It is good practice to consider replacing your roof every 20 to 30 years. If you are looking to replace your roof, you may want to start looking into the different options that are now available. Roofing products have come a long way and energy efficiency and the environment have made their mark on the roofing trade. Roofing materials today involve much more recycled and salvaged materials than ever before all thanks to the new green way of life.
Recycled roofing material
Recycling is popular because it means there is not as much junk in our landfills. Using recycled materials is also a great way to manage natural resources and nowadays roofing materials are mostly made from recycled products. The rubber shingles you can buy are most likely 90% discarded tires and metal roofing options will be composed of recycled copper and steel.
Most people worry that recycled materials will not look as good but in reality recycled composite shingles strongly resemble Spanish tiles and slate. Not only do they look as good but they are able to withstand fire and weather just as well too. Most recycled products also come with warranties and are a great way to keep costs down without losing quality. Of course, you may not like recycled shingles or you may live in an area where they are hard to find or have not been approved for use yet. It is worth looking into tough just in case.
Salvaged shingles
You may be supportive of the green way of life but don’t like the composite roofing appearance. You can always opt for more eco-friendly materials like wood or slate and these can be easily salvaged from other buildings. Wood shingles can be made from old bridges or boards or you can buy wood shingles that are made primarily from substantially managed forests.
When it comes to salvaged shingles, there are a few things you should remember. Any natural products will cost more than composites and the really heavy materials like slate will be very expensive due to extra transportation costs. When it comes to wood, you need to remember that it is not fire resistant and it is vulnerable to rot and damp so may only last 15 or 25 years. Brittle materials like clay can also crack easily in harsh weather so will not have the greatest longevity either.
Lighter is better
Regardless of the material you choose, the lighter the color is the more eco-friendly your roof is. Lighter colors reflect the sun away keeping your house cool in the summer and by allowing extra light into your home, you save on energy bills too.
The choice of nature
If you really want to go green, then consider getting a green roof. An updated version of the sod roof, you can now get one with plants growing on it. The plants help natural insulation and cooling and the organic material use is relatively easy to manufacture. A green roof may be an unusual visual addition to a house but it is extremely energy efficient and will always give you something to talk about.
It is usually pretty costly to install a green roof and not every house is well suited for one. The roof cannot slant more than 30 degrees and it must be positioned in good sunlight. In addition to that, these green roofs require regular maintenance and upkeep. You may also want to consider reinforcing your roof because the soil can get heavy.
Depending on just how green you are, the green roof can be a little too much, which is why there are other recycled and salvaged options available. Please reach out to us with any of your eco-friendly roofing concerns and we will provide a consultation to help you find the best and most environmentally friendly option for you.
