Grass on Roof Norway History and Modern Solutions

The concept of grass on roofs in Norway has a rich history. The country's first grass roof was built in the 1960s.

Norway's unique climate and geography make it an ideal location for green roofs. The country's mild winters and cool summers allow grass to thrive even in urban areas.

The first green roof in Norway was built on a residential building in Oslo. It was a small, experimental project that aimed to reduce the urban heat island effect.

In modern times, grass on roofs has become a popular solution for Norwegian architects and builders.

Roofs in Scandinavia have been covered with birch bark and sod since prehistory.

Sod roofs were almost universal in rural areas until the beginning of the 18th century.

Tile roofs gradually superseded sod roofs except in remote inland areas during the 19th century.

Corrugated iron and industrial materials threatened ancient traditions, but 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, and open-air museums and the preservation movement created a reservation for ancient building traditions.

Sod roofs have begun to reappear as an alternative to modern materials, and every year since 2000, an award is given to the best green roof project in Scandinavia by the board of the Scandinavian Green Roof Association.

In Norway, turf roofs have been popular for hundreds of years and come in different varieties, some bright green and almost velvety, others golden and looking like they're growing wheat or oats.

The advantages of turf roofs are many, including being very heavy, which helps to stabilize the house, providing good insulation, and being long-lasting.

Modern grass roof solutions are being implemented in various parts of the world, including Norway. Norway is still widely using turf roofs on newly built cabins.

In modern turf roof construction, a combination of materials is used to create a functional and sustainable roof. Bitumen roofing felt is nailed to the sarking to provide a waterproof layer.

A dimpled plastic drainage membrane is then laid over the top to form a drainage layer. This membrane allows for water to pass through while keeping the turf in place.

Turf roofs are a popular choice in Norway due to their eco-friendly nature and ability to blend in with the surrounding environment.

In Norway, traditional roof building practices involve using turf, which is essentially a layer of sod on top of birch bark on gently sloping wooden roof boards.

The load of a sod roof helps to compress the logs and make the walls more draught-proof, keeping them straighter.

Moss was also used in the past to fill gaps between logs, reducing wind draughts and preventing rot.

Turf roofs are very heavy, weighing around 250 kg per m², which helps to stabilize the house.

They also provide good insulation, keeping the house warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Roofs in Norway are a unique blend of tradition and functionality. Turf roofs, known as "torvtak" in Norwegian, have been a staple in Norwegian architecture for hundreds of years.

Some turf roofs are bright green and velvety, while others are golden and resemble wheat or oats. Flowers and small trees can even be mixed in with the grass for a unique look.

Turf roofs are very heavy, which helps to stabilize the house. They also provide good insulation and are long-lasting, requiring special skills and materials to prepare for the turf topping.

You'll see turf roofs everywhere in Norway, a testament to their enduring popularity.

Norwegian roof building has a long history, with sod roofs being a tradition for hundreds of years.

The load of a sod roof is approximately 250 kg per m², which helps to compress the logs and make the walls more draught-proof.

Sod roofs are also a good form of insulation in a cold climate, with the birch bark underneath ensuring the roof will be waterproof.

The materials used for sod roofs are abundant and inexpensive, making it a well-suited option for a barter economy.

In the past, makers of Norwegian log cabins would place moss in between the logs to reduce wind draughts and prevent the wood from rotting.

Turf roofs in Norway are a tradition and you will see them everywhere, with no two roofs being the same.

Some turf roofs are bright green and almost velvety, while others are golden and look like they're growing wheat or oats.

The advantages of turf roofs are many, including being very heavy, providing good insulation, and being long-lasting.

Special skills and materials are required to prepare the roof for the turf topping, but it's a labor-intensive process that's worth it.

Turf roofs have been a part of Norwegian culture for so long that they're not some new architectural trend, but a time-honored tradition.