The New Craze
It is commendable that people are becoming more conscious of their impact on the environment and striving to make positive changes. They are switching everyday items like cleaning, beauty, food, and more to natural and environmentally friendly products. While most of us stick to household items, some have taken it as far as building houses with eco-friendly materials, especially roofing.
Why Might People Be Interested?
People are becoming more environmentally friendly and want natural, safe, and effective products. They want to know that the products they use, the home they build, or the food they eat won’t cause long-term issues, like cancer.
Almost 50 years ago, they stopped using asbestos in homes because it caused cancer. There is new research every day about products that are harmful to us. Because of this, people choose only all-natural or eco-friendly products.
What are the options?
Over the years, many companies have come out with eco-friendly building products to suit the needs of some of these people. Roofing materials are important because they are the largest part of your home.
There are eight different types of roofs that use eco-friendly materials. These are:
Rubber roofing: Rubber shingles made from steel-belted tires are effective roofing materials. The rubber is then coated with ground slate to enhance its texture, which comes in various colors. Rubber roofing resists storms and other harsh weather conditions. It can last up to 50 years.
Green roofs: Planting a green roof has numerous benefits, especially in urban areas, since it moderates the heat effect and cleanses the air. In addition, the eco-friendly home design reduces rainwater runoff, offers your home additional cooling and insulation, and above all, its natural beauty supplements your house’s appearance.
Shingles from recycled materials: Most shingles sold today are made from recyclable materials such as plastic, wood fiber, and rubber. The roof mimics recycled slate and cedar shakes. Recycled shingles are the greenest roofing product. Recycled shingles are quite affordable and are a perfect alternative for those who can’t afford expensive slate roofs. They are durable, with a life span of over 50 years, and the roof also offers great benefits. This roof also looks nice, and someone would never think it was made from waste products. When people opt for this type of roofing, it cuts down on plastic waste, making it an eco-friendly option.
Reclaimed slate or clay roofs: Since time immemorial, clay and slate tiles have been used for roofing, and people still value them today. Reclaimed tiles are an eco-friendly roofing option. A Spanish home matches perfectly with a standard curve of red clay tiles, whereas slate tiles complement classy historical homes. These roofing materials are natural but durable. They can last up to a century. Nowadays, there are light-colored clay tiles that offer cooling benefits.
Corrugated roofing: This is a strong and economical green home design. Corrugated roofing is durable and can withstand harsh climates. With advanced technology, this roof does not come in translucent plastic or a wavy sheet of metal. Today, there are various colors and styles. Its versatility enables manufacturers to come up with various designs. The roof has a neat appearance and is light. The roof is easy to fix. Corrugated roofing is durable, making it an excellent green building material for homeowners.
Shingle roof: Also known as a wood shake roof. For those interested in the classic appearance of wood shingles, wood shingles from a well-managed forest is an excellent option.
Standing-seam metal roofs: This roof is long-lasting, reflects light, and is 100% recyclable. Metal roofs are advantageous to green homeowners and anyone looking to invest in a high-quality roof. You can improve it by installing a metal roof manufactured from recycled materials and of a lighter color. Metal roofs are long-lasting, with a lifespan of 50 years. The roof is also fire-resistant. It is an ideal roof for those who want to harvest rainwater for gardening. The roof is very useful for those who live in snowy areas because it allows snow to slide off, preventing ice dams.
White roof: Any roof with a light color or white color, irrespective of the material, is known as a cool roof. As the name suggests, the roof cools a house since it reflects most of the sun’s rays. Cool roof systems are an added advantage as air conditioning will not be used during the day. Therefore, summer energy bills will be reduced significantly.
Conclusion
While not all of these eco-friendly roofing options are all-natural, they still have natural qualities that place them higher than other non-eco-friendly roofing materials.
If you are replacing your roof or building a new home and would like to use eco-friendly roofing options, then these eight types are a good starting point. One thing you may want to consider, though, is that these options can be more expensive. If you have a budget, you will want to consider all price points.
If you would like to learn more, talk to your local roofing company today. If you are looking to replace or repair your roof, call Sterling Construction today.
