Thrifty Homes
It’s back to the future all over again for the environmental movement. Maybe those Bronze Age architects with their homes of straw and sod had the right idea after all. Indeed modern builders have now returned to these old school building materials and are leaving bricks and asphalt behind.
Sod Roofs
Whatever happened to the first person to make this suggestion: Let’s move large sections of our landscape, plants and all, up to the top of our buildings? As it turns out, the plan has its advantages.
• Sod roofs, also known as green roofs, collect and store rainwater, thereby reducing runoff from storms. This helps prevent local flooding, keeps contaminants out of the groundwater and lessens the burden on water treatment facilities.
• Rooftop greeneries trap airborne particulates, counteract air pollution and are fire resistant.
• Dark asphalt roofs act as a heat sink, especially when they dominate a neighborhood. It raises the temperature all around. Green roofs and walls do not reflect energy from the summer sun and instead help cool the air.
• Sod roofs provide excellent insulation and last longer than conventional roofs.
• Birds love the extra garden space. It gives them more places to hide and hunt for food.
• Green roofs are aesthetically pleasing.
Straw Bale Walls
Straw Bale houses can be constructed to look like any other modern suburban home on the outside. But the distinctive thick walls create an old world ambiance inside. Those walls can insulate a home enough to completely eliminate the need for air conditioning, even in 100 degree heat. This, of course, reduces stress on our overtaxed electrical grid and takes greenhouse gas emitting air conditioners offline.
sod roof, green roof, straw bale home, straw bale construction
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