Iceland Green Roof

Green roofs can reduce stormwater runoff via water wise gardening techniques.

Iceland green roof.

Most of the geothermal heated greenhouses in iceland and located in the southern region of the country. Green roof basics green roofs also known as vegetated roofs have been in existence for thousands of years and have been used for winter insulation and summer cooling. For a conventional roof. The roof is made of stone slabs and covered in turf.

Scandinavians are serious about their green roofs. 30 of iceland was forested when it was settled mostly with birch. But there is a reason why scandinavians like these green roofs so much. Torfbæir were the product of a difficult climate offering superior insulation compared to buildings solely made of wood or stone and the relative difficulty in obtaining other construction materials in sufficient quantities.

The practice of covering roofs in greenery was a common way to protect the homes and their residents from iceland s bitingly cold winters. A study presented at the green roofs for healthy cities conference in june 2004 cited by the epa found water runoff was reduced by over 75 during rainstorms. Geothermal energy is utilized in iceland for snow melting aquaculture greenhouse heating industrial drying the manufacture of skin care products and more. They are not only a beautiful feature for a house.

Records say that the church was built by the carpenter páll pálsson while the lock and hinges of the church door were made by þorsteinn gissurarson who was a well known blacksmith from hof. The roof is made of stone slabs covered by natural turf. In iceland green roofs have actually been quite common for centuries. They even have a competition every year to determine the best green roof project in scandinavia by the scandinavian green roof association.

Icelandic turf houses icelandic. In its life however the green roof would save over 200 000 with two thirds of that coming from reduced energy needs. An indispensable part of standard architecture. They ve had them for a while now and it doesn t look like they re going anywhere.

In general specific knowledge from other countries is positive and applicable elsewhere in central europe in all respects. The first geothermal power plant was build in iceland in 1969 today there are seven. The vegetation on these roofs also helps to soak up rainwater and may even reduce annual runoff by 40 to 90 percent depending on roof design plant varieties and roof pitch according to the. Modern lightweight green roofs emerged from research and development work centered in germany in the 1960s and 70s.

Water is stored by the roof s substrate and. It is one of six churches in iceland still standing which are preserved as historical monuments.