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Eco-Friendly Roofing
Being your home’s first line of defence against cold, heat, and various weather conditions, the roof is one of the most important parts of your household. It’s also one of the most expensive things to replace and that’s something that is inevitable considering the fact that traditional asphalt shingles last for 20 years, give or take. Switching to eco-friendly roofing is only a logical choice since it’s good for the environment, cheaper, and usually lasts longer than traditional roofs. There are several environmentally-friendly options to consider.
Waste materials
Recycled shingles are probably one of the most eco-friendly roofing solutions you can find since they’re made from various waste materials. Plastic, rubber, wood fibre – anything can be used as a green roofing material. All household and industrial waste can be put to good use – to make these quite durable shingles (up to 50 years, manufacturer claim). The production of the recycled shingles lowers the demand for production of raw materials meaning that it also lowers energy consumption and pollution. So, if you want to be eco-friendly and get a new roof for your home, recycled shingles are the thing for you.
Wood
Shingles and shakes made out of wood don’t sound very eco-friendly, especially when you know they are made from old-growth western cedar or eastern white cedar but there are some greener solutions out there. For starters, the amount of energy needed to produce this kind of roofing is relatively low and that’s always a good thing. Furthermore, you can find wood shingles that are made from scraps using wood that has been reclaimed from mills, bridges, wine tanks, etc. You can also find a local producer to avoid the need for transportation, as well as lower gas emission.
Metal
Not only can a metal roof be made from recycled materials but it can also be recycled at the end of its lifetime. Besides this, metal roofs are also very durable. They can last up to 50 years and then be recycled into something else. The fact that metal roofs are fire resistant makes them suitable for areas with high risks of forest fires. Also, metal roofs are good at preventing ice dams from forming meaning that they’re perfect for snowy areas, as well. If you’re considering this option, professionals as those who own and operate Sydney Wide Metal Roofing can replace your domestic or commercial roof with metal one pretty fast.
Slate and clay
There are certain natural materials that make for a very durable roofing material that can last over a hundred years. That means that once you reroof your home with slate tiles you won’t have to worry about roofing ever again. However, mining and transporting slate demands a lot of energy but you can always opt for salvaged tiles and make your slate tiles a bit greener. Clay also makes a fantastic roofing material – but it is not as durable as slate is.
Rubber
There’s another good recyclable material that can make a great cover for your home – rubber. It might sound odd but you can actually purchase rubber shingles that are produced from recycled steel-belted radial tires. Depending on the manufacturer, as much as 75% of their content can be recycled tires thus making them one of the most eco-friendly roofing materials. They can look like any kind of roofing material, so you don’t have to worry about your roof looking odd. Rubber roof can last for 50 years and withstand severe weather conditions, so it’s quite durable as well.
The eco-friendly roofing solution you’ll choose depends on the overall style of your home, building codes in your area, and your budget. Make sure you take all three things into consideration and you’ll have no trouble choosing the perfect option for your home.
