Looking for an environmentally-friendly replacement roof? You’re not alone.
Today, more and more people are concerned about ‘going green’ and protecting the environment, which is great. And the good news is that for homeowners, there is a multitude of things they can do to make their homes more environmentally friendly, from recycling, to not relying on plastic as much, and even roofing materials.
If you’re looking at getting a new roof now or down the road, there are environmentally friendly roofing options that we’re going to discuss in this article.
What Makes Roofing Material Unfriendly to the Environment?
Roofing material affects the environment in two primary ways; the first is the roofing material itself, which may or not be recyclable, and the second is how energy efficient the material is. Most of the commonly used roofing materials today are not recyclable, which means they’re dumped into a landfill when they’ve outlived their usefulness.
On the energy front, the type of roofing material you choose determines how energy efficient your house is. For example, asphalt shingles generally aren’t energy efficient and cause your HVAC systems to work harder to maintain a constant temperature, which in turn uses up more power.
Downsides to Environmentally Friendly Roofing
Now, before you decide to make the jump to an environmentally friendly roof, know that there are downsides to take into consideration.
The first thing to consider is that not all contractors are familiar with working with exotic materials so it may be more difficult and more expensive to get a roofing company that can handle your particular choice of a roof.
Also, most environmentally friendly roofing materials are more expensive than their more common counterparts, which means you’re going to be spending more to put on a roof with these materials than if you chose asphalt shingles or tile.
Lastly, some eco-friendly roofing materials lack the durability of more traditional materials such as metal or tile, which means you’re going to be replacing tiles and conducting maintenance more often.
What Are The Environmentally Friendly Options?
If you’re willing to overlook the downsides, there are a variety of eco-friendly roofing materials to choose from and here are a few to consider.
- Cool Roof – This roof resists the sun’s heat and keeps your home cooler, which can lower your energy bills if you live in a hot climate.
- Recycled Shingles – These shingles are made from recycled materials that form a solid roof that’s easy to maintain and eco-friendly as well.
- Metal – roof materials are also great for reflecting the heat and keeping your home’s temperature regular. Also, some metal roofing products are also made from recycled material as well.
- Clay or Slate – Not only do clay or slate roofs look fantastic, but they are also very friendly to the environment because they’re recyclable. Another benefit is that this material is one of the longest lasting roofs you can put on, which means you’re less likely to have to replace it in your lifetime.
Anyone tried these environmentally-friendly roof materials? We’d love to hear from you in the comments about your experiences.