Environmentally Friendly Roofing
Among the most eco-friendly roofing products are wood shingles, metal and roofing made from recycled materials. Factors that pertain to environmental issues include resource sustainability and later recyclability. The amount of energy required to produce the roofing also has a bearing on the environment as do greenhouse gas emissions from the manufacturing process.
Shingles that incorporate recycled rubber, plastic, wood or even certain household and industrial waste products tend to be champions of durability. One manufacturer utilizes at least 75 percent recycled rubber tires in its shingles, which resemble slate tiles. An average roof makes use of between 600 and 1000 waste tires, and this product is impervious to cracking, buckling and rot. They carry a 50-year warranty. Your Voorhees roofing specialist can provide additional details.
Western red cedar shake roofing comes from old-growth resources. Because old-growth forests develop over hundreds of years, the wood harvested from within is not sustainable because it is consumed far more quickly than it can regenerate. Therefore, this roofing is not environmentally friendly. Some companies now produce shakes from reclaimed lumber gleaned from old buildings, bridges and log structures. Since they do not consume living, old growth timber, these shakes are eco-friendly.
Slate roofing tiles have a lifespan of hundreds of years, so even though their manufacturing process is energy consumptive, their durability reduces the demand for replacement. While slate is not strictly a sustainable material, the mineral is plentiful, so consumption does not threaten supply.
Metal roofing is long lasting and recyclable. It does not have chemical content that would leach into snow and rain runoff, so it is eco-friendly as well.
Fortified Roofing of Voorhees NJ would be happy to answer any question you have about roofing, new gutters or skylight installation.
Some companies use recycled metal from aluminum cans and copper waste materials to make sustainable products.
The roof’s underlayment, from plywood decking to weatherproof sheeting, also varies in degrees of environmental impact. Decking need not be replaced with a tear-off reroofing job unless it is damaged. If it does need replacement, opting to use plywood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, or FCS, is a responsible choice. The FCS certifies the products of responsible forestry practices.
Roofing felt, also known as tar paper, covers the sheathing on your roof with a moisture-proof seal. Made of paper, fiber or fiberglass matting that is soaked with asphalt, some roofing felt incorporates recycled materials, which make it as environmentally friendly as it can be.
Steel, lead and copper are the most common metals used in roof flashing materials. By only replacing the flashing as necessary, you can reduce the need for manufacturing. Powder-coated steel flashing does not add harmful chemicals to water runoff. However, lead and copper do. Steel flashing is long lasting and recyclable after removal from your roof.
When planning a home renovation as large as a reroofing project, considering all of the angles helps you make good decisions. While quality, cost and durability are important concerns, don’t neglect to consider the environmental impact of your choices. In the best-case scenario, all of these factors work together to make your reroofing project eco-friendly, cost-effective and long lasting. Fortified Roofing of Voorhees NJ would be happy to answer any question you have about roofing, skylight installation or new gutters.
Common term explained by Fortified Roofing of Voorhees NJ:
Eco-friendly
Eco-friendly practices and products have beneficial impacts on the natural environment, or at the very least, they do not harm it. Eco-friendly practices, such as using household grey water to irrigate landscaping, focus on reusing and recycling natural resources in order to minimize waste.
Question and answer courtesy of a Voorhees roofing contractor:
How does environmentally responsible roofing directly benefit my family?
Using environmentally friendly roofing will benefit your household in several ways. The runoff from your roof will not carry toxic chemicals into your garden or your groundwater, and recycled shingles generally last longer, saving you considerable funds during your occupancy in the home. Environmentally responsible manufacturing practices reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well to keep the air around you cleaner and the earth cooler.
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Oh My! People say such nice things!
