More and more people are growing concerned with climate change and the health of our environment, and that means they are making a conscious effort to reduce their carbon footprint and rely on sustainable products as much as possible. The roof over your head doesn’t have to be exempt from this concern: there are loads of different materials and products you can use that not only help you continue your mission for sustainable living, but look great and work extremely well too! Here are just a few of your environmentally-friendly roofing material options.
Wood Shakes or Shingles
Wood shakes or shingles are an extremely popular roofing material, especially here in Colorado where the mountain aesthetic tends to be a dominant theme. Not only are wooden shingles and shakes extremely inexpensive, but they’re naturally-occurring, and many options come from sustainably-farmed sources so you can rest assured that you’re doing as little as possible to impact the environment. When they’ve outlived their lifespan, they’re naturally biodegradable and can sometimes even be recycled and used again in different applications.
Reclaimed Clay or Slate
When a slate or clay tile roof wears out and needs replaced, some of the tiles that come off the roof may have some life still left in them. These tiles are taken to manufacturers who re-treat them and reclaim them, selling them again as a new, durable roofing material that’s both inexpensive and eco-friendly. By keeping these tiles out of landfills, you’re doing your part to reduce waste and reduce the need for manufacturing new tiles. And the best part: they’re one of the longest-lasting roofing materials on the market, lasting as long as 100 years when properly cared for!
Recycled-Content Shingles
Ever wondered what might happen to all those plastic bottles you throw in the recycling bin? Some of them may wind up being integrated into roofing shingles you install on your home! Recycled-content shingles are constructed using a blend of new materials and recycled plastic content, making them extremely friendly environmentally. In fact, the plastic material composition in many of these shingles can last as long as 50 years on the average roof! To date, the biggest limitation is their availability, as finding these options isn’t always easy. Furthermore, they only come in a limited number of colors and designs, but if one of those designs is perfect for you, then this isn’t an issue.
Standing-Seam Metal
Metal roofs are one of the fastest-growing trends in roofing for their unmatched durability, wide range of features and benefits, and rapidly falling costs. Metal roofs do require special installation and they are still on the expensive side, but the benefits can be enormous. Not only are they some of the coolest roofs in terms of temperature (their light-reflective qualities mean you’ll spend less keeping your home cool during summer), but they naturally repel water and snow, meaning you’ll never have to worry about buildup adding too much weight. However, on that same note, you’ll want to ensure that you have a plan for clearing away the snow that will inevitably build up around your home after it falls off your metal roof.
For more information about roofing materials or to get more information about replacing your roof with a sustainable, eco-friendly material, call Divine Roofing, Inc. today at (719) 497-1005!