“Green Roof” – Rhino Linings Waterproofing Membrane Solution

Green Roof Waterproof Membrane for the Rooftop of this Three-story Home

This three story home was built on the side of the hill in Lorne, Victoria, overlooking the Great Ocean Road and Bass Strait. To take advantage of the spectacular views afforded by this hillside residence, the new owners decided to repurpose the home’s rooftop and create a green roof waterproofing membrane.

This creative choice creates a useful outside area for plants and recreation and adds aesthetic value. In addition to improving the home’s general livability, the green roof also increases energy efficiency.

Benefits of a Green Roof: Space, Energy Efficiency, and Aesthetics

A green roof provides several advantages for homeowners. It allows for added space to create gardens and entertainment areas for families and guests to enjoy. Another advantage of this type of roof is that it can help reduce heating and cooling costs.

The green roof was a perfect fit for the home’s hilltop location because it served a dual purpose and offered aesthetic benefits.

Structural Challenges for Roof Waterproofing Membrane

However, architectural plans revealed that the added weight of soil and landscaped gardens, the extra steel required, and the engineering costs to support the existing cantilever roof would significantly increase building expenses, a concern for both the homeowner and the architect. Alternative solutions were needed for a waterproof membrane on the roof.

Innovative Green Roof Waterproofing Solutions by Rhino Linings Expertise

The architect who managed the entire design and construction process, “Designers by Nature”, Warrnambool Vic, contacted Peter from Chemblast (Rhino Linings Warrnambool) following the advice given by Rhino Linings Australasia company Engineer Denis Baker to discuss the Rhino waterproofing options for their weight-saving structure. These options would completely seal the surface and perform well over the building’s design life for grass roofs in Australia.

As seen in the images, the roof was subsequently built out of timber.  This medium was chosen to significantly lower the weight of the cantilever roof, negating the need for steel support posts to hold the roof up. 

The Application of Rhino TUFF STUFF: A Superior Waterproofing Membrane Solution

The ultimate solution came in the form of Rhino TUFF STUFF, an Australian-manufactured, spray-applied polyurethane protective coating. Chemblast (Rhino Linings Warrnambool) sprayed the Australian-manufactured Rhino Tuff Stuff, completely sealing the roof surface and box gutters. Rhino Linings TUFF STUFF, a spray-applied polyurethane protective coating, provides a seamless membrane that is a Class III Wet Area Membrane,  root resistant, uniform in thickness, and will not become brittle if exposed to UV or high temperatures. Rhino Tuff Stuff offers long-term durability (CSIRO Testing), and its application capabilities are well-recognized in the waterproofing industry.

Work completed by Chemblast Industrial Coatings

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the purpose of a green roof?
A green roof improves energy efficiency by insulating the building, reduces stormwater runoff, and enhances air quality. It also adds aesthetic value and creates a space for plants and outdoor activities.

2. What is a disadvantage of a green roof?
The main disadvantage is the higher initial installation cost due to the need for structural support, along with ongoing maintenance to keep the vegetation healthy.

3. What are the three types of green roofs?

• Extensive: Lightweight, low-maintenance, with shallow soil for smaller plants.
• Intensive: Supports larger plants, requires deeper soil and more upkeep.
• Semi-Intensive: A mix of both, moderate soil depth, supports a variety of plants with balanced maintenance needs.

For further information, you can contact Rhino Linings directly at 1300 887 780 to discuss your requirements or contact us to find out more about the Rhino Linings product range.