On most days, you probably don’t give much thought to your roof. However, even the best roofs will eventually need to be replaced. Rather than just opting for an exact replacement of your current roof, a roof replacement provides an opportunity to transform the look of your Hickory home. On top of that, when you install a new roof, you have a chance to choose environmentally friendly materials so that you can help protect the earth for future generations. To give you an idea of the best options for your home, here are a few suggestions from Landmark Roofing.
How a Roof Can Be Environmentally Friendly
Several factors determine whether or not a roof is environmentally friendly. One factor is the ability of the roofing material to reduce thermal energy transfer to help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. If your roof can help regulate your home’s temperature, you won’t have to operate your HVAC system as often, thus using less electricity. Another factor to consider is the durability of a particular roofing material. If a roofing material lasts a long time, you won’t need to use more resources to replace it in only a few years, thus protecting the environment. Finally, if a roof can be recycled when it is at the end of its service life, that goes a long way toward reducing its environmental impact.
Metal Roof
There’s nothing like the look and charm of a home with a metal roof. You’ll quickly learn to look forward to afternoon thunderstorms when you have a metal roof because the sound of the rain on the roof will help you relax. One great quality of a metal roof is that you can buy it in various colors, including light colors that help to reflect thermal energy. Another reason that Landmark Roofing recommends metal roofs is that they can be made from materials that can be recycled at the end of their life cycle. Speaking of the life cycle of a metal roof, you can often expect to get between 40 to 70 years out of a metal roof, making this option a worthwhile investment.
Wood Shakes
If you’re looking for a natural look for your home, look no further than wood shakes. Wood shakes are made from various species that naturally resist rot and insects, making this a low-maintenance roof option. Plus, wood shakes tend to be installed in a dense pattern, making them exceptionally energy efficient. Since wood resists thermal energy transfer better than non-natural materials, wood shakes help to insulate your home quite well. The average lifespan of most wood shake roofs is a solid 30 years. Best of all, wood shake roofs are biodegradable, making them exceptionally easy on the environment.
Living Roof
One of the most eco-friendly options for a roof is a green or “living” roof. For a living roof, you’ll replace typical roofing materials with soil and plants, allowing you to use your roof to help purify the air while protecting your home. Since living roofs are covered in vegetation, they have very low levels of thermal transfer, providing excellent insulative properties for your home. Although the substructure of a living roof will need to be replaced after approximately 40 years, the plants on a roof can last for as long as you take care of them. One major drawback of a green roof is that it tends to weigh far more than a typical roof. Many existing homes cannot be retrofitted for a green roof, but it’s still worth talking to Landmark Roofing to see if your home is a candidate for this great roof option.
Clay Tiles
Clay tile roofs provide a timeless roofing option for any home. Clay tiles come in a variety of colors, allowing you to opt for lighter colors to reduce thermal transfer. Another benefit of clay tiles is that they are quite dense. This dramatically reduces thermal transfer between the inside and outside of your home, helping your home to stay comfortable throughout the year without excessive use of your HVAC system. This density also contributes to the impressive longevity of clay tile roofs. When installed correctly, a clay tile roof can last for up to 100 years. Therefore, even though a clay tile roof will cost you more upfront, your investment will easily pay for itself as long as you remain in your home after the roof has been installed.
Asphalt Shingles
Many people don’t realize that an asphalt shingle roof can be environmentally friendly when care is taken during the installation process. Dimensional shingles are a more durable variant of traditional asphalt shingles that can last for close to 30 years. This prevents excess resource usage caused by a premature roof replacement. Plus, many types of asphalt shingles are recyclable, meaning that your roof won’t be taking up space in a landfill when it can no longer protect your home. A major part of improving the eco-friendliness of an asphalt shingle roof is making sure to care for it properly. You can contact us at Landmark Roofing to inspect your roof and make sure there are no nail pops, broken shingles, or excess dirt buildup that could shorten the life of your roof.
Solar Panels
Sometimes, it’s not the roofing material itself but the other items on your roof that determine the environmental friendliness of your roof. That’s why solar panels make such a great option. Solar panels last for about 25 years, matching the average lifespan of a typical asphalt shingle roof. During that time, though, solar panels help to protect the underlying roofing material, meaning that you may get a longer life out of your roof. Of course, the main environmental benefit of a roof covered in solar panels is the significant reduction in fossil fuel usage. You can use solar panels to cover some or all of your home’s electrical needs, helping to save on utility and long-term roof replacement costs.
Repair What You Have
When homeowners learn they have a problem with their roof, many people quickly assume that roof replacement is their only option. One of the most environmentally friendly options you can choose, though, is to look into roof repair instead of replacement. In many cases, individual tiles, shakes, or shingles are replaceable so that you don’t have to replace your entire roof. A good roofing company will carefully inspect a problem roof to provide you with all of your options to help you save money. In addition to cost savings, repairing instead of replacing your roof works to reduce resource consumption; you’re effectively protecting the environment more than any other roofing option.
Installing All Types of Roofs
At Landmark Roofing, our experience in the industry allows us to install roofs of all types. We can repair and replace commercial and residential roofs quickly and efficiently. Plus, we can take care of your gutters to help give your home a like-new appearance. Our five-star customer reviews and A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau testify to the fact that we care about our customers and the work that we do. To learn more about the great roofing options we offer, contact us at Landmark Roofing today!