Eco-Friendly Roofs Have You Covered

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Whether it’s your home, office, shed, or any other sizable building, its roof is its best friend. Roofs protect the structures beneath them from water and sun damage, and provide shelter for everything they cover. They can last a long while but when it comes time to replace them, what materials should you use and what are the benefits and drawbacks from your choices. While many people have used asphalt tiles in the past because their initial cost is relatively cheap and they’re easy to install, there are several other options that can be better for the environment and save you money in the long run. Some things to consider about your roof’s materials include:

• How they are manufactured?
• How long do they last?
• Do you live in an area that has a large fluctuation in temperatures? This can damage the materials because they expand and contract more than in more temperate areas.
• How well do they hold up against mold, mildew, and termites?
• What happens to the materials at the end of their life?
• How well do they fare in high winds?

When weighing these considerations, talk to a roofing contractor for more specifics but be knowledgeable about how the following materials measure up.

Asphalt Roofs This is the most commonly used roofing material due to its costs and ease of installation. Depending on how the tiles are made, some use organic matting and others fiberglass, they can last up to 30 years with limited maintenance. While they can be recycled into source material for pavement, they usually end up in the landfill.
Stone Roofs Stone tiles are very expensive but very sturdy. When installed properly, they can last more than 100 years. During installation, they have a tendency to crack easily (causing problems later if the cracks aren’t identified before the slates are installed), and you may need to reinforce your roof to handle their weight. Once installed, they require recurring maintenance to get the longest life out of them. Being made of stone, they can be discarded harmlessly.
Metal Roofs Metal roofs are fairly cheap to install and can last for over 50 years, though they’re energy intensive to produce. In the past there was an issue with noise when it would rain but improvements have been made to reduce this concern. They reflect sun, keeping the building cooler, and can withstand up to 120 mph winds.
Cedar Roofs Cedar shingles are very aesthetically pleasing but can be expensive to install and maintain. They require treatment to resist mold and mildew and those chemicals can leach out when exposed to rain. They take less energy to produce than other options, and some are made by sustainable harvesting companies who use stumps that are left behind from logging, and they are biodegradable. They can last for 30 years and can withstand winds over 130 mph.
Fiber-Cement Composite Roofing These shingles are made up of a combination of wood and cement, often using recycled wood. They are good for use in wet and humid areas but do not stand up as well when there is a large change in temperatures. They resist mold, mildew, and insects and can withstand winds up to 200 mph. When they are finished protecting your building, they can be ground into sand and harmlessly discarded.
Reclaimed roofing materials These faux shake shingles are predominately made from reclaimed plastic, rubber, and fiber materials. They are mold, mildew, and insect resistant and weather to look like cedar shake shingles. They can last up to 50 years, withstand up to 110 mph winds, and require little or no maintenance. When they are finished, they also end up in the landfill.
Living roofs These roofs use live, growing plants instead of shingles to protect your building. They cost significantly more to install but last longer and deliver many benefits, including improved energy efficiency (keeping the building cooler in the hot weather and warmer in the cold), sound absorption, and water retention, which reduces water runoff, eases local flooding, and helps cool the surrounding area. These roofs have several layers of soil and other materials to help retain water and make the plants grow so the building must have the structural strength to support them. The amount of maintenance required depends on the plants used.

With a little guidance, you can easily pick the best materials for your situation. For help in deciding which roof is best for you, visit the roofing replacement and repair services at EnhanceScape.