In recent years, there has been a surge in the popularity of rooftop gardens, especially in corporate offices. These green spaces not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of a building but also have numerous environmental and health benefits. From increased insulation to improved air quality, rooftop gardens can transform a mundane office building into a vibrant and sustainable space. However, before you start setting up a rooftop garden in your office building, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind.

Fire Regulations

All corporate offices have to abide by local fire regulations to ensure the building is safe for all employees, and your rooftop space is no different. When creating your roof garden, you’ll need to build it to ensure that it meets all fire safety requirements for your city or state. If you’re unsure of the local laws and regulations, contact OSHA or your local fire marshal before investing in materials and finalizing your landscape design.

If you’re seeking fire-resistant materials for your rooftop garden, Tile Tech’s roof pedestals and porcelain paving tiles fit the bill. In addition to resisting combustion up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit, our innovative adjustable roof pedestals help secure deck tiles in case of high winds. This can be especially useful for fire prevention during wildfire season when winds can cause embers to spread for up to several miles. 

Our porcelain roof pavers are also fire-resistant and able to withstand extremely high temperatures due to their kiln-fired manufacturing process. They also do not emit smoke or VOCs when exposed to flames, making them a safe choice for any businesses concerned about local fires or that need to meet local fire regulations.

Accessibility

Another key consideration when setting up a roof garden in your office building is accessibility. This not only includes safe and easy access for maintenance workers but also for persons with disabilities. A commercial rooftop garden should be accessible to all building occupants, including those with physical limitations, and all aspects of your office should be ADA-compliant, including your rooftop space.

This is why offices across the country choose Tile Tech’s roof pedestals for their outdoor hardscaping needs. Our adjustable pedestal system allows for easy leveling of the rooftop surface, making it suitable for wheelchair access. This not only ensures that everyone can enjoy the rooftop garden but also makes it easier to perform installation and maintenance. 

Load-Bearing Limitations

Load-bearing limitations are another crucial factor to consider when renovating your office’s rooftop. Before installing any greenery on your roof, it’s important to determine the maximum weight that it can bear. This is especially important for office buildings as their roofs typically aren’t designed to support the weight of a living space or garden.

For those concerned about finding load-bearing roof deck products, Tile Tech’s modular plant trays and turf trays are ideal. With an average maximum load limit of 11,141 pounds, the plant trays can support a wide variety of species and densities, while our adjustable pedestal system distributes the weight evenly, ensuring no stress is put on the roof structure.

Proper Drainage

When designing a rooftop garden, engineering proper drainage channels is essential. Without proper drainage, excess water can accumulate, causing potential leaks and damage to the roof membrane. This can not only be costly to repair but can also have negative effects on the building’s structure and, if mold or mildew grows, your employees’ health.

By using adjustable pedestals for your rooftop garden installation, you can easily create a slope that allows water to flow away from the surface of your pavers and into a designated area, keeping the rooftop safe and reducing the risk of water damage. At Tile Tech, we also design our roof pedestals with drainage in mind; many of the components of our system, including the stack cap, have holes to allow water to pass through without pooling.

Here at Tile Tech, we have everything you need to create the ultimate office green roof. Our unique plant tray system is an engineered paving system used in conjunction with our adjustable roof pedestals and roof pavers to create a stunning urban oasis for your commercial enterprise. To find out more about our full product selection as well as installation services, give Tile Tech a call today at 888-689-3910 or fill out our online contact form. We would be more than happy to send you a free catalog, quote, or product sample upon your request.