Stylish Eco-Friendly Roofing Materials
Your roof is an important part of your home appearance, durability and maintains the ability to withstand harsh weather conditions such as strong winds, rain, cold, sunlight, heat, snow and sleet. Today, people are also looking at the environment aspect of their home improvements by preferring Eco-friendly materials, which can complicate the process of choosing roofing material even further. Your roofing preferences have great effect on other home aspects such as cooling, heating, durability and maintenance. If you intend to install an Eco-friendly roof on your house you can choose from various materials and colors. The materials have different features, durability and cost enabling you to choose based on your preferences.
Eco-friendly roofing materials that you should use on your home:
Recycled Shingles
These are some of the most popular eco-friendly roofing materials and arguable the greenest. They are created from recycled waste materials like wood fiber, rubber and plastic. A majority of these materials come from clean consumer waste and industrial waste. The recycled shingles have a nice appearance and are very durable. The benefit of using recycled shingles is the reduced waste that goes into landfills thus protecting the environment. Using these shingles also reduces the pollution and energy consumption needed to extract raw materials. As I said before most of these materials are very durable and can last for a span of 50 years or more. You may also find recycled shingles with a good fire rating too which may reduce your home insurance.
Slate tiles
These Eco-friendly roofing materials are popular with people interested in distinct durable roofs with low maintenance. Slate accommodates various roof designs that range from Italianate to Beaux Arts, French and Colonial. The slate is durable but it is very expensive and requires a special installation.
Clay roofing tiles
Clay tiles are equally stylish, durable and easy to keep up with a lifespan of over 50 years. The clay tiles also have excellent fire resistance capability, versatile appearance and good insulation value. Although clay roofing is expensive it is a smart investment. Clay roofing tiles are popular in hot weather climate and do the best in areas that get little precipitation.
Metal Roofing
Metal Eco-friendly roofing materials are on of the best green materials for your home because they are mostly made from recycled materials. They also come in various types ranging from aluminum to copper and steel. They are very durable and lightweight. They also have a high insulation value and they can be recycled at the end of their lifespan.
Wood / Cedar shakes
Wood shingles are also popular Eco-friendly materials with many homeowners due to their excellent insulation ability. Although wood shakes are not fire resistance unless treated with other materials, they have other green benefits such as low maintenance costs, low labor, non-toxicity and durability.
Rubber Roofing
Reinforced rubber shingles created from old steel-belted radial tires are other Eco-friendly materials gaining popularity with homeowners. They come in various colors and textures made from ground slate coating. The benefit of roofing with rubber materials is the long life ability that comes with a 50 years warranty. The warranty is even for hail among other extreme conditions. However, before buying rubber roofing materials it is a good idea to check with your area building department to check whether they are permitted.