much more.
The key to keeping all of this working is effective green roof waterproofing. That’s where vapor barriers and drainage mats come in.
Vapor Barriers and Green Roof Waterproofing
In green roof waterproofing, vapor barriers serve as an important moisture control layer. They’re designed to stop water vapor from seeping down onto your structure, preventing rot, mold, and long-term deterioration of building materials.
When you’re supporting vegetation growth on your rooftop, water vapor can condense within your roof system. Over time, this moisture build-up can weaken wood and concrete structures, encourage mold and mildew, and even damage plant roots and other system components.
A high-performance vapor barrier prevents these issues by creating a sealed environment that keeps moisture at bay. In some cases, the right vapor barrier can also double as a root barrier, protecting your infrastructure from plant overgrowth where you don’t want it happening.
Related Article: Root Barrier Installation Tips & How They Work
Enka® and Green Roof Waterproofing
While vapor barriers stop remaining moisture from seeping into the building, Enka® products focus on what happens before water has a chance to pool.
Enka® products are engineered to redirect water safely away from the structure. Whether it’s rain, irrigation, or condensation, Enka® mats manage moisture in a way that preserves your waterproofing system and ensures that water moves efficiently towards designated drainage points.
Their drainage mats use a layer of geotextile fabric to allow for multi-directional water flow. This filters out soil and debris while still allowing water to pass through. Together, vapor barriers and Enka® mats ensure your green roof system is equipped to manage water at every stage of maintenance.
Notes on Green Roof Waterproofing
When waterproofing a green roof, it’s important to balance water management and plant health. Your system needs to be able to keep water and plant roots out of the building envelope while still providing a controlled environment for growth.
Using the right combination of materials is what makes all of this possible. Vapor barriers provide the seal, while Enka® products manage the flow, working together to create a long lasting, moisture controlled roofing system.
Related Article: Best Products for Green Roof Construction
Americover Can Help With Your Green Roof Waterproofing
At Americover, we stock a full range of vapor barriers and Enka® products to help you tackle green roof projects with confidence. Here’s a look at some that we recommend for your next green roof waterproofing game plan:
- Enkadrain®: A lightweight drainage mat with a polymeric core and nonwoven geotextile layers. Ideal for green roofs that require relief from hydrostatic pressure.
- Enkamat®: A 3D nylon mat that helps stabilize slopes and retain moisture. Perfect for steep green roof installations or areas where erosion is a concern.
- Enkaturf®: Engineered for subsurface drainage in synthetic turf applications. No perforated pipe needed. Enkaturf® handles water flow with minimal infrastructure.
- Pro Crawl Anti-Mold Vapor Barrier with MPT™: A 10 mil Class 1 Vapor Barrier with excellent tensile strength and low moisture permeability. Exceeds ASTM E1745 Class A, B, and C standards.
- Root Barrier: A polyethylene barrier designed to block root intrusion and redirect roots to safer zones. Prevents costly damage to green roof waterproofing layers and building infrastructure.
Get Your Green Roof Waterproofing Products Today
Americover is the smart source for your green roof waterproofing needs. Trusted by contractors and distributors across the country, our American-made products combine reliability with quality and innovation.
As an Americover customer, you will receive the personalized support of a dedicated account manager to simplify the ordering process and ensure the best solution for every one of your projects. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is here to answer your questions and fulfill orders Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. If you would like to speak with a representative, call us at 760-388-6294 or contact us.