Repair Systems — Protection & Overburden
Filter fabric systems — planter boxes and podiums
Technical product reference for geotextile filter fabric systems used in planter box, green roof, and podium slab waterproofing remediation on Australian Class 2 strata apartment buildings.
What are filter fabric systems — planter boxes and podiums?
Geotextile filter fabrics are permeable, non-woven synthetic textile sheets placed between the growing medium and the drainage layer in planter boxes, green roofs, and landscaped podium slabs. Their primary function is filtration — allowing water to pass freely downward through the fabric from the growing medium into the drainage cell or aggregate layer below, while retaining fine soil particles that would otherwise migrate down and progressively clog the drainage void. Without filter fabric, fine particles from the growing medium migrate into the drainage layer with every irrigation and rainfall event — accumulating over time until the drainage void is clogged, waterlogging the growing medium above and creating hydrostatic pressure against the waterproofing membrane below.
Filter fabrics also perform a separation function — maintaining a clean interface between the growing medium and the drainage layer, preventing the two from intermixing under the compression of plant roots, foot traffic, and settling over time. In planter box applications on Class 2 strata buildings, filter fabric must be continuous across the full floor area of the planter box and lapped up the planter box walls above the drainage layer — without a full perimeter lap up the walls, soil particles can bypass the fabric at the edges and enter the drainage void.
Geotextile filter fabrics for planter box and podium slab applications are almost universally non-woven — manufactured by needle-punching polypropylene or polyester fibres into a three-dimensional mat structure that provides high porosity, high flow rate, and particle retention simultaneously. Non-woven geotextiles are selected over woven fabrics for these applications because their randomised three-dimensional fibre structure prevents particle blinding — where fine particles become lodged in the regular openings of a woven fabric and progressively seal it. The correct GSM (grams per square metre) weight of filter fabric is selected based on the growing medium particle size distribution, the drainage design flow rate, and the loading conditions above.
Product Reference
5 products — 4 brands — non-woven polypropylene and polyester geotextile filter fabrics — planter box, green roof, and podium slab drainage filtration and separation — always specify with drainage cells below and growing medium above
Geofabrics Filterwrap
Non-woven polypropylene geotextile — 140 gsm — light duty — residential and landscaping
Light-duty non-woven polypropylene geotextile — 140 gsm — confirmed for planter boxes and roof gardens — 2m × 50m rolls — widely distributed through Australian landscape and trade suppliers
Specifier Note
Confirm required GSM against the growing medium type, loading, and drainage design with the landscape architect before ordering.
System Description
Filterwrap is Geofabrics Australasia's light-duty non-woven geotextile for residential and landscaping drainage, filtration, and separation applications. It is confirmed for use in planter boxes and roof gardens — providing separation between the growing medium and the drainage aggregate or drainage cells below, and allowing water to flow freely into the drainage layer while retaining soil particles. Available in 2m × 50m rolls, Filterwrap is widely distributed through Australian landscape and building trade suppliers including Arborgreen, Convic Australia, and similar. The three-dimensional non-woven structure allows water to pass freely while preventing fine particle migration — the characteristic of non-woven fabrics that makes them suitable for planter box filter applications where woven fabrics would progressively blind. Highly porous — high flow rate — lightweight and easy to handle and cut in the field. Filterwrap is appropriate for standard residential and light commercial planter box and podium garden applications on Class 2 strata buildings where a light-duty (140 gsm) non-woven geotextile is the correct specification. For heavier loading, more demanding filtration, or commercial podium garden applications, specify a higher GSM product (Bidim Green, TerraTex PP, or similar).
Technical Properties
- Non-woven polypropylene geotextile — 140 gsm
- High porosity — high flow rate — three-dimensional fibre structure
- Confirmed for planter boxes, roof gardens, retaining wall drainage, subsoil drainage
- Available in 2m × 50m rolls — lightweight and easy to handle
- Widely distributed through Australian landscape trade suppliers
Limitations
- Light duty (140 gsm) — not for heavy loading, commercial podium gardens, or applications requiring higher GSM filter fabric
- Confirm required GSM with landscape architect or hydraulic engineer before specifying — 140 gsm may be insufficient for some growing medium types or loading conditions
- Must be lapped up planter walls minimum 150mm above drainage cell layer
- Adjacent rolls must overlap minimum 300mm — no butt joints
- Confirm current availability, roll dimensions, and pricing with Geofabrics Australasia or local stockist before ordering
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
Geofabrics Bidim Green
Non-woven recycled PET geotextile — equal biaxial strength — ISO 9001 certified — Australian manufactured
Premium recycled PET non-woven geotextile — Australian manufactured — equal biaxial strength — ISO certified — confirmed for planter boxes and green roofs — available in multiple GSM weights
Specifier Note
Confirm correct GSM weight, polyester vs polypropylene suitability, and current product range with Geofabrics Australasia before ordering.
