 When it comes down to the basics, the roof on your house helps serves a very necessary function—protecting you and the interior of your home from the elements. Most roofs, however, are made with shingles that offer very poor insulation and are rather drab in their design and color. The typical tiles used are also produced from unsustainable materials such as asphaults that have been shipped from distant locations. The good news is that EnviroCitizen.org has found lots of green roofing options to try out.
Wood shingles, such as cedar shakes, are natural, have twice the insulative value of asphalt and become more beautiful as they age. There are a few things to consider with wood. Wood can be expensive and is often treated with some chemicals that may be toxic so that they are flame retardant. They also tend to swell with moisture and then shrink. There have been technologies developed to eliminate this problem, however. In the past, many roofing shingles came from old-growth cedar trees, so they were a poor environmental performer. Today, you can buy Forest Stewardship Council-certified shingles that perform well and are proven sustainable.
Metal roofs are some of the best roofs for insulation and creating a distinctive looks. Metal roofs are available in copper, aluminum and stainless steel, and often have a high percentage of recycled content. They also have a solar reflecting property and are durable, often lasting twice as long as wood or asphalt. Try buying a roof made from recycled material.
Slate is probably the most durable roofing material, but it can be expensive. Slate will last a long time, but the fasteners that hold it to the roof deck will wear out after about 100 years, so maintenance is a must in time. As a natural material, slate is extremely durable and also recyclable. It comes in a variety of colors. The variation of color is what gives it its unique character. You can find reclaimed and salvaged slate roofing from several companies that don't use virgin materials.
Clay tiles provide a certain Mediterranean flair, have a lisfespan of over 50 years with good insulative value and are Class A fire rated. Clay roofing tiles can come in lighter colors which adhere to the cool roof standards and can reflect well over 50% of the sun's solar energy. Clay roofs are often a little pricier than conventional roofs, but if you like the look, you can use them as accents in areas like doorway overhangs or only visible areas of the roof.
There are many other roofing options that EnviroCitizen.org has found out there, so speak with a green builder; preferably one that is familiar with the energy star standards on alternative roofing and cool roofs. You'll be on your way to a much healthier and Earth-sound home.
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