Top 5 Sustainable Roofing Materials

There is a Trend in using green building materials across the country and it’s clear that there are many homeowners that are interested in reducing their carbon footprint and the carbon footprint of their home construction. People are turning towards energy efficiency inside the home as well as looking toward sustainable materials for building and maintaining their homes. There’s a number of excellent ways that homebuilders are improving sustainability and using green home materials that are environmentally friendly and long-standing for home improvements. Here are some of the top five sustainable roofing materials for people who are focused on sustainable home building techniques:

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing remains one of the most sustainable and affordable roofing materials that you can find on our list. Asphalt roofing is the top consumer favorite in roofing today but metal roofing stands as a close second. Metal roofing materials are extremely long-lasting and durable and they require very little maintenance. Metal roofing is also one of the most energy-efficient roofing styles in the market today. Most metal roofs that are produced for home and business owners today are made out of aluminum which is a natural resource and highly recyclable. Metal roofs today can last for more than 50 years and there’s no need to experience a re-roofing job or perform much ongoing maintenance. You can minimize your overall cost for a roof as well as waste associated with the roofing job with the help of metal roofing systems. 

Slate Roofing

Slate roofs have long been a traditional favorite but they are not used to the same degree in the United States as they are throughout Europe. Slate roofs are an especially popular option for many historic buildings. Slate is produced sustainably under a rock that is cut into small slabs and installed onto the roof. One of the reasons that slate is so sustainable is because it is a material that’s designed for longevity. Because it can be taken directly out of the earth there is no need for chemical manufacturing which can lead to added carbon emissions and air pollution. Slate can often last just as long as metal roofing and this is what makes it a highly favored and sustainable choice for many today. 

Clay Tile Roofing

Clay tile remains an extremely recyclable and natural roofing material. It’s made from materials that are commonly sourced from clay pits and the tile can be a sustainable material because it comes from nature. Clay roofing materials have been around for hundreds of years and a clay roofing system is more common in the United States today than ever before. These types of roofs were more common in the Southwest and throughout South America but as Clay is a completely sustainable roofing material, there are many people that are adopting them throughout the southern US. Clay is a bit more expensive because of its weight and a need for reinforcement on the roofing materials. There are however many clay manufacturers that are offering warranties over 100 years. Clay roofing tiles do present an upfront investment but they can help you to save money in the future as well as enjoy sustainable roofing materials. 

Shingles and Wood Shakes

Shingles and wood shakes are renewable because they come from trees that can be replanted. Wood shakes and shingles have the same benefits for being a green and sustainable material. There are certain wood species that can be resistant to pests and these are common in the construction of wooden roofing. This type of roofing does require some regular maintenance and they can be more expensive to install, but they are highly beneficial for sustainability.

Green Roof

A green roof or living roof is a more sustainable material that gained popularity. These types of roofs have Vegetation or greenery that grows along the roof that insulates, absorbs rainwater, and reduces the carbon footprint of a home by producing oxygen. Additional reinforcements are often needed to install a green roof but there are many benefits to this new roofing system. Green roofs do require some ongoing maintenance and a specialty membrane to protect the roofing decks. 

If you are interested in learning more about any of these top sustainable roofing materials, contact us today.