Environmentally-Friendly Roofing is Affordable

by | Feb 5, 2013 | Roofing

In an era when going green is touted not only as a way to save the planet, but also as a way to save money, there are ways to affordably do both when you buy the right kind of roofing. Fort Collins, CA roofing contractors can help install a roof on your home that works best to both insulate and ventilate your home in a way that saves energy, using durable materials that lost a really long time.

When it comes to choosing the materials you use for your shingles, there are various factors to consider in terms of how “ecologically sound” any given material may be for your purposes. Most people opt for the cheapest, which is asphalt shingles. These are also the less durable and cause more damage to the environment than other options. They will need to be replaced sooner, as well, which means that even though they are cheaper for the moment, over the duration of the time that you live in your home they may wind up being the most expensive.

Wood shingles are less expensive than other options, such as slate, but like asphalt, wood can easily rot and deteriorate, and in some cases may have even less longevity than asphalt. Wood usually does not have intrinsic chemicals that pollute the environment, but if the forest from which the wood came is not responsibly managed, using wood can also be detrimental to global ecology as well. Wood also does not insulate the home as effectively as other materials might.

Metal is a superior option over wood or asphalt because many metals used in roofing in Fort Collins, CO are recycled, and metal lasts for a long time. It is also effective in insulation. The energy costs of manufacturing metal shingles are pretty dire, however, so it’s less ecologically friendly than ceramic or a cosmopolitan mix of recycled materials.

Ceramic tiles are fairly inexpensive and are often less costly than wood shingles, and are probably the most sensible way to go for most residents seeking eco-friendly roofing in Fort Collins, CO. Ceramic may last for an entire lifetime, up to 100 years, before it needs to be replaced, and many manufacturers provide a 75 year warrantee. It is also friendly to the environment and works well in home ventilation, which reduces energy costs from month to month.

Probably the best option for those who are willing or able to spend more but are truly concerned about the environment is a cornucopia of recycled materials made from all the foregoing, including wood, plastic, rubber, ceramic, and other materials, that can be made to look like wood or other materials as well. This is an affordable option for most people, though initially more expensive; recycled materials for roofing in Fort Collins, CO ultimately pays for itself.

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