Building an eco-friendly home is an important undertaking for most homeowners. Most homeowners want to incorporate materials that either recycle or reclaim what is already out there or ones that will lessen one’s carbon footprint. The roof is a large part of your home to build or remodel and adopting a sustainable approach will do wonders to make your home more environmentally safe and friendly. 

Recycled Shingles 

Roofing shingles whether they be wood, metal or rubber are probably the commonest roofing material. Using recycled shingles of slate, wood, metal or any other material lessens the impact of your roof remodel on the environment. There are many companies you can purchase recycled or reclaimed shingles from, adding a unique touch to your home and getting great quality. 

Many recycled shingles are made from rubber, wood and even plastic. They are redesigned to mimic a very natural look such as that of clay or slate and this even cuts their cost further, while still ensuring they last a long while. New materials would not need to be used for your roof remodel and you will feel great about your decision if you use recycled materials. The longevity of these roofs can be upwards of 50 years. 

A Lush Green Roof 

A green roof is when an entire roof consists of plants and vegetation and the appearance is green in entirety. A green roof improves air quality, looks very fairy tale like and beautiful and provides stellar insulation, cutting on energy bills. Vegetables and other plants can be harvested for use in the kitchen or for medicinal purposes. Many rustic outdoorsy designs make use of a green roof for both style and functionality. A green roof is often paired with a rainwater harvesting system which allows the homeowners to consume less freshwater and not waste anything. 

Clay & Slate 

Clay and slate tiles and shingles have been used since ancient times for roof building. Reclaimed clay and slate tiles from older or demolished houses or buildings can reduce carbon footprint and still have the wondrous longevity of these materials. Clay can last for decades and even a hundred years the same as slate, and they can be painted in a host of different colors and finishes. If you are doing a historic renovation on an older property, reclaimed clay tiles can rejuvenate the roof and also look era-appropriate. Use lighter-colored clay or slate tiles so they bounce the harsh rays of the sun off your house keeping it cooler. 

Sustainable Forestry 

Wood from sustainable forests is a slightly better option that using regular wood for any kind of home project, building or remodel. Sustainable forestry ensures deforestation does not happen and new trees are planted side by side to mitigate the damage of cutting certain ones for residential or commercial use. Artificial kinds of wood shakes and shingles can be used and now plastics are designed to give a wood-like finish if this option is not sustainable enough for you. 

A White Roof

A white roof is a roof that is either white or a very light color as this will reflect off the sun’s rays so your air conditioning use goes down. The material used can be anything from metal, clay or even synthetic plastic but the choice of color makes it an excellent eco-friendly choice. Solar panels can also be installed on top of a white roof to double the insulating effect and generate free sustainable power for the household and this is a step always to be carried out by professionals such as Houston commercial roofing. The amount of solar power generated can even greatly reduce or eliminate your dependence on the main grid, affecting both the environment and your personal finances. 

Recyclable Metal 

Metal and tin is endlessly recyclable and is the most recycled material on the planet. Use recycled or reclaimed metal tiles or shingles to construct a metal roof that will easily last for 50 years if not more and will keep the house cool and immune from cracks. Sloping metal roofs are brilliant for rainwater harvesting and also solar panel installations. Metal of a lighter color can prevent absorption of heat in warmer areas resulting in lower energy bills. Areas that are very prone to rain and snow can benefit from metal roofs as they don’t get eroded with moisture or weight and troublesome repairs can be prevented. 

Conclusion 

Since the roof takes up such a considerable part of the home remodel or build, it should not be installed lightly. Careful research can reveal the many factors that go into choosing a sensible and appropriate roofing material especially if you are trying to be considerate to the environment. Different roofing material types will suit different climates and locations and at the end of the day you want the roofing material to be compatible with the overall aesthetic and design of the house.