System Description
Bidim Green is Geofabrics Australasia's premium non-woven geotextile made from a combination of recycled PET (polyester) and virgin plastic material — manufactured in Australia in an ISO-certified facility. Bidim Green is confirmed in the Geofabrics Product Selection Guide for preventing water build-up in planter boxes and protecting waterproof membranes in sub-surface foundation applications. It provides excellent filtration, separation, and drainage properties and is the only bi-dimensional geotextile on the market — having equal strength properties in both directions, which simplifies specification and installation as the roll orientation does not affect performance. Bidim Green is available in multiple GSM weights — confirm the correct weight for the specific planter box or podium garden application with Geofabrics Australasia. The recycled PET content makes Bidim Green an appropriate specification for projects with sustainability and recycled content requirements. The Australian manufacturing origin ensures consistent supply without import lead times.
Technical Properties
- Non-woven polyester (PET) geotextile — recycled PET + virgin material
- Australian manufactured — ISO 9001 certified facility
- Equal biaxial strength — same performance in both roll directions
- Confirmed for planter boxes and sub-surface drainage protection
- Available in multiple GSM weights — confirm required weight with Geofabrics
- Excellent filtration, separation, and drainage properties
Limitations
- Polyester (PET) material — polypropylene is generally more chemically resistant to soil-borne chemicals and fertilisers — confirm suitability with Geofabrics for the specific growing medium and soil amendment programme
- Multiple GSM weights available — confirm the correct weight against the growing medium type and loading with Geofabrics Australasia before ordering
- Must be lapped up planter walls minimum 150mm above drainage cell layer
- Adjacent rolls overlap minimum 300mm
- Confirm current GSM range, roll dimensions, and pricing with Geofabrics Australasia before ordering
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
Polyfabrics TerraTex PP
Non-woven 100% polypropylene staple filament geotextile — 600 / 900 / 1200 gsm — ISO 9001 certified
Non-woven 100% polypropylene staple filament geotextile — 600, 900, and 1200 gsm — ISO 9001 certified — civil engineering grade filtration and separation — same supplier as DRAINmasta DrainCel drainage cells
Specifier Note
Confirm required GSM — 600 gsm is the lightest TerraTex PP weight. For standard planter box applications, a lighter standard-grade geotextile may be the correct specification. Confirm with Polyfabrics.
System Description
Polyfabrics TerraTex PP is a 100% polypropylene staple filament, highly needle-punched non-woven geotextile available in 600, 900, and 1200 gsm weights, manufactured under ISO 9001 quality management certification. It is confirmed for filtration, separation, and reinforcement applications. In planter box and podium garden applications, TerraTex PP provides a heavier-duty filter fabric option than standard landscape-grade geotextiles — appropriate for commercial podium gardens with heavy growing medium, high loading, or stringent drainage design requirements. Polyfabrics Australia is a geosynthetics specialist with civil engineering expertise — the same organisation that supplies DRAINmasta DrainCel drainage cells. Specifying TerraTex PP filter fabric alongside DRAINmasta DrainCel drainage cells from a single supplier simplifies procurement and ensures compatibility across the drainage layer system. The 600 gsm weight is the lightest in the TerraTex PP range — typically more than sufficient for planter box and podium garden filter applications. The 900 gsm and 1200 gsm weights are civil engineering grades for road, rail, and heavy infrastructure applications — not typically required for standard Class 2 strata planter box or podium garden work. Confirm the correct GSM with Polyfabrics before ordering — over-specifying GSM adds cost without improving filtration performance.
Technical Properties
- 100% polypropylene staple filament — highly needle-punched non-woven
- Available in 600, 900, and 1200 gsm — ISO 9001 certified
- Filtration, separation, and reinforcement applications confirmed
- High chemical resistance — polypropylene — suitable for soil-borne chemical environments including fertilisers
- Civil engineering grade — same supplier as DRAINmasta DrainCel drainage cells — single-supplier procurement
Limitations
- Civil engineering grade product — 600 gsm is typically more than sufficient for standard planter box applications — confirm required GSM with Polyfabrics before ordering
- Higher cost than standard landscape-grade geotextiles — confirm whether civil engineering grade is specified or required for the project
- Must be lapped up planter walls minimum 150mm above drainage cell layer
- Adjacent rolls overlap minimum 300mm
- Confirm current roll dimensions, GSM range, and pricing with Polyfabrics Australia before ordering
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
Hydrophilic Non-Woven Geotextile
Hydrophilic non-woven polypropylene geotextile — planter box and membrane protection — waterproofing trade supply
Hydrophilic non-woven needle-punched polypropylene geotextile — specifically marketed for planter box filter fabric and waterproofing membrane protection — 1m × 50m and 2m × 50m rolls — UV resistant
Specifier Note
Confirm GSM weight and confirm the fabric is appropriate for the specific growing medium and loading conditions before ordering.
