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If you are someone who enjoys contributing to environmental wellbeing and sustainability, making green roofing decisions is a great way to continue this positively charged pastime. Fortunately, there are several options for eco-friendly roofing systems. Your choice will depend on personal preferences, budget, and several other factors.
By talking to a professional roofing contractor, you can learn about all the green roofing options that best suit your home’s unique needs. You can also browse through many options in advance to prepare for your final decision.
Continue reading to learn about some of the most popular and famous green roofing materials, plus some tips for improving your energy efficiency and more.
Environmentally friendly roofs:
The most popular ecological roofing systems are some of the most popular on the commercial and residential market. Below is a list of these systems along with the features that make them safe for the environment and surrounding ecosystems. This list includes bitumen, metal, clay, concrete, slate, wood shavings, fiber cement and recycled roofing shingles.
Asphalt shingles – This is one of the most cost effective and common residential roof options. They are considered the least attractive and do not last as long as other roofing materials, but are made of natural materials, which makes them perfectly ecological.
Metal – The metal is 100% recyclable and can be recycled many times. Metal recycling reduces the need for further extraction, reducing the natural depletion of the ore deposits. The old metal roof is still useful and valuable, and can be changed endlessly. Steel and lightweight aluminum are the most commonly used metals for metal roofs.
Slate – Slate is a natural and very durable element of the earth. It takes a long time but comes at a high price. This is one of the more attractive roofing options. The slate is also 100% decomposable and recyclable.
Clay – Ceramic tile roofs are called “terracotta” in the industry. They are made of natural raw materials, mainly clay and water, which are 100% natural. However, you have to be careful when choosing a coating as some are somewhat toxic if they run off into natural water sources.
Concrete – Concrete tiles are similar to clay tiles in terms of environmental friendliness and natural composition. Concrete is made of natural aggregates such as cement, stone, gravel and sand.
Wood cocktails – Wood is a natural element derived from trees, which makes it 100% ecological and safe for the environment. Cedar is the most used material for wooden roof systems, but other types of lumber are also often used. Just make sure you choose FSC-certified wood.
Fiber cement – Fiber cement board is an excellent green roofing option as it is mainly composed of cement and cellulose fibers which are biodegradable.
Recycled roofing – Using recycled products is a wonderful environmentally friendly practice, and roofing systems are no different. Plastic and rubber roofing materials are recyclable and can be produced to resemble higher-end materials such as wood vibration and tiles.
Additional Tips:
- Choose materials with a high content of recycled materials.
- Avoid copper and zinc coatings.
- Avoid materials that require the use of chemicals for maintenance.
- Choose a light colored roofing in hot climates to increase the reflectivity of the sun.
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Source by Sarahbeth Kluzinski