Traditional Sod Roof

Don t leave sod overhanging the roof edge.

Traditional sod roof.

The birch bark and the sod are placed on sloping wooden roof boards. Where necessary use your utility knife to cut the sod pieces to fit. In addition sod roofs and the plants therein also help to protect your roofing materials. The name sod roof simply refers to its visual material that consists of peat with grass growing on it called sod or turf.

They keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. A sod roof is a traditional nordic type of green roof. A sod roof or turf roof is a traditional scandinavian type of green roof covered with sod on top of several layers of birch bark on gently sloping wooden roof boards. Place sod pieces on top of the potting soil layer across the roof.

The load of approximately 250 kg per m of a sod roof is an advantage because it helps to compress the logs and make the walls more draught proof. Sod roofs also act as natural insulators. Both of the roofs shown above use an eaves overhang but no roof gutters were present. Maintenance is minimal and as long as you have excellent waterproofing beforehand most sod roof owners see an excellent return on investment over traditional roofs thanks to savings on their electricity bills.

These roofs are covered with sod on top of several layers of birch bark on gently sloping wooden roof boards. However the material that performs the most essential task water proofing has historically always consisted of birch bark. Lightly water the layer of sod placed on the roof. The load of approximately 250 kg.

Until the late 19th century it was the most common roof on rural log houses in norway and large parts of the rest of scandinavia. Make sure to check the roof periodically for watering and as funny as it sounds any need for weeding. During the warmer months sod roofs can help to cool down your house compared to other roofing materials. However the material that performs the most essential task water.

Nordic sod roofs are not flat roofs. Several layers of birch bark is placed on wooden roof boards and the sod is then added on top of the bark. Our photo of a traditional sod roof above right shows the use of a wooden board and birch bark as a soil dam as well as a drip edge. Sod roofs are largely free for the labor the materials are easily found in most back yards sod is one of the most fireproof materials going and it makes excellent insulation for all but the most.

However roof gutters were used on traditional sod roofed homes at least over entrances as we show in this sod roof home photo. So aside from the insulation sod roofs can also help you to save on your heating and cooling bills.