Asphalt Roof Shingles Are Not Green Roofing Materials in Atlanta
Over 75% of U.S. homes have asphalt roofing shingles due to less cost, quick and easy installation, and resiliency. Sadly, asphalt shingles have a lower insulative value, a lesser life expectancy compared to several roofing materials, are made from petroleum products and so are typically not even recyclable a result of the layer of fiberglass between the asphalt coating.
Regular asphalt roofing shingles are available in a variety of shades, longevity choices, and price points. Generally going to be your lowest priced selection for your homes roof, nonetheless they are definitely the worst for the natural environment. Still, there are
Atlanta cool roof shingles that provide some green qualities. They may seem sensible in the short run, but across the lifespan of the roof a lot of the options below are much better for the environment as well as for your savings account.
Atlanta Green Roofing Materials
1. Wooden roofing shingles, for example cedar shakes, are generally natural, possess twice the insulative value of asphalt, and grow even more beautiful while they get older. Even so, wood is expensive to get and install, and it typically doesn’t pass fire guidelines only if coated with chemicals, which defeats the initial intent of utilizing wood shake. The normal swelling and shrinking of wood can also result in splits and water damage, which will result in rot as time goes by.
2. Metal roofs are a handful of the coolest roofs on the market, in both temperature and also in aesthetics for homes. Metal roofs come in copper, aluminum, and stainless steel, and quite often have a great percentage of recycled material. They have a greater insulative benefit, sun reflectance, and longevity, normally lasting two times as long as wood or asphalt. They also come in many profiles from standing seam to corrugated. Even so, metal roofs produced from virgin metals demand large sums of energy to handle and create, and metal roofing can certainly be pricey.
3. Slate is probably the most durable roofing product, however it is often pricey, with high-end installs ranging between $50 - $100 for each square foot. Slate will last a very long time, however the fasteners in which adhere it on the roof deck will certainly need replacing after around 100 years. While a natural material, slate is incredibly durable and even recyclable. It can be purchased in a number of tones and the variance of color is what provides it with unique character. Because slate is a non-renewable resource removed from the planet, the energy to bring it from quarry to rooftop results in a large footprint.
4. Clay tiles invoke a specific Mediterranean style, have a lisfespan of 50+ years along with excellent insulative value, and are also Class A fire graded. Clay roofing tiles comes in lighter shades which adhere to the cool roof requirements and can reflect in excess of 50% of the sun’s solar energy. Clay tile can be manufactured to look like most other types of roofing product.
No matter which
green roofing material you choose for your Atlanta home, it is only a good as the installation. Be sure to use a qualified and experienced Atlanta
roof professional who will not only install the green roof material properly, but the other components of the
complete roof system. Be sure to understand what maintenance needs to be done and how often. Finally, know how storm damage like hail and high winds will affect your
roof.
