Turf Roof Advice Please

[Cpt Drinkloads (Rtd)]

I need some advice, I live on a narrowboat, it is about 20yrs old so it does not have the level of insulation that is installed on boats at this time. This is going to be my first winter in the boat and the insulation is 4" polystyrene and although my stove throws out a lot of heat, too much sometimes, I was thinking of ways to increase the thermal value.

Do I have to buy special turf?
Can I just pop down to B&Q and get some?
Would I have to water it during the winter?
Would it be avisable to put a waterproof membrane on the roof first?

So many questions not enough wine

Thanks

Dave

[Annpan]

I don't know much about it but I think most people have a living roof that has types of moss in it, rather than grass, so no I don't think you could get it down at B&Q... that said you might be able to plant it up yourself, perhaps with compost and seeds...

Depending on what your roof is made of I would say you most certainly need a waterproof membrane of some sort, but it may be a specialist material, also you might need to check if you can do it on the angle/or lack of roof that you have, I am not sure they work on perfectly flat roofs.

This link might help you.

ETA, the above link is for a book on the suject... this is a simple 'how-to' guide

[Green Aura]

There are a few things to consider

a) you can have a turf roof but are you going to want to keep watering it etc next summer, as soon as it heats up

b) depending on what your roof is made of you probably will need some waterproofing

c) it will weigh a lot, you'll need soil under the turf - is the structure strong enough to support it?

[witch way]

Narrow boats dont have a keel and have flat bottoms My first concern would be whether it would make the boat top heavy and liable to roll!

You would need a severe waterproof membrane between the soil and boat.

I think they only grow moss and small alpine plants on turf roofs, so I guess you would need an acidic soil.

You would need to water daily as it needs a constant water supply.

Thats all I know. ww

[Cpt Drinkloads (Rtd)]

Thanks guys, looks like it is back to the drawing board

Dave