Inverted roofing system and method

Abstract

The present invention provides an inverted roofing system and method that is more thermally efficient, inexpensive and quicker to install, better able to withstand environmental conditions, and produces the appearance and some functional benefits of a traditional natural green roof ballast top-layer. It does not require a sloped roof gradient, and is capable of a user controlled mass per square foot roof load. The inverted roofing system and method provides a ballast top-layer that is lightweight, and maintains properties that will prevent wind uplift.

1 . An inverted roofing system for a roof deck comprising:
 a water impermeable layer supported by said roof deck;   an insulation layer supported by said water impermeable layer;   a diffusion layer supported by said insulation layer; and   a ballast top-layer supported by said diffusion layer, the ballast-top layer comprising at least one artificial turf layer and at least one infill, and wherein there is an air buffer between at least a portion of the at least one infill and a portion of the artificial turf layer opposite that of the at least one infill.   
     
     
         2 . The inverted roofing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the water impermeable layer comprises at least one water impermeable material, wherein the water impermeable material is selected from rubberized asphalt, impermeable sheeting, liquid sealant, spray sealant, solid sealant, solid membrane, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The inverted roofing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the insulation layer comprises at least one insulation material, wherein the insulation material is selected from solid insulation, foam insulation, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The inverted roofing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the diffusion layer comprises at least one diffusion material, wherein the diffusion material is selected from board, sheeting, coarse ground, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The inverted roofing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one artificial turf layer comprises a base and a plurality of turf strands, wherein the turf strands protrude upwards and away from the base. 
     
     
         6 . The inverted roofing system according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one infill comprises a granular material or liquid that is capable of filling the space between the artificial turf strands.