greggwebster's blog

I'm in the early planning stages of building my dream green home. I've been working on a solid plan for a little over a year now and have considered a tire home, underground home, and a straw bale home. After looking at 'final' projects straw bale won out in a land slide. The looks of the home are beautiful and still retains all the green features I am looking for. My question is about the roof. I understand the simple stuff like the color of the room matters, it only makes sense that a back roof will be hot while a light colored room will be cool.

But what do you make the roof out of? What is the material you use? I want to know everything from what is the supporting structure made out of to what goes on top of that and finally what is the final covering made out of? It seems everywhere I look it talks about the wall of the home being straw with a earth plaster but very few references to what to make the roof out of or choices when it comes to making a roof? Can you guys put together a simple guilde to the best ways to make a green room including what they are made of and the insulation you use on them.

Thanks,
Gregg Webster
Iowa City, IA