Green Roofing Options

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Slate roofs are perhaps the most durable of all roofing materials. In fact, the slate can last well past the life of the building, making it extremely recyclable.
Slate roofs are perhaps the most durable of all roofing materials. In fact, the slate can last well past the life of the building, making it extremely recyclable.
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Made of synthetic rubber, this recycled roof has the look and feel of slate, but weighs significantly less.
Made of synthetic rubber, this recycled roof has the look and feel of slate, but weighs significantly less.
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Left: Clay-tile roofs are often considered green for their ability to be removed, reused and installed on other buildings. Additionally, clay has a high resistance to wind and fire, and is low maintenance. Right: “Living roofs” offer a way to reduce heating and cooling costs, improve local air quality, mediate urban heat-island effects and reduce storm-water runoff.
Left: Clay-tile roofs are often considered green for their ability to be removed, reused and installed on other buildings. Additionally, clay has a high resistance to wind and fire, and is low maintenance. Right: “Living roofs” offer a way to reduce heating and cooling costs, improve local air quality, mediate urban heat-island effects and reduce storm-water runoff.
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Slate roofs are perhaps the most durable of all roofing materials. In fact, the slate can last well past the life of the building, making it extremely recyclable.
Slate roofs are perhaps the most durable of all roofing materials. In fact, the slate can last well past the life of the building, making it extremely recyclable.
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These thin-film photovoltaic panels are bonded directly onto the metal roof.
These thin-film photovoltaic panels are bonded directly onto the metal roof.
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Slate roofs are perhaps the most durable of all roofing materials. In fact, the slate can last well past the life of the building, making it extremely recyclable.
Slate roofs are perhaps the most durable of all roofing materials. In fact, the slate can last well past the life of the building, making it extremely recyclable.

Builders have always said “a good hat and good shoes” are essential to protect a house from any type of weather. Even so, home builders opt to install the cheapest, shortest-lived shingles on four out of five new homes built in the United States today.

“‘First cost’ is the overriding issue in most home building,” says Alex Wilson, executive editor of BuildingGreen, publishers of Environmental Building News and Green Building Products. “Builders are trying to get the most house for the least money. And most homeowners have bought into the idea that they should build or buy the largest house they can afford.oing so means they cut corners on the material’s durability and performance.”

Incorporating green building materials into your home makes much more sense when you take a long-term view of home building and its life cycle costs. Only then is it apparent that building with better roofing materials is in your best interest. And now, eco-friendlier roofs are more attractive, affordable, durable and readily available than ever. 

Criteria to Consider

  • Published on Feb 1, 2005
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