GREEN ROOF COMPREHENSION
Durability:
Green roof materials and durability go together. Durability is synonymous with longevity. The more durable a product is, the longer it remains in service and the lower the total cost to the environment will be. Using durable products also reduces pollution and landfill waste. Recycled aluminum, steel roofing for example, outlast less durable products such as asphalt shingles.
Materials:
Green roofing materials are the second element. Manufacturers are trying to create products that take less energy to make. This includes the amount of energy needed to extract raw materials, to process ingredients and to transport the finished product to the job site. Builders can start thinking green by using materials that contain recycled components.
Energy Consumption:
Energy Consumption is foremost on everyone’s mind these days. A good energy plan will produce immediate bottom-line results for you personally. An example of this is insulation. Insulation has been shown to be good for the environment by cutting down on carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide emissions. In the winter, roof insulation holds needed heat in a building and in the summer, it keeps out unwanted heat. Most summer heat gain is from the roof top. Something as simple as using a reflective coating or a lighter color roofing material (light reflects rather than absorbs sun light) can save you money in the long run.
So, what can you personally do to make your roof green?
- Use engineered lumber for framing (engineered wood is made from wood fibers bound with adhesives, resulting in less wood waste than solid-sawn lumber).
- Use low or no formaldehyde strand board.
- Use recycled newsprint or recycled newsprint and agricultural fibers for roof decking to eliminate waste.
- Try Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) for building a roof. This reduces the amount of framing lumber and cuts energy losses.
- Roofing felt made from recycled paper products reduces landfill and saves on the demand for natural resources.
- Metal roofing from recycled steel or aluminum utilizes wastes and saves energy, and the durability reduces replacement and maintenance costs.
- Shingles made from recycled materials such as sawdust, cement, recycled rubber etc. puts waste to good use and provides lasting performance.
Other green roof suggestions include the concept of using the roof as more than protection against the elements. keep the four sustainability guidelines in mind (durability, materials, energy consumption and reuse/recycling).
GERRY RAY’S ROOFING INC. (253)-394-6687
TACOMA ROOFING CONTRACTOR
