Going Green with Your Roof: 8 Environmentally-Friendly Roofing Options
As the years pass, more and more homeowners find themselves focusing on recycling and what they can do to contribute to the environment. A great way of turning your home into an environmentally-friendly setting is by starting with the roof. There are many roofing materials that are recycled or work to better insulate homes. We discuss the many roofing materials that can help you meet your eco-friendly goals and that offer benefits for years to come!
Metal Roofing
Metal roofing has been a popular choice for the past couple of years now. Metal roofs are considered to be environmentally friendly because they can be made out of old recycled materials. As a result, some metal roofing materials can be warrantied for up to 50 years. Once a metal roof has reached the end of its life, it, too, can be recycled. Metal roofs are helpful when it comes to reflecting heat, keeping bills low for homeowners.
Clay Tiles
Clay tiles provide an earthy appeal while also being 100% recyclable! Clay tiles are perfect for your home if you are living in a rather warm environment as they can help redirect sunlight. These tiles are also known for being incredibly durable. By creating insulation against both the heat and the cold, this can help drive down electricity costs. Clay offers another great benefit: the material is naturally resistant to mold, fungus, and bacteria.
Slate Tiles
Slate tiles are commonly seen in roofing and that is due to the fact that these materials are reliable and natural. Just like metal and clay, these tiles can be recycled and repurposed. Slate offers high-quality features. The material can be offered in a variety of lengths and thicknesses. Slate, like a few other roofing materials, can last for several years, meaning you may never have to worry about replacement.
Recycled Shingle Materials
Looking for a more traditional look in roofing that still offers environmentally-friendly features? Recycled shingle roofs are definitely an option. Shingle roofs can be manufactured out of several recycled materials, making it rather easy to find a style of roofing that best suits your home. This material is easy to install and provides an overall natural and simple look to your home.
Solar Roofing
Solar roofing’s main purpose is to help homeowners save on bills, relieving them of spending thousands in electricity usage over the years. Solar roofing absorbs the sun’s energy and converts it into usable electricity. While solar panels can be pricey upfront, they make a great long-term investment. By investing in solar roofing, you don’t have to worry about electricity bills as the years go by.
Synthetic Shake Shingles
These environmentally-friendly shingles are made from polyurethane materials. With this material, the shingles mimic a natural-looking shingle and they are rather durable. These shingles are also known for their impact resistance and for helping homeowners better insulate their homes, allowing them to rely less and less on their air conditioning and heating. Even better, these shingles very seldom require maintenance or repairs and can be rather affordable and easy on your budget if you are looking for something on the cheaper end.
Rubber Roofing
Another great recycled roof material is reinforced rubber shingles which are commonly made out of old steel-belted radial tires. The rubber materials is coated with ground slate to provide a more natural look and texture for a roof. Rubber roofs are commonly seen in commercial properties. If you are considering rubber roofing, you may have to consult with a professional to determine if this material is permitted in your area.
“Cool” Roofing
Cool roofs are becoming one of the fastest-growing segments in the roofing industry. “Cool” roofing materials are made out of a mixture of white glue and white gravel, which intend to reflect the sunlight and, in turn, reduce the amount of heat that a home insulates. These materials can be installed as a roof replacement or by retrofitting existing shingles by using a cool roof coating. These roofs are dominating in roof materials competition considering they can reduce the surface temperature of a roof by 50 degrees.
Find the Roofing Materials That Work Best For You with Help from Our Professionals
With so many options to choose from, it can be easy to become overwhelmed in the decision-making process. Tell us about your goals with your roof and we can find the best roofing materials for your home. Contact us today!