Green Sod or Grass Roof Options for Log Homes

[John17three]

I was curious if anyone knows of an LHBA home with a grass roof. Evidently in some building circles this is catching fire (pardon the expression). I have noticed in some European homes on the net they do a grass roof. Any ideas, pros/cons, throughts, or critiques on the top would be helpful.


969

[StressMan79]

Weight will b an issue. I don't know bout energy codes. I know they work well,but getting gvt 2 agree w/ anything nonstandard is a crap shoot.

[blane]

Who wants to mow their roof? :)

[loghousenut]

I think it'd be kinda cool. On the other hand, I had an ulcer the size of a dinner plate from worrying about what the code inspectors would say about my "weird" log home as it is.

[John17three]

Well, I live outside the city limits. As of now, no codes outside city limits in our county. No permits necessary. We just good ol' country folk in these parts. This is probably due to the fact that our county is so poor they have a hard enough time paying 1 guy to do inspections INSIDE the limits, let alone outside. And I'd just put a couple sure-footed African billy goats up there every once in a while. He'll eat till its gone, fertilize it while he's there, and then I'll hoist him down. See pic below! : -)

986

[Kick Forward]

that's ridiculous. I don't have goats, yet, but that roof looks too manicured for me to expect that that goat chewed all of that grass to its height. I've seen people also grow food up on their roof like strawberries and such. What if you ever get a leak? It's gotta make it more of a pain to repair up there. But if you do it, I look forward to hearing how it goes.

[blane]

That is hilarious.

[StressMan79]

that's ridiculous. I don't have goats, yet, but that roof looks too manicured for me to expect that that goat chewed all of that grass to its height. I've seen people also grow food up on their roof like strawberries and such. What if you ever get a leak? It's gotta make it more of a pain to repair up there. But if you do it, I look forward to hearing how it goes.


actually, my friend in college had sheep that kept his folks yard mowed very uniformly... there was the occasional land mine, but you'd be surprised how even mother nature can manicure your lawn.

[rreidnauer]

So no takers on being the first LHBA'er to have a living roof? The more I think about it, the more I like the idea.

[Mosseyme]

Go for it Rod,
We are watching!!

[edkemper]

Rod,

I fear roots and standing moisture. If I could have a one piece metal roof, maybe.

[rckclmbr428]

All the ones I've seen when I was working at an architectural firm I wasn't real impressed with

[donjuedo]

I like the idea of sunshine beating down on something I don't have to buy (and replace). Having read nothing about sod roofs, I'd be wondering how to prevent leaks, and how to keep it from sliding off like snow.

Something I have not seen considered is, rainwater catchment from a sod roof. That "first flush" is a helpful step in getting clean water, but with a sod roof, stuff won't come off in a batch, I'd think.


Peter

[rreidnauer]

Go for it Rod,
We are watching!!While it *could* be done on a 12:12 pitch roof, I don't know just how that would look. (maybe it'd be cool!) I've seen many methods of securing the sod. I don't believe roots are any issue. First, you aren't planting tress on there. And second, roots don't seek where water isn't. I imagine pond liner is how many are waterproofed. I seen modular systems for the actual sod retention, which is like a bunch of separately attached planter boxes. If it could be done affordably, I really like the idea of a hail-proof, super sound-proof, super climate control, never-needs-replacing, invisible to Google satellites roof.

Don't count me out on this possibility yet. I know my roof design can EASILY carry the load without modification.

[andrew mason]

While it *could* be done on a 12:12 pitch roof, I don't know just how that would look. (maybe it'd be cool!) I've seen many methods of securing the sod. I don't believe roots are any issue. First, you aren't planting tress on there. And second, roots don't seek where water isn't. I imagine pond liner is how many are waterproofed. I seen modular systems for the actual sod retention, which is like a bunch of separately attached planter boxes. If it could be done affordably, I really like the idea of a hail-proof, super sound-proof, super climate control, never-needs-replacing, invisible to Google satellites roof.

Don't count me out on this possibility yet. I know my roof design can EASILY carry the load without modification.



im with rod,

i really, really like the idea.

[rreidnauer]

The concept really is growing on me the more I think about it.

(ya see what I did there?)

[logguy]

No. But I'm a little slow. What'd ya do?

[rreidnauer]

"is really growing on me" :)

[loghousenut]

I didn't get it either.... Don't quit your day job, Rod. There's no profit in subtle puns.

[rreidnauer]

I didn't get it either.... Don't quit your day job, Rod. There's no profit in subtle puns.
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r519/Liberty_Acres/Pinkie_dunno.jpg

[BoFuller]

I got it right away. My Bro is a little slow though. He's one of those kids that they put up the signs "Slow Children At a Play".

[Shark]

haha that is awesome.....goat on the roof :)

It seems nifty, but at the same time scary....code stuff, resale (never know what the future might bring), weight, moisture....mowing....goat turds falling from above!

[mattyfu]

It's supposed to be really good as an insulator but as I understand it you need the right climate where you don't have to water it constantly and the roots won't cook from the heat of the house rising up to the roof.

There's a tourist trap *ahem* destination in BC called Goats On The Roof...
http://www.suiteamour.com/images/activities-coombs.jpg


Well, I live outside the city limits. As of now, no codes outside city limits in our county. No permits necessary. We just good ol' country folk in these parts. This is probably due to the fact that our county is so poor they have a hard enough time paying 1 guy to do inspections INSIDE the limits, let alone outside. And I'd just put a couple sure-footed African billy goats up there every once in a while. He'll eat till its gone, fertilize it while he's there, and then I'll hoist him down. See pic below! : -)

986

[LogHomeFeverDan]

Who wants to mow their roof? :)

LOL c'mon Blaine!!! You don't MOW it.....that's where you keep your pygmy dairy goats. Challenge is they'd keep it too short.

[loghousenut]

If that'sa pigmy goat, those must really be pigmy people.

And they are eating pygmy ice cream cones.