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The problem with asphalt shingles is that it a petroleum based product, which means that it is inherently ecologically and environmentally unfriendly roofing choice. There is no easy and effective way to dispose off all the asphalt shingle roof other then to tear it off, and send it into the landfill where it will be buried in the ground and left there for decades to decompose.

One does not to be a hardcore environmentalist to see how detrimental asphalt shingles roofing products are to the nature and the environment. So, the big question comes up, what is an environmentally friendly and practical roofing alternative to an asphalt shingle roof? The answer is simple, for the last few years metal roofing has been gaining market share and popularity as a green roofing material of choice.

Metal roofing can last much longer than an asphalt shingle roof, which only averages 10 to 20 years of service life. Metal roofing on the other hand, can last well over 35 years when properly installed.
The key to a long lasting metal roof is strict adherence to the metal roofing manufacturers installation guidelines.

Metal Roofing Installation Video

Installing metal roofing correctly involves preparation of the roof deck, proper application of roofing underlayment, and correct installation of metal roofing system. Whether or not you hire a professional metal roofing contractor, or choose to go do it yourself way, be sure to follow the installation instructions thoroughly. This way your metal roof will last for decades providing energy savings, maintenance free roof protection, and durable and long lasting beauty.

Here are a few reasons to consider metal roofing for your home

Metal roofing is reliable and long lasting green building material, which means that you can earn green building credits for the installation of the energy efficient metal roof that is rated by Cool-Roof council and by Energy Star for its solar reflective properties.

Metal roofing can help lower your homeowner’s insurance by as much as 35%. Metal roofs are fire retardant, which means they do not support fire, which can be a significant factor if you live in a heavily wooded area. Metal roofs can withstand powerful storms and category four hurricane winds. This may be very helpful if you live in a hurricane prone area.

Metal roofs provide excellent protection in the cold climates. Coated with specialty coatings, metal roofs shed snow and ice, which may help you prevent ice dams from forming on your roof.

As far as aesthetics go, modern metal roofs may add a unique touch of modern architecture to your home. You can choose from than traditional metal shingles and shakes profiles available in beautiful metal roofing colors, to the vertically oriented lines of standing-seam metal roofing panels that can easily be enhanced with roof integrated solar roofing panels. This combination will make your house not only energy efficient, but also capable of generating electricity from the sun.

Do not let the initially higher metal roofing costs to deter you from considering installing metal roofing for your home. Metal roofing will help you lower your cooling costs, appraise the value of your property, and provide many years of reliable and worry free service to you.

Green Building and Environmental Responsibility

Fuel hungry cars, airplanes, and manufacturing plants are not the only CO 2 / carbon footprint contributors. Residential, commercial, and industrial buildings are also contributing a great deal to overall carbon footprint. Poorly insulated buildings consume vast amounts of energy, natural resources, and contribute to greenhouse gases affect. One of the ways to combat environmental degradation associated with poorly constructed buildings, is to use green building technology in retrofitting of existing buildings and constructing new buildings using green building practices.

Green building practices encourage environmental responsibility through the use of sustainable building materials in residential and commercial retrofit and new construction projects. The roof structure of the building is not an exception when it comes to in green building design. In fact, roof constructed according to green building practices can earn green building credits with the U.S. green building council based in Washington, DC.

Whole Foods Market place, one of the U.S. top organic food retailers has embraced green building technology by building a state of the art store made of aluminum and green building materials. The roof design incorporates vegetated roofing technology by using easy to integrate green roofing containers containing local vegetation. Green roofing design provides energy savings, insulation, and combats urban heat island affect.

In order for a roofing system to qualify for green building credits it must meet solar reflectivity index of a minimum of 78 percents for flat roofs and 29 percents for sloped roofs. Solar reflectivity index is assigned by cool-roof rating council. SRI incorporates solar reflectivity and thermal emissivity.

Metal roofs provide a wide variety of sustainable roofing options including standing-seam roofs made with long lasting and environmentally friendly metals such as aluminum, zinc, steel and copper. Metal roofs contain up to 50% post consumer content and are fully recyclable. Painted metal roofing panels are coated with solar reflective paint finishes that help keep the roof cooler in warm seasons.

The use of metal in a residential, commercial and industrial roofing aides in reducing building’s carbon footprint, and provides long lasting and reliable roofing solution that is also U.S green building council accredited.

In a typical residential re-roofing situation, the cool-roof rated galvanized steel metal roofing system can offer longevity, durability, energy savings, and earn green building credits for existing buildings and new construction. Modern steel shingle metal roofing systems are available in wide variety of cool-roof rated metal roofing colors that literally reflect solar radiant heat, reduce air conditioning load and provide energy savings.

For homeowners whose roof is covered with a flat roof, installing PVC based cool flat roof membrane similar to IB roofs in performance will provide significant energy savings, reliability, and long lasting roofing solution. Yes, PVC and green combination may seem counter intuitive, but PVC roofs can last three times longer than EPDM Rubber roofs and can be recycled when the roof has served its purpose. Certain PVC roofing systems are designed to withstand standing / ponds of water, which means that they can be used for vegetated green roofing systems.

No matter what type of metal / cool roofing system you choose, be sure to pay special attention to longevity and Cool Roof ratings of the roofing system in question.

References:

Metal Roofing Materials

Green Roofing

Metal roofing and green building