Monday, September 10, 2012

GRASS ROOFS

 Norwegians have their own way of going green, and quite literally. For hundreds of years houses in Norway have been covered with turf. And they come in different varieties. Some are bright green and almost velvety. Others are golden and look like they’re growing wheat or oats. A number of turf roofs have flowers mixed in with the grass, and a few have small trees (See the last one.)


The advantages of turf roofs (also called sod roofs) are many. They are very heavy, so they help to stabilize the house; they provide good insulation; and they are long-lasting







 Turf roofs in Norway are a tradition and you will see them everywhere. Roofs in Scandinavia have probably been covered with birch bark and sod since prehistory. During the Viking and Middle Ages most houses had sod roofs.



Needs mowing.



A bit bushy.  



In rural areas sod roofs were almost universal until the beginning of the 18th century. Tile roofs, which appeared much earlier in towns and on rural manors, gradually superseded sod roofs except in remote inland areas during the 19th century. 







Corrugated iron and other industrial materials also became a threat to ancient traditions. But just before extinction, the national romantics proclaimed a revival of vernacular traditions, including sod roofs. A new market was opened by the demand for mountain lodges and holiday homes. At the same time, open air museums and the preservation movement created a reservation for ancient building traditions. From these reservations, sod roofs have begun to reappear as an alternative to modern materials.







Every year, since 2000, an award is also given to the best green roof project in Scandinavia by the board of the Scandinavian Green Roof Association.


Humor -

WELL PLANNED

Two women met for the first time since graduating from high school.  One asked the other, "You were always so organized in school, Did you manage to live a well planned life? "  " Yes," said her friend.  "My first marriage was to a millionaire; my second marriage was to an actor; my third marriage was to a preacher; and now I'm married to an undertaker."

Her friend asked, "What do those marriages have to do with a well planned life?"

"One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, and four to go."



4 comments:

  1. Wow on that last one! Think of all the extra snow it could hold! Having lived in NH when we had five and a half feet of snow in 17 days and people's sheds were collapsing from the weight of the snow; there's a reason that steeply pitched roofs are common there.

    All that extra snow... But those are pretty, though.

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  2. Those rooves/ er "roofs"? are amazing!

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  3. I couldn't even think flooding in those areas are possible. Well, think about it. Grass roofs can prevent rainwater from dripping, or even from accumulating within your house's vicinity. It's because green roofs absorb rainwater at about 50 to 85 percent of its volume, thus reducing potential flooding in the area and minimizing the pollution that it may cause. Not only that, it also gives your house a distinct and unique design as well.

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  4. I love the house that has flowers on top of its roof; it’s very chic! Seems like the Norwegians definitely know how to be environmentally friendly, but I’m not surprised because it’s in their culture to be traditional. Giving an award to the best green roof is a great idea to encourage more people to follow this trend. I hope they will retain these grass roofs because these offer a lot of benefits to both nature and humankind. I’ve never been in Norway, but I’m looking forward to visiting this place and taking some photos of these houses to serve as my personal souvenir. :)


    Lenore Lung

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