If you are someone who likes to contribute to environmental well-being and sustainability, then making eco-conscious roofing decisions is a great way to continue this positivity-charged hobby. Fortunately, there are several options for green roofing systems. Your choice will depend on your personal preference, budget, and a few other factors.
By speaking with a professional roofing contractor, you can learn about all the green roofing options that will best suit your home’s unique needs. You can also review many of the possibilities beforehand to prepare for making the final decision.
Read on to learn about some of the most common and celebrated green roofing materials, as well as some tips for improving energy efficiency and more.
Ecological Roofs:
The most common green roofing systems include some of the most popular in the commercial and residential markets. Below is a list of these systems and the qualities that make them safe for the environment and surrounding ecosystems. This list includes asphalt shingles, metal, clay shingles, concrete shingles, slate, wood shakes, fiber cement, and recycled roofing.
asphalt shingles – This is one of the most profitable and common options for residential roofing. They are considered the least attractive and do not last as long as other roofing materials, but they are made from natural materials, making them perfectly eco-friendly.
Metal – Metal is 100% recyclable and can be reprocessed over and over again. Metal recycling reduces the need to extract more, which lowers depletion rates of natural mineral deposits. An old metal roof is still useful and valuable, and can be reused endlessly. Steel and lightweight aluminum are the most common metals used for metal roofing.
Board – Slate is a natural element of the earth and highly durable. It lasts a long time, but comes at a high price. It is one of the most attractive roofing options. The slate is also 100% decomposable and recyclable.
Clay – Clay tile roofs are known as “terracotta” in the industry. They are made from natural resources, mostly clay and water, which are 100% natural. However, you should be careful when choosing your coating, as some are slightly toxic if they run off into natural water sources.
Concrete – Concrete tiles are similar to clay tiles in terms of environmental compatibility and natural composition. Concrete is made from natural aggregates, such as cement, stone, gravel, and sand.
wood shakes – Wood is a natural element that comes from trees, so it is 100% ecological and safe for the environment. Cedar is the most common material used for wood shake roofing systems, but other types of wood are also frequently used. Just make sure you choose FSC certified wood.
asbestos cement – Fiber cement board is an excellent option for green roofs since it is mainly composed of cement and cellulose fiber, both of which are biodegradable.
recycled roofs – Using recycled products is a great green practice and roof systems are no different. Plastic and rubber roofs are recyclable and can be made to resemble high-end materials such as clapboards and shingles.
Additional tips:
- Choose materials that have a high recycled content.
- Avoid copper and zinc coatings.
- Avoid materials that require the use of chemical products for their maintenance.
- Choose light-colored roofs in hot climates to increase the reflectivity of the sun.