Traditional Sod 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.

Traditional sod roof.

Lightly water the layer of sod placed on the roof. 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. 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. They keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

However roof gutters were used on traditional sod roofed homes at least over entrances as we show in this sod roof home photo. The name sod roof simply refers to its visual material that consists of peat with grass growing on it called sod or turf. Its distribution roughly corresponds to the distribution of the log building technique in the vernacular architecture of finland and the scandinavian peninsula. 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. However the material that performs the most essential task water proofing has historically always consisted of birch bark. 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. However the material that performs the most essential task water.

The birch bark and the sod are placed on sloping wooden roof boards. 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. On a hot day for instance say 80 degrees fahrenheit sod roofs heat up to only 85f where are traditional roofs can go as hot as 180f. Where necessary use your utility knife to cut the sod pieces to fit.

During the warmer months sod roofs can help to cool down your house compared to other roofing materials. The load of approximately 250 kg. 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.

Don t leave sod overhanging the roof edge. In addition sod roofs and the plants therein also help to protect your roofing materials. Sod roofs also act as natural insulators. The name sod roof simply refers to its visual material that consists of peat with grass growing on it called sod or turf.

A sod roof is a traditional nordic type of green roof. These roofs are covered with sod on top of several layers of birch bark on gently sloping wooden roof boards.