Construction & Contractors Blog
If your asphalt shingle roof is nearing the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced, you may want to consider other materials if you're trying to be environmentally friendly. Asphalt roofs typically don't last as long as roofs made from other materials, and not every contractor bothers to recycle the shingles when they tear off the roof. As a result, asphalt shingles commonly wind up clogging landfills as construction waste. If you're replacing your asphalt roof, read on to learn more about three options that are friendlier towards the environment.
1. Metal
Metal roofs are a common choice for homeowners who are looking for a roof that's environmentally friendly. They're more expensive to install than asphalt shingle roofs, but they'll last for much longer. The metal panels come pre-painted from the factory, and you can save money on your energy bills by selecting metal roofing panels painted in a light color. The light paint on the metal will reflect sunlight, helping to keep your home cool during the warmer months.
Once your metal roof nears the end of its lifespan, it's easy to recycle the old metal panels. They're made out of either galvanized steel or aluminum, and both can be recycled and made into new products. This makes metal a very environmentally friendly choice for your roof.
2. Composite Tile
Composite tiles are made of plastic and rubber that's dyed and cast into a tile shape. Recycled plastic and rubber are used to create the tiles, making them an environmentally friendly option. Like metal roofs, composite tile roofs typically last longer than asphalt shingle roofs—the thick composite tiles are very durable and can withstand high winds.
You can purchase composite tile that's dyed to look like slate or clay tile, making it a good option if you like the appearance of slate or clay roofs. Actual slate and clay tile is quite heavy, so it's difficult to switch to these materials when you're replacing an asphalt shingle roof. It's likely that your home's roof will need additional structural support if it wasn't designed for a slate or clay tile roof. Composite tile is much lighter, making it the natural choice when you're switching from an asphalt shingle roof—you won't have to make any structural changes to your home.
3. Cedar
Finally, cedar shakes are another environmentally friendly option for your roof replacement. Cedar shakes come from trees, which are a renewable resource as long as sustainable forestry practices are followed by the manufacturer. Roofs made from cedar shakes have an attractive natural appeal, and they'll typically last longer than asphalt shingle roofs.
One downside of using cedar shakes for your roof is that you usually can't recycle the shakes. In order to meet building codes in most areas, the cedar shakes need to be treated with chemicals that make them fire resistant. Untreated cedar can catch fire very easily, so many areas ban its use due to the fire hazard that it creates. Unfortunately, you're not able to recycle cedar shakes that have been treated with fire retardant.
Whichever environmentally friendly material you choose for your roof replacement, make sure your contractor recycles your old asphalt shingles. Unfortunately, many asphalt shingles end up in landfills unnecessarily. The shingles can be taken to a recycling facility that will grind them into tiny pieces. Recycled asphalt shingles can be used to repair potholes in city streets and highways, so recycling your old asphalt shingles will put them to a useful purpose.
Share29 December 2020
My name is Debbie Greenberg. I’m a single woman who owns her home, and like most homeowners I dread home repairs. I’m not very handy with do-it-yourself projects around the house. I can do a few minor repairs when necessary, but for the most part I have to call in a professional. Last year I had a leak in my roof. When it rained, water would leak into my kitchen. What appeared to be a simple fix turned out to be anything but simple. It took over four months to finally identify the problem, and double the money I was initially quoted to fix it. The problem ended up being that the flat part of my roof didn't have shingles, but a sheeting material. I learned a bit about home roofs along the way, and that is what I want to share with you.
