Sustainable Roofing Material Considerations

Roofing your home is a costly project, so choosing the right material is a priority. If you are interested in sustainability, there are a few options you may want to consider. While few roofing materials qualify as “truly” sustainable, here are some things you should contemplate. Beyond the raw materials that go into making the roof, how is it manufactured? How will be roof perform over its lifetime … will it need to be replaced less frequently than another material? Once it reaches the end of its life, what type of disposal is necessary?

Consider the environmental factors of raw materials, manufacturing, life-span and disposal.

Roofing raw material sustainability

Sustainable material, by definition, must be produced without causing damage to the Earth or depleting natural resources. Roofing materials that use fossil fuels or mined products are technically not sustainable. The good news is that some options are much more environmentally friendly than others.

Check to see if the roofing content contains recycled materials and weigh the benefit of the reuse against the durability of the product. It is important to choose a product that will have longevity. Also look into the possibility that the material can be recycled again once it is taken off your roof.

Research to determine if toxic products are used in the manufacture and maintenance of your roof. You can also consider avoiding coatings like copper and zinc that can become dangerous to animals if washed into water sources.

Chose a material appropriate for your climate and home type to ensure the longevity of your roof. Sustainability depends on your roof lasting as long as possible, and that means finding the best options for materials. Slope and weight are considerations that your roofing contractor can help you determine. Also consider heat and reflective qualities. In very hot climates, dark colors absorb more heat, which can reduce the lifespan of the materials and also raise the cost of cooling your home.

WHAT ARE GREEN ROOFS?

A “living roof” is low sloped and covered with either grass or small plants. In urban areas, green roofs are popular to bring aspects of nature and insulate the home from concrete and asphalt heat. While green roofs are pleasing, they require frequent maintenance, are expensive to install and rely on a rubber membrane (typically a petroleum-based product) as waterproofing. Green roofs are also heavy and may require specialized framing.