System Description
The Waterproofing Supplier Australia stocks a hydrophilic non-woven needle-punched polypropylene geotextile specifically marketed for planter box filter fabric and waterproofing membrane protection applications. The hydrophilic properties ensure rapid water passage from the growing medium into the drainage system while effectively retaining soil particles — the fabric actively draws water through its structure rather than relying on gravity and pressure alone. This product is specifically marketed to waterproofing professionals and construction trades rather than landscape supplies — making it a practical procurement source for waterproofing contractors who are supplying and installing both the membrane system and the planter box drainage layers on the same Class 2 strata project. Available in 1m × 50m and 2m × 50m rolls — the 1m wide format is convenient for lapping up planter walls and for narrow planter boxes where cutting a 2m roll would create significant waste. UV-resistant polypropylene construction provides long-term performance in outdoor planter box conditions. Also described as providing membrane protection during backfilling — acting as a cushion between the growing medium and the waterproofing membrane surface where drainage cells are not used.
Technical Properties
- Hydrophilic non-woven needle-punched polypropylene geotextile
- High-flow filtration — rapid water passage — soil particle retention
- UV-resistant polypropylene — suitable for outdoor planter box conditions
- Available in 1m × 50m and 2m × 50m rolls — 1m width convenient for wall laps
- Marketed specifically for planter box and waterproofing membrane protection applications
- Recyclable materials — lightweight and flexible for complex planter box corners
Limitations
- Confirm GSM weight with The Waterproofing Supplier before ordering — product marketed primarily by application rather than GSM specification
- Must be lapped up planter walls minimum 150mm above drainage cell layer
- Adjacent rolls overlap minimum 300mm
- Confirm current product specifications, GSM, and pricing with The Waterproofing Supplier before ordering
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
Generic Non-Woven Geotextile
Generic non-woven geotextile — landscape and trade supply — various suppliers
Generic non-woven polypropylene geotextile — widely available through landscape and drainage trade suppliers across Australia — standard companion product to drainage cells — confirm GSM and roll dimensions with supplier
Specifier Note
For residential planter boxes, generic landscape grade is appropriate. For commercial podium gardens or certified specifications, use a branded product with confirmed GSM and quality documentation.
System Description
Generic non-woven polypropylene geotextile filter fabric is widely available through Australian landscape, drainage, and construction trade suppliers, often supplied alongside drainage cells as a companion product. Atlantis Corporation sells geofabric rolls with their Flo-Cell drainage cells. Project Material, Eco Sustainable House, and landscape trade suppliers stock standard non-woven geotextile in 1m and 2m wide rolls. These generic geotextile products are appropriate for standard residential and light commercial planter box and podium garden applications on Class 2 strata buildings where a standard landscape-grade filter fabric is the correct specification and brand or specific certification is not required by the project specification. For projects requiring certified geotextile with documented GSM, filtration performance, and quality management certification, specify a branded product (Filterwrap, Bidim Green, or TerraTex PP). Confirm GSM, roll width, roll length, and material (polypropylene or polyester) with the supplier before ordering — generic geotextile is sold under various specifications and the GSM may not be labelled consistently.
Technical Properties
- Non-woven polypropylene (or polyester — confirm with supplier) geotextile
- Standard landscape grade — widely available through Australian trade and landscape suppliers
- Used as companion product to drainage cells — commonly sold alongside Atlantis Flo-Cell
- Available in 1m and 2m wide rolls — confirm roll length with supplier
- Appropriate for standard residential and light commercial planter box applications
Limitations
- GSM weight may not be clearly documented — confirm with supplier before ordering
- For commercial podium gardens, heavy loading, or projects requiring certified geotextile, specify a branded product with confirmed GSM and quality certification
- Must be lapped up planter walls minimum 150mm above drainage cell layer
- Adjacent rolls overlap minimum 300mm
- Do not use woven geotextile as filter fabric in planter box applications — specify non-woven only
- Confirm current product specifications, GSM, roll dimensions, and pricing with local supplier before ordering
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
Filter fabric system comparison
Side-by-side comparison of the five geotextile filter fabric systems covered on this page. Confirm all product selections against the current manufacturer TDS before specifying.
