Equus Soprema Green Roofs

Green roofs are becoming a defining feature of sustainable building design across New Zealand. With increasing expectations around environmental performance, urban resilience, and building amenity, green roofs offer a practical way to enhance both function and aesthetics at roof level. By integrating vegetation, stormwater moderation, thermal benefits, and a high-performance waterproofing system, they bring measurable outcomes for designers, building owners, and occupants alike.

A green roof is constructed by installing a root-resistant waterproofing membrane, followed by a drainage mat, geotextile filter layer, and a project-specific growing medium that supports vegetation. The foundation of the Equus system is the DUO LANDSCAPE cap sheet — a modified bitumen membrane enriched with root-resistant additives and dual reinforcement for long-term performance under soil and planting. This creates a fully protected waterproofing envelope capable of supporting extensive, simple-intensive, or intensive planting schemes.

Green roofs can be built as cold roofs or as part of a DUOTHERM Warm Roof, which incorporates thermal insulation and a vapour barrier to deliver continuous thermal resistance and condensation control.

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Environmental & Sustainability Performance

Green roofs help reduce stormwater loads by slowing water release, easing pressure on urban drainage networks during heavy rain. They contribute to increased biodiversity, support pollinator ecosystems, and reduce the urban heat-island effect — all key sustainability outcomes for modern urban development.

Improved Building Performance

A planted roof surface provides natural thermal moderation, reducing interior temperature swings and improving overall comfort. It also delivers acoustic benefits, particularly for buildings in busy metropolitan settings.

Hundertwasser Art Centre green roof web2

Aesthetic & Amenity Value

Green roofs transform unused roof space into visually appealing, accessible areas. Whether used for gardens, communal terraces, or simply to enhance views from neighbouring buildings, they significantly elevate the architectural value of a project.

Green Star Alignment

Green roofs support Green Star points through storm water management, heat-island reduction, ecology, and operational energy performance when paired with a warm-roof assembly.

Green Roof Types

Extensive Green Roofs

Lightweight, low-maintenance systems designed primarily for moss, ground covers, and hardy grasses. They offer ecological and visual benefits at the lowest structural demand.

Simple Intensive Green Roofs

Moderate soil depth supporting lighter shrubs and ornamental planting. Ideal for aesthetic enhancement with manageable maintenance needs.

Intensive Green Roofs

Comparable to a full garden, supporting shrubs, trees, planters, seating, and even water features. These systems provide the highest level of amenity but require greater structural capacity.

System Build-Up Overview

Waterproofing Layer: DUO Landscape cap sheet over compatible base sheet, providing durable, root-resistant protection.
Drainage Layer: Loose-laid drainage mat promotes free water flow and protects the membrane.
Filter Layer: Geotextile fabric prevents fines from clogging the drainage layer.
Growing Medium: Engineered soil mix selected for depth, weight, and planting requirements.
Optional Warm Roof Assembly: Vapour barrier + thermal insulation for high thermal performance.

Compliance, Quality Assurance & Warranties

The DUO LANDSCAPE and DUOTHERM LANDSCAPE green-roof configurations are CodeMark Certified and BRANZ Appraised, supporting a clear compliance pathway for designers and consenting authorities. Equus provides project-specific support rom design to completion, including specifications, detailing, green-roof integration, and on-site quality assurance through certified applicators. Warranties match the standard DUO membrane offer, including long-term Equus coverage and manufacturer support when installed to specification.

Certified Installation

Installed by trained, approved professionals to ensure quality and lasting performance.

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