The main components utilized in Greenroof-Roofscapes® systems are the waterproofing membrane, layers for protection, drainage, water retention, and aeration, layers of insulation, soil overburden & growing media, topped with a layer of plants & vegetation
The roof is often a forgotten element on most buildings. When designed and built as a multi-functional element, a roof space can be made cost effective, provide significant environmental contributions, and create aesthetically pleasing, versatile, and usable outdoor spaces.
Barrett’s Roofscapes® are sustainable roofing & landscaping systems that offer the owner and society many environmental benefits, low lifecycle costs, and government incentives. These assemblies are designed to turn unused space into a park-like garden setting with a keen sensitivity to environmental enhancement.
Combining our 90+ years of roofing & waterproofing expertise with retained horticultural technology, Barrett has partnered with the most prominent suppliers of pavers, vegetation, growing media, and more to offer building owners a top-to-bottom solution for their ideal green roof backed by a comprehensive Barrett Single-Source System Warranty.
Barrett works with Approved Contractors to provide a selection of time-proven waterproofing systems that form the basis for moisture protection in our Roofscapes® assemblies.
Because we are not tied to only one approach of vegetative system, building owners and specifiers can choose among the options that will best suit their individual needs and budget.
We offer complete Single-Source System Warranties of up to 25 years, covering materials and labor, waterproofing, thermal performance, overburden removal, pavers, and vegetation.
Barrett Roofscapes® Systems are comprised of two distinct yet complementary approaches for maximizing rooftop and structural deck performance:
Terra-SCAPES™ systems are engineered for living, vegetative environments, ranging from lightweight extensive green roofs to intensive landscapes and urban agriculture. These assemblies are designed to provide significant environmental benefits like improved stormwater retention, enhanced thermal performance, reduced heat island effect, and enriched visual aesthetics.
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Plaza-SCAPES™ systems are designed for hardscape and amenity-driven applications such as roof terraces, paver decks, and plazas where durability, accessibility, and architectural finish are key. These assemblies protect the underlying waterproofing while supporting pedestrian traffic, furnishings, and active use, ultimately turning rooftops into functional, recreational spaces.
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Together, these systems provide designers and building owners with flexible solutions—whether the goal is to create vibrant, usable outdoor spaces or sustainable, high-performance green roof systems.
Each Roofscapes® assembly is designed around a system of interdependent components which function as a natural planting habitat, creating new types of public & private spaces.
The structural deck serves as the foundation of any Roofscapes® assembly and must be engineered to support the full system weight, including all vegetative components, overburden, and applicable live and dead loads. Common deck types include cast-in-place concrete, precast concrete, metal decking with a cover board, and plywood. Proper design and load capacity are critical to ensure long-term structural integrity and system performance.
The success of a green roof relies heavily on the performance of the waterproofing system. In addition to preventing water ingress, waterproofing systems must also be able to provide the building with thermal performance, roof drainage, air tightness & vapor control, and protection from any structural damage caused by root penetration.
Barrett offers a wide range of high-performance waterproofing systems that can be used in Terra-SCAPES™ assemblies. RamTough 250® (hot fluid-applied rubberized asphalt) delivers unmatched durability and is the benchmark for performance. Black Pearl® (cold applied rubberized asphalt) provides similar protection without the hassle of a heated system. RamProof GC™ (single-component elastomeric rubberized asphalt) offers efficiency and ease of installation, and HyppoCoat GC™ (single-component elastomeric modified urethane) offers the same efficiency with added flexibility for complex detailing.
To ensure long-term protection from root growth, Terra-SCAPES™ assemblies are designed with Terra-BARRIER™ RB root barriers. Made with high-density polyethylene, these durable sheets are engineered to effectively arrest root penetration and redirect roots to a horizontal growth plane. This helps to lock in vegetation, preventing root intrusion and damage to the waterproofing membrane while increasing resistance to wind up-lift forces.
View Root BarriersThe alternating balance between effective drainage, supplementary water retention, and sufficient aeration for plants is critical to the long-term success of any green roof assembly, ensuring vegetation thrives while the underlying structure remains protected. Terra-DRAIN™ is a comprehensive line of drainage, retention, and aeration components engineered to perform across a wide range of Terra-SCAPES™ applications.
Terra-DRAIN™ materials are available in multiple configurations including “P” (panel), “EN” (entangled mesh), “DD” (dimpled), and “NF” (needled felt), each designed to meet specific project needs. Terra-LITE™ Granular (drainage aggregate) can also be used as a viable option for drainage in select Terra-SCAPES™ assemblies.
View Drainage ProductsExtruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation is typically recommended for all Roofscapes® assemblies. Its closed-cell structure resists water absorption, maintains long-term thermal performance, and provides the compressive strength needed to support overburden such as growing media, vegetation, and pedestrian loads. In Roofscapes® PMR (Protected Membrane Roof) assemblies, the insulation is placed above the membrane to help shield the waterproofing from UV exposure, physical damage, and thermal cycling, ultimately extending the life of the roof while enhancing building performance.
View Insulation PartnersTerra-FILTER™ Filter Fabric is placed above the drainage component to prevent fine particles from the growing media from migrating into and clogging the drainage system. This helps maintain consistent water flow and long-term functionality of the assembly.
View Fabrics & SheetsTerra-LITE™ is a range of engineered lightweight growing media blends specially formulated to address the essential requirements for plant survival, stormwater management, and structural safety in Terra-SCAPES™ green roof assemblies.
Each blend of Terra-LITE™ growing media is engineered to balance key components like weight, vegetation, drainage, water retention, and plant support to accommodate the regional and environmental specifications of each project. The media is tested to ensure it meets internationally recognized performance standards and regulations.
View Soil & Growing MaterialThe vegetation layer is the visible and functional surface of the green roof assembly, consisting of a variety of plant species selected based on project-specific factors like region, climate, system type, and overall performance goals. Sedums, succulents, and other drought-tolerant plants are used in Terra-SCAPES™ Extensive and other lightweight, low-depth assemblies. Complex, load-bearing systems like Terra-SCAPES™ Intensive can support a wider range of plants including shrubs, perennials, and even small trees. Alternative options like Roofscapes® Sedum Mix Blankets, turfgrass, seed mixes, and Terra-TRAY™ modules are available to accommodate more specialized assemblies.
View Plants & VegetationBarrett’s Terra-PAVE™ architectural deck paver system is used in Roofscapes® assemblies to create durable, stable walking surfaces and defined amenity areas within the system. Available in a variety of materials, sizes, and finishes from top brands, Terra-PAVE™ systems are guaranteed to deliver premium quality and a pristine finish for plazas, rooftop decks, walkways, patios, and more.
View Pavers & PedestalsMultiple Roofscapes® assemblies are designed with a stone or aggregate ballast layer depending on the application, from added weight and protection in PMR assemblies to a durable, low-maintenance edge around perimeters, penetrations, and drainage in vegetated assemblies. Barrett works with suppliers all across the country to source material based on individual project needs.
The success of a roofing & waterproofing system is ultimately reliant upon the accuracy of the installation. Each demo walks through a Barrett system step by step, straight from the crews who install them.
Pictured: Among the many Barrett Roofscapes® installations already installed throughout the globe, four projects have won the prestigious “North American Awards of Excellence” presented by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities.
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