Roof Garden, Can My Roof Support It?

Montassis on 29/11/2020 - 09:12

I’m looking at putting a couple of planter boxes on my roof to grow vegetables. Just wondering if anyone had any engineering experience and could tell me if my roof could support it.

I was looking at getting two timber planter boxes (pretty lightweight, like crate style timber) that hold 1.5 cubic meters of soil. Looking at a weight conversion online, that’s about 2.25 tonnes, which I found surprising and sounds like a lot to put on a roof.

The structure is a pretty simple timber frame with corrugated roof. You can see in the photos below, I’m wanting to put them where the table is now on the roof, and there is an interior shot as well.

https://share.icloud.com/photos/05aygLikMyWJ80VRSbKZ97CiQ

So what do we think? Great way to grow vegetables or great way to destroy my toilet?

Home & Garden

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 29/11/2020 - 09:16
    +15

    No bloody way.

    Also, the conversion looks correct.

    Even if it holds it up, when it rains, it is going to weight even more. Much more.

    • Montassis on 29/11/2020 - 09:21

      Yeah good point

      • [Deactivated] on 29/11/2020 - 09:30

        Get rid of whatever vine that is (looks like grape) and play some string beans or similar vine type vegetable.

        Alternatively, that's a good spot for avocados.

  • Austaurean on 29/11/2020 - 09:17
    +4

    I see 2.25t turning into triple that weight or more when it gets wet.. and unless you have the necessary beams and posts in place it will be an inhouse atrium…

  • boomramada on 29/11/2020 - 09:19
    +4

    Talk to a structural engineer.

  • ihbh on 29/11/2020 - 09:22

    Don't grow any giant pumpkins!

  • Ssilver7 on 29/11/2020 - 09:35
    +3

    One way of looking at it is 25 adult men standing on that section of roof. Would you feel comfortable being on the toilet with them up there above you?

    • holdenmg on 29/11/2020 - 09:38
      +3

      I don't think you can fit 25 adult men standing on that section of roof with social distancing.
      They wouldn't be up there for long, they would be helping you do the crossword in person.

      • [Deactivated] on 29/11/2020 - 11:05

        Sounds like a typical truck stop org… gentlemen's gathering.

        • holdenmg on 29/11/2020 - 11:36
          +1

          25 adult men and some Kegs. lol

  • pjetson on 29/11/2020 - 09:49
    +3

    Isn't 2.25 tonnes almost the same weight as two Toyota Corollas, or one and a half Camrys?

  • TheBilly on 29/11/2020 - 10:14

    The short answer is no, do not try this.

  • EightImmortals on 29/11/2020 - 10:19

    Look for a plan B. Grow 'some' veges in large posts ( not too many) get some wall pots that you can bolt to the brick walls and grow other things, strawberries, herbs etc. You could even dynabolt some shelves to the wall and put pots on them. (advice assume you have al least some idea of what you are doing. :) )

    • try2bhelpful on 29/11/2020 - 10:51

      Plus one on this. You can get kits nowadays to bolt to walls. You can, even, get watering systems so you can water them remotely.

      Is that an upside down table on your roof?

    • Montassis on 29/11/2020 - 11:34

      Yes this was actually plan A! I started growing herbs by bolting vertical pots on the brick wall, but wanted to go next level with tomatoes! I think I’ll try a planter a smaller tomato planter at ground level

      • EightImmortals on 29/11/2020 - 11:35

        Yeah tomatoes don't need much space, I've got one growing out of an orchid pot ATM..with the orchid still in it..rogue tomato.

  • [Deactivated] on 29/11/2020 - 11:40

    Sell the house

  • JimmyF on 29/11/2020 - 12:00
    +2

    Looking at that roof photo, I would be worried about standing on it, let alone putting 2t+ on it!

    • EightImmortals on 29/11/2020 - 17:36

      Hey don't knock a 3 million dollar Sydney investment!

  • WreckTangle on 29/11/2020 - 19:14
    +1

    Why is there a table on your roof?

    • holdenmg on 29/11/2020 - 19:36

      For when the UberEats Drone delivers food to the 25 adult men (above) who feel like something to go with their Beer.
      (Needs a LZ)

    • Montassis on 02/12/2020 - 14:14

      Storage :D my land is like 3.5 meters in width

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