April is Earth Month, so what better time to talk about environmentally friendly roofing materials?

When you think about being environmentally friendly, some of the first things that come to mind are usually recycling, plastic use, and reducing petrol emissions. One of the last things you might think about is your roof. Yet your roof can be a major source of energy leakage from your home, and the material you use for your roof makes a real difference.

Natural roofing material

Slate is a popular choice for roofs because it looks great, and it’s very hard-wearing. It’s also a natural material, making it a reasonably environmentally friendly option. As well as being a natural resource, the manufacturing process for slate creates minimal CO2 emissions. Plus, slate is durable and sometimes even reusable, making it a great eco-friendly roofing choice. However, slate roofs are usually not installed on a pitch less than 4:12, so they’re not suitable for every roof.

Recycled roofing material

EPDM rubber roofs are made of recycled materials, are incredibly durable, and can last a very long time with some basic care and maintenance. They’re also a generally low-cost option, making them an excellent choice if you have a flat or low-slope roof.

Eco-Friendly roofing is about more than just materials

Of course, choosing an eco-friendly roofing material is only one part of the puzzle. If your property or budget make the environmentally-friendly roofing options mentioned above unsuitable, then don’t despair.

In fact, choosing the right material for your roof is probably the most eco-friendly roofing decision anyone can make. You can still ensure your roof is as eco-friendly as possible, regardless of the materials used.

To lower the environmental cost of your roof, it’s essential to properly maintain and repair your roof during its lifecycle. Doing this means that your roof will need replacing less often, reducing roofing material waste.

Professional installation is also important. A properly installed and well-maintained roof helps your home retain or reflect heat, keeping your heating and air conditioning energy bills down and lowering your carbon footprint.

Skylights can be an eco-friendly choice too

If you’re considering having skylights installed, you can rest assured that these can also provide some environmentally friendly benefits.

For example, they bring a lot of natural light to areas of your home that might otherwise be dim even during daylight hours. This natural light helps reduce reliance on electrical lighting, as well as making a room look and feel more spacious and welcoming. On cooler days, the additional sunlight through the skylights can also add some passive heat to your home.

More and more people and businesses are becoming conscious of how their daily choices affect the environment. At Pace Roofing, Philadelphia, we’re finding that our customers are becoming interested in what eco-friendly roofing options we can offer them.

If you want to find out how you can have your roof installed, replaced or repaired in the most cost-effective and eco-friendly manner, why not contact us today to see how we can help?