Roof replacement is a massive expense that is also a valuable investment in your home. Replacing your roof will add to your home's curb appeal while keeping you, your family, and your possessions protected from the harsh elements.

When choosing a new roof, homeowners usually prioritize their budget, performance, and their own preferences. However, as more people adopt a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle, it became possible to incorporate sustainability into your home's build and design.

Environmentally friendly roofs have gained in popularity as it brings many benefits. Not only can it help you reduce your carbon footprint, but it can also help save up your energy consumption. Energy bills are a major and recurring expense that comes with owning a home. Installing an eco-friendly roofing system designed to maximize energy efficiency will help you lower your heating and cooling costs.

When it comes to roofing, you have a lot of environmentally roofing options available on the market. While each material has its unique features and advantages, finding the best one for your home will depend on your specific circumstances.

Below are the top eco-friendly roofing materials available and what you should know about each one.

Environmentally Friendly Roofing Choices

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is a fantastic eco-friendly and durable option. Admittedly, metal roofs are pricier than asphalt roofing. However, it's the perfect choice for those concerned with the environment as metal roofing can be made from recycled metal. Not only that, but this roof can also be recycled after it served its purpose.

They are also energy efficient. Metal roofs have coated with highly reflective properties, reflecting the sun's heat away from the structure. Since it helps insulate and regulate indoor temperature better, your HVAC system won't have to put as much energy to generate heat and cool air.

As a result, you can save from 40-50 percent in energy costs. It also cuts down on the carbon emissions HVAC systems release, contributing to the global issue of pollution. This investment will pay for itself in the long run and is excellent for those who want to go green.

Wood Shakes and Shingles

Builders and homeowners seek out wood shakes and shingles for their classic or rustic look. A home with wooden shakes or shingles can catch the eye of any onlooker for its sophistication. But more than that, it's also a genuinely sustainable roofing material.

Wood is a 100% natural and biodegradable material. When the roof is replaced, the old wood can be chipped into useful garden mulch. This helps reduce the roofing waste from further building up in the landfills. Although, you don't have to worry much about the end of its lifecycle for a while. This material can last for up to 40 years with regular maintenance.

This roofing material also comes from a sustainably managed forest where strategically-planned harvesting and replanting are all part of the cycle of sustainability. Some companies would even use the leftover wood from various places like old bridges, mills, buildings, and other sources.

What's more, wood roofing can provide excellent energy efficiency as it is a natural insulator, helping maintain the temperature indoors. This will lower your energy bills significantly compared to less energy-efficient roofing that leaks heat or cold.

While wood roofing offers many benefits, it comes at a high cost compared to those of a metal roof. You'll also have to commit to some regular maintenance since they are chemically treated to keep to prevent mold growth, pest infestations, and fire risks. Despite the chemical treatment, using wood in areas where there is a risk of bush and forest fires should be avoided.

Green Roofing

No roof can get as environmentally friendly as a green roof. This is a type of roof wherein the top of your home is turned into an actual garden. The construction of a green roof or garden roof involves growing plants, trees, grass, and shrubs on a thin layer of soil over a roof's waterproof layer.

Installing a green roof will not only help your home stand out but also one of the eco-friendliest roofs in the market. As a result of the growing vegetation, this roof will moderate the heat, especially during the summer. This will reduce your energy expenses. It also aids in improving the overall air quality of the area.

Additionally, you don't have to worry about its durability since living roofs are the kind of roof that can last longer than most roof materials.

The only downside to a green roof is the high-cost of setting one up. This type of roof requires much planning and preparation to ensure that the structure can handle the weight of the plants, soil, and water. As a result, the installation costs become more expensive than your average roof.

A green roof will also need some maintenance as time goes on. While the plants are mostly self-sufficient, they will still need the occasional watering, feeding, and weeding. As a plant dies, it will need to be replaced as a dead plant can ruin the look of your roof.

These expenses are what make green roofs rare in residential areas and more common in public buildings. However, some find that the long-term benefits that it brings outweigh the expenses of installing a green roof.

Recycled Shingles

Shingles made from recycled waste materials are another green approach to eco-friendly roofing. One of the most popular environmentally friendly roofing options, recycle shingles are made from waste sources such as plastic, rubber, or wood fiber. They can come from either post-home or post-industrial waste.

Recycled shingles help keep waste off landfills and reduce the need to extract and process raw materials, lower energy consumption, and reduce pollution. Some of these products are recyclable to further reducing the harmful effects of roof material disposal.

These roofing materials' durability and weather-proofing properties can rival those of the slate tile roofs when it comes to performance. Additionally, recycled-content shingles are lovely to look at. They are virtually indistinguishable from traditional materials like slate tiles and wood-shake shingles. You'd never know that they were made from waste materials.

Solar Roofing

Solar roofing is one of the newer forms of eco-friendly roofing. This roofing option is truly unique as it can absorb the sun's rays and convert their energy into usable electricity. They do not only save electricity, but they also don't contribute to air pollution as they do not emit wastes and harmful substances to generate electricity.

Solar roofing can come in either solar panels or as the actual shingles that make up the roofing. Solar panels are installed on a roof above the existing shingles. It's why you must have a strong and roof before mounting your solar panels.

On the other hand, solar shingles replace your existing roofing. It acts similarly to traditional roofing materials, but it has been embedded with small solar cells. This allows the shingles to convert light into electricity.

Despite their differences, their purpose remains the same. It has the exceptional ability to cut down electricity bills and reduce carbon emissions. However, the downside is that the initial costs. Solar panels or shingles can get expensive to install compared to other roofing systems. Although, some might argue that the benefits it brings offset the high installation fees.

You also need to ensure that the panels and shingles receive adequate sunlight exposure since it relies on the sun's rays to function.

Regardless of your roofing choice, it is essential to find a reliable roofing contractor to walk you through the installation process. This will help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure that your roof will be durable and long-lasting.

With Universal Contracting of Florida, you can rest assured that your roof will be provided with the best care while the job gets done.  Our team of professionals in Florida aims to provide outstanding craftsmanship while respecting our clients' wishes and exceed their expectations. Visit our website at www.ucroof.com or call us at (866) 404-8045 to learn more.