Roof replacement usually takes a backseat whenever you think about spending money on home improvement. It’s not surprising, considering the fact that it’s one of the priciest investments for your home or building. Nonetheless, you really don’t have a choice because all roofs must be replaced sooner or later. And when that time comes, you’re hard-pressed to find a decent replacement that won’t break the bank. Let’s see below What Are Some Eco Friendly Roofing Choices you have?
While cost is the primary consideration for most people, there are other things to factor in choosing the material for your next roof, one of which is sustainability. Simply put, you must look into the possible effects of your roofing material on the environment.
The following are some Eco friendly roofing materials you might want to consider:
1 – Cool Roofing
Cool roofs are designed to keep the inside of your house cooler during hot days and warmer during cold nights.
Cool roofing materials don’t absorb the heat from the sun, which makes them a good choice for homes in warm climates. They come in white or light shades to reflect heat from the sun and then release them slowly instead of trapping and holding it inside, allowing the house to warm up.
2 – Rubber Roofs
Rubber roofs usually come in a rolled-out form which can be installed on top of your existing roof. It’s a viable option for roof replacement because it looks more natural and doesn’t carry that much weight. In addition, rubber roofs are low-maintenance, highly durable, and waterproof too.
Roofs reinforced with rubber are eco-friendly because the material used in them are repurposed. This means they’re already deemed undesirable and cannot be used for anything else; instead of throwing rubber waste in landfills, they’re ingeniously used to prolong the life of the roofing structure.
3 – Metal Roofs
On the surface, metal roofing sounds like a poor choice because it’s one of the costlier materials for roofs. But don’t be fooled by its initial price tag – metal is actually quite affordable in the long run because it lasts longer than most other options and can withstand extreme weather conditions.
A standing seam metal roof is eco-friendly since it’s made from recycled material. The roof’s design naturally reflects heat, thereby helping you reduce your heating and cooling requirements. In addition, metal prevents the buildup of ice dams in the winter and can last over 50 years with regular upkeep.
4 – Corrugated Roofing
Just like metal roofs, corrugated roofs are also eco-friendly because they’re made from recycled materials. Corrugated roofs can last more than five decades – way longer than traditional roofing choices. They’re suitable for homes in areas with heavy snowfall because the corrugated design effectively sheds water away from the building.
The corrugated roof’s inherent durability makes it a sustainable choice for homeowners who hate the idea of spending money on constant maintenance and repair.
5 – Green Roof
A green roof is considered the most sustainable choice for roofing. Essentially, they’re built to serve as an extension of your garden, where plants and grasses grow and thrive on top of your building. It makes sense in the perspective of eco-friendliness since the plants help clean the air and minimize the scorching heat.
Green roofs provide insulation benefits, plus they help conserve energy by absorbing heat from the sun during summer days and vice versa during winter seasons.
6 – Recycled Shingle Roof
A recycled shingle roof is made from repurposed material, i.e., plastic, rubber, wood fibre, and asphalt. The material is versatile in design because the manufacturer emulates the appearance of those expensive but unsustainable roofing materials like slate and tiles.
The best attribute of a recycled shingle roof is its price. You get a lower price for a roofing material that’s built to last and has a flexible design that’ll help boost your home’s curb appeal.
7 – Green Wood Shakes
Green wood shakes are made from reclaimed wood, which means you don’t contribute to deforestation. In addition, you’re confident about this roof’s durability because the material is treated to withstand rotting and insect infestation.
If you need a natural-looking roofing material that comes with several colour options, then consider green wood shakes as your choice. This eco-friendly roofing material is popular among environmental advocates because it’s cost-effective and requires low maintenance.
8 – Clay Roof
Clay is one of the oldest materials used to build roofs, and there are excellent reasons why it’s still relevant today. For example, a clay roof is fireproof and weather resistant. Likewise, it has a very sophisticated aesthetic, which makes it the perfect choice for Mediterranean-style homes.
Did you know that clay is an excellent insulation material? A clay roof promotes comfortable temperatures inside your living space.
Additionally, they come in different designs to complement your taste and preferences. Like most eco-friendly roofing materials on this list, clay roof tiles require little maintenance, and you can’t see any other cheaper alternative to them.
Why an Eco-Friendly Roof?
There’s more to your roof than protecting you and your property underneath it. Choosing a sustainable roof means you care about the welfare of future generations. Imagine how many roofs will be built in the next decade or so. And you immediately understand why it’s essential to select eco-friendly roofing materials right about now.
A sustainable roofing solution also helps minimize energy consumption. Which is beneficial to the planet because less greenhouse gas emissions equals cleaner air for everyone. That alone is enough reason for you to go for an environment-friendly material to replace an old roof.