At Lyons Roofing, we are a proud provider of special roofing services, including options to help your roof become more eco-friendly. We strongly believe you should be able to make your roof as green as possible, especially since this is not only better for the environment, but may also save you money in the long run. Keep reading to learn more about your top green-friendly roofing options, and remember that for all your essential residential and commercial roofing needs, you can count on the experts at Lyons Roofing.
The Top 7 Eco-Friendly Roof Options (& Their Advantages & Disadvantages)
- Cool Roofs: A “cool roof” is a roofing system that uses a combination of white glue and gravel to reflect the sun’s rays, which means the heat that your roof absorbs goes down, rather than building up. This, in turn, ensure you will be less reliant on HVAC/electrical equipment, i.e. you won’t have to run the AC as much in the summer. These roofs are also a great investment because they last longer than traditional roofing systems, though you will have to watch out for mold if you live in an area with high humidity levels. Still, cool roofs are definitely a great choice for homeowners in extremely hot and/or sunny parts of the country.
- Clay/Slate Tiles: Clay and slate remain the best two options for roofing tiles, largely because they are durable and made of eco-friendly materials. They also come in various shapes and colors and are fairly low maintenance. The only downside to slate and clay tiles is they can be difficult to install, and may force you to put in additional structural support for your roof.
- Synthetic Shake Shingles: Synthetic shake shingles are made from a range of materials. For instance, many of these shingles use polyurethane, which is durable, long-lasting, and fire-resistant. They also help to insulate your home, so you do not have to use your HVAC system as much. And with almost no maintenance costs, they are certainly one of the more affordable roofing options on the market. The only downside, really, is that many homeowners don’t find them as aesthetically appealing as…
- Wood Shingles: Out of all the shingle options out there, what continues to make wood so green-friendly? In a word: recycling. Wood shingles are easy to construct out of reclaimed materials, many of which you may actually have laying around your house. They are also extremely customizable, as you can get them in multiple colors and staining. The main downside of wood shingles is that they require a good amount of maintenance to prevent mold growth, and often need to be replaced after 15-20 years.
- Metal Roofing: You might not think wood roofing and metal roofing have a lot in common, however, one advantage of both these options is that can be made of recycled materials. Metal sheeting or tiles also has some similarities to cool roofing systems, as they can reflect the sun’s UV rays from your property. Additionally, metal roofs last a long time, and come in a variety of styles. However, metal roofing is rarely cheap, and can be noisy during storms. Speaking of which, metal tiles may also become discolored as they age and become weathered, and you may notice more dents with this type of roofing.
- Living Roofing: One of the more unique options on the market today, a living roof is essentially a garden on top of your home. Rather than tiles or singles, these roofs allow you to put in plants that can balance thermal levels in your house and help the air quality throughout your property. And if you desire, you can even grow crops up there. However, while living roofs are certainly one of the most green-friendly roof options today, they are also one of the most expensive, as the cost of installation and maintenance is significant if you want any kind of lasting quality.
- Solar Roofing: In addition to increasing in popularity, the concept of “solar roofing” increasingly means multiple things. A solar roof may refer to solar panels that exist on top of your roofing system, or the actual components of the roof itself. At Lyons Roofing, we also offer solar attic fans and solar tubular lights, which will help you save money and add to your property’s aesthetic value. Although the cost of going solar is always expensive upfront, the benefit of this eco-friendly style of roofing is the savings in the long run, as solar panels not only convert sunlight into energy, but also require no heavy maintenance.
For more information on how you can upgrade to a green roof, call now at (520) 447-2522, or simply fill out our contact form online.
