Guide
Rooftops are one of the most rewarding — and most demanding — places to put a planter. Weight, waterproofing, wind and access all come into play. Here's how POBOX designs, engineers and makes rooftop planters — supplied install-ready and fitted by your trades with our guidance, or installed by our own crew on specialist rooftop work — that perform for the long term.
Unlike ground-level beds, a rooftop has finite structural capacity, a waterproof membrane that must be protected, and far more exposure to wind and sun. Get these right at design stage and a rooftop garden thrives; get them wrong and you risk leaks, damage and costly remediation.
Every rooftop has a load limit. We work to the structural engineer's allowance — accounting for the planter, saturated soil and plants — and keep planters light so more of that budget goes to greenery. Where needed we provide weights and setout for engineering sign-off.
Aluminium is around a third the weight of steel, which makes it ideal up high. You get a large, architectural planter without overloading the structure. More on the benefits of aluminium →
We detail bases, drainage outlets, liners and adjustable feet so water moves away cleanly and the membrane is protected. Raising planters on feet promotes airflow and drainage and keeps standing water off the roof.
Higher up means stronger wind. We consider planter proportions, weight and fixing so units stay put and plants are sheltered, and we can integrate screening for both privacy and wind protection.
Getting planters onto a roof takes planning — lifts, cranes, stair access and site coordination. Rooftop and crane lifts are specialist work our own crew can take through to final fix, so we plan access early and measure on site with the Leica ICS 50 digital templating unit so everything fits first time, even on irregular or sloping rooftops. Where you'd rather your own trades install, we supply install-ready with shop drawings, setout and fixing details.
Layout, weights and details to suit the structure.
Precise setout with the Leica ICS 50.
Lightweight aluminium planters, finished to suit.
Access planned; supplied install-ready for your trades, or placed and fixed by our own crew on specialist rooftop lifts.