| Product | Brand | Material | GSM range | Application grade | Certified | Key restriction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filterwrap | Geofabrics Australasia | Non-woven polypropylene | 140 gsm | Residential and light commercial — planter boxes and roof gardens | Geofabrics Australasia quality | Light duty — confirm 140 gsm is sufficient for growing medium type and loading — lap walls 150mm — overlap 300mm |
| Bidim Green | Geofabrics Australasia | Non-woven recycled PET + virgin polyester | Multiple GSM — confirm with Geofabrics | Residential to commercial — planter boxes and sub-surface drainage protection | ISO certified — Australian manufactured | Polyester — confirm chemical resistance for growing medium and soil amendments — confirm correct GSM weight before ordering |
| TerraTex PP | Polyfabrics Australia | Non-woven 100% polypropylene staple filament | 600, 900, 1200 gsm | Civil engineering grade — commercial podium gardens and heavy applications | ISO 9001 certified | Civil grade — 600 gsm typically more than sufficient for planter boxes — over-specifying adds cost — confirm required weight with Polyfabrics |
| Hydrophilic Non-Woven | The Waterproofing Supplier | Non-woven polypropylene — hydrophilic | Confirm with supplier | Planter box and membrane protection — waterproofing trade supply | Confirm with supplier | Confirm GSM before ordering — hydrophilic formulation for rapid water passage — available 1m and 2m wide rolls |
| Generic Non-Woven | Various — Atlantis / Project Material / landscape supply | Non-woven polypropylene (confirm with supplier) | Confirm with supplier | Residential and light commercial planter box — companion product to drainage cells | No documented certification in most cases | For commercial or certified specification use a branded product — confirm GSM and non-woven (not woven) before ordering — lap walls 150mm — overlap 300mm |
FILTER FABRIC WITHOUT A FULL PERIMETER WALL LAP WILL FAIL — SOIL BYPASSES THE FABRIC AT THE EDGES
Filter fabric placed flat across the floor of a planter box without lapping up the walls will be bypassed by soil at every edge — fine particles migrate around the perimeter of the fabric and into the drainage cell void below. This progressive edge bypass defeats the entire purpose of the filter fabric, clogging the drainage void from the perimeter inward over time. Filter fabric must be lapped up all four planter walls to a minimum height of 150mm above the top of the drainage cell layer. Secure the fabric to the wall at the top of the lap with tape, staples, or mechanical fixings before growing medium is placed — once growing medium is placed against an unsecured lap, the lap cannot be corrected without removing the growing medium.
DO NOT USE WOVEN GEOTEXTILE AS FILTER FABRIC IN PLANTER BOX OR GROWING MEDIUM APPLICATIONS
Woven geotextiles have a regular grid aperture that progressively blinds under the fine particle load of growing medium, potting mix, and soil — fine particles become lodged in the regular openings and seal the fabric over time, eliminating drainage function. Non-woven needle-punched geotextiles have a randomised three-dimensional fibre structure that resists blinding under fine particle loading. All filter fabric specified above drainage cells in planter boxes and roof gardens must be non-woven. Do not substitute woven geotextile — shade cloth, landscape fabric, or similar products — for non-woven geotextile filter fabric in drainage cell applications.
ADJACENT ROLLS MUST OVERLAP MINIMUM 300MM — BUTT JOINTS ALLOW SOIL BYPASS
Where two adjacent rolls of filter fabric meet, the rolls must overlap by a minimum of 300mm — not butt-jointed edge to edge. A butt joint between two rolls creates an unsealed line gap through which fine particles can migrate from the growing medium directly into the drainage void below. Overlapping rolls by 300mm ensures that fine particles cannot find a path through the lap regardless of how the fabric settles under the growing medium weight. Mark the 300mm overlap line on the first roll before placing the second roll — do not rely on visual estimation to achieve the required overlap.
FILTER FABRIC IS THE FINAL LAYER BEFORE GROWING MEDIUM — CONFIRM THE FULL DRAINAGE SYSTEM IS COMPLETE BEFORE PLACING FABRIC
Filter fabric is the last installed component before growing medium is placed. Once the filter fabric is in position and growing medium is placed above it, all layers below — drainage cells, protection board, and waterproofing membrane — are permanently inaccessible without full removal of the growing medium and fabric. Confirm that the waterproofing membrane has been flood-tested and passed, the drainage cells are correctly positioned and cover the full floor area, the drainage outlets are correctly installed and unobstructed, and the filter fabric is correctly lapped at all walls before growing medium placement commences. Do not place growing medium over filter fabric until every lower layer has been inspected and confirmed correct.
Disclaimer
This page provides general technical information only. Final product selection must be confirmed against the current manufacturer technical data sheet, project specification, growing medium particle size distribution, hydraulic design flow rate, loading conditions, GSM requirements, landscape architect specification, and NCC requirements. Filter fabric must be non-woven — not woven. Filter fabric must be lapped up all planter walls minimum 150mm above the drainage cell layer. Adjacent rolls must overlap minimum 300mm. Once growing medium is placed, all layers below the filter fabric are permanently inaccessible. Do not rely on this reference as a substitute for professional hydraulic engineer, landscape architect, or waterproofing consultant advice.