As the world becomes more environmentally conscious and people are becoming more aware of how their everyday lives affect the environment, there has been an increase in buzzwords and phrases flying around describing the new eco-conscious movement. These words and phrases can become confusing after a while, and it can be pretty hard to keep up.
One buzzword popping up in the roofing industry is sustainable roofing. A sustainable roof is energy efficient and produces clean energy as well.
No material can be absolutely 100% environmentally friendly, but some are closer to that 100% than others. Some materials may be found naturally, but their extraction process may be damaging to the environment. The creation of other materials may fall a little short when it comes to sustainability, but they significantly reduce your carbon footprint thanks to their longevity.
There are many factors that make something sustainable or unsustainable. While we can’t speak for everything, we can give you a little more information about what precisely a sustainable roof is.
Sustainable Roofing
There are many ways that home and business owners can introduce sustainable materials and practices into their roofing systems. These include:
ADEQUATE ROOF VENTILATION AND INSULATION
By installing enough roof insulation and allowing for enough roof ventilation, you’ll significantly reduce the amount of money spent on energy bills. This is because insulation and ventilation are responsible for regulating your home’s temperature.
According to James L. Hoff, research director for the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing in Washington, D.C, if all home and business owners had properly insulated roofing systems, the amount of energy saved by the US could reach 700 trillion Btu.
EFFECTIVE STORMWATER CATCHMENT
When it comes to water on your roofing system, most homeowners simply want to remove excess water immediately. People invest in premium gutter systems to do the job and often opt for sloped roofing because of its adequate water-draining properties.
However, did you know that you could do more with the water draining away from your home? You could use it as irrigation for your garden or even in your swimming pool. You can make your roofing system that much more sustainable by investing in a proper stormwater catchment.
ECO-FRIENDLY ROOFING MATERIALS
Many roofing materials on the market offer homeowners great benefits regarding sustainability. The leading sustainable roofing material is metal roofing. It has a long lifespan, requires minimal maintenance, is often made up of recycled metals and can be recycled once again once it reaches the end of its lifespan.
However, we’re aware that metal roofing can be quite an expensive option. Luckily, it isn’t your only option. Thanks to the developments in asphalt shingle technology, you’re now able to recycle your old asphalt shingle roofing. These shingles are recycled and used as sidewalk paving. You can, therefore, rest assured that your old shingles will not end up in a landfill.
There are many ways to make your home a little greener. For more information, give Whalen Exteriors a call today!
