

Roofing tiles came in two shapes to make a complete and relatively waterproof roofing system called imbrex and tegula (the name was developed later by the Romans). The style of overhanging eaves also disappeared, as stone walls didn’t need protection from the rain. These were fired clay tiles that were less flammable than thatch.
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Somewhere between 700 and 650 B.C., the ancient Greeks developed roofing tiles. Plus, as Greek civilization grew, the risk from fires on thatched roofs became more of a concern. Once the Greeks began to use stone, the walls of their homes were strong enough to support heavier roof materials. The eaves were long enough that they could protect the mud bricks from the rain. The prehistoric Greeks used thatch roofs with overhanging eaves, supported by dried clay bricks. Join us to explore the roofs of ancient civilizations, including Greek, Chinese, Persian and Egyptian. While some cultures made their roofs into effigies of their gods and leaders, other cultures used roofs to communicate their stories and myths. Roofs also frequently reflected the cultural values of the civilization, especially those roofs on public buildings like temples. Others began to use the roof as a living space as well as protection from the elements.Īncient roof construction was not just about technological progress. Some ancient people invented new technologies that could support domed roofs. Instead, different cultures had different environmental challenges and different materials they could use to meet those challenges.Īncient civilizations discovered new building materials to use for their walls, which could support heavier roofs in new shapes. While most Paleolithic or prehistoric people made huts and tents from reeds, wood, or animal hides, once culture came along, roofs began to change. Video Description of Green Roofs by Jim Dyck & Richard Sutton on YouTube from Backyard Farmer.Since ancient times humans have had to find ways to protect their homes and valuables from the elements with a roof. Green roof power point presentation by Kent Holm of Douglas County Environmental Services and Andy Szatko, graduate student at UNL.ĭouglas County Green Roof Working Committee: Click on the 'Technical Memorandum' link to see the report put together by the committee. See photos and learn about the innovative ideas making green roofs a part of the landscape in Lincoln, Nebraska. Green Roofs for the Central Great Plains, a website from the UNL Department of Agronomy and Horticulture. Green roofs in Nebraska have also been around for a long time – if you count the green roofs on the sod houses of Nebraska pioneers! Regional projects using new technologies and materials are still relatively few in number, but interest and investment in green roofs is growing. Green roofs have been successfully used in Europe for decades. The Green Roofs for Healthy Cities web site provides an extensive list of green roof benefits. Runoff and temperature measurements from the site are already indicating environmental and energy benefits. The American Society of Landscape Architects recently constructed a green roof on their headquarters building in Washington, D.C. This video discusses stormwater management and the benefits of green roofs. Green roofs help manage stormwater by capturing rainfall. Connect fragmented green spaces together.Insullation from noise: up to 10 decibels per 3" of media.Extend the life of the waterproofing material on the building by 2-3 times.Reduce roof temperature, which lessens energy costs.Ability to meet regulations addressing stormwater.Can significantly slow down and/or capture stormwater compared to typical roof systems.It generally consists of drought-tolerant vegetation and light-weight growing medium layered over an efficient drainage system and waterproofing membrane. A green roof can cover any size building and be used on any building type given the building has been designed or retrofitted to structurally support the weight. Green roofs are becoming a critical component in "green" urban infrastructure, and can provide a wide variety of environmental, aesthetic and cost benefits.
