What Exactly Is A Green Roofing Product

Green products are available in virtually every sector of business. Home building and roofing materials are no exception. For consumers looking to replace a roof on either a home or a business, the green options are worth considering.

A product is considered green if it is made completely or partially from recycled materials, or if it is made of a sustainable material like responsibly forested wood. A roof may also be considered green if it is constructed in such a way that it reduces the energy consumption required to heat or cool the home.

Currently, a consumer can find roofing products in a variety of green materials. Some tiles are formed from the rubber reclaimed from recycled tires. Other roofing tiles are constructed from clay or slate, both green materials that have been around long before the current green trend gained popularity.

You'll also find fiber-cement roofing products. These typically are made from a mixture of cement combined with sand, clay, and wood fiber. Ideally, the wood fiