Recycling Asphalt Shingles
Due to their low cost and the wide range of products available, asphalt shingles are one of the most commonly used roofing materials for homes and small buildings. Because they have a relatively short lifespan when compared to other types of roofing materials, asphalt shingles must be replaced often. Many homeowners often do not wonder what happens to all of those asphalt shingles.
Every year, it is estimated that at least 10 million tons of asphalt shingles are torn off homes in the U.S. Much of this waste ends up in local landfills where it will take approximately 300 years to break down. Asphalt shingles cannot be burned as they release gasses that are extremely toxic to humans. The only other option is to recycle them.
For those who want to attempt to tear off their old roof themselves, getting the shingles to the right type of recycling facility can be difficult and expensive. Further, not all recycling facilities are able to handle asphalt shingles. Toms River roofing contractors can arrange to have the shingles taken to the closest recycling facilities easily due to the sheer amount of old asphalt shingles that they work with.
Once non-asphalt materials are removed, such as roofing nails, decking and underlayment, the shingle asphalt can be turned into a wide range of products.
Most of the asphalt goes into road paving projects. The addition of shingle asphalt can actually improve the quality of the nation’s roadways by making them able to better withstand the elements. If the shingles are not used to make the roads, they can be used to patch roads, bridges and sidewalks.
In some cases, recycled shingle asphalt can be used to craft new shingles. These can be installed on homes and small businesses. Those who are interested in using recycled shingles for their new roof should discuss their options with their trusted roofing contractor. Other shingles end up as fuel oil or as a material that is used to control erosion on major construction sites.
When homeowners are looking for an eco-friendly option for their new roofs, some decide against an asphalt shingle roof because they are thought to be wasteful. While new shingles are not environmentally friendly, homeowners can do their part to recycle their old shingles and even consider installing recycled shingles when it is time to install a new roof. A local roofing contractor should be able to assist homeowners who are interested. The roofing experts at Fortified Roofing of Toms River NJ can answer your questions about gutters or roof repairs.
Term explained by roofing company Fortified Roofing, Toms River NJ:
Roofing nails
Roofing nails, also known as clout nails, are used to attach shingles to the roof decking to prevent them from coming loose and blowing away. They may also be used to anchor the underlayment and flashing to the decking.
Toms River FAQ about roofing:
What is the recycling process for asphalt shingles?
Once the shingles have been collected in a construction trash bin at the site, the entire load of shingles with nails still attached will be taken to a recycling facility that can process them. After the nails are removed using strong magnets, the remaining shingle materials will be ground up into smaller pieces to be used on construction projects in the future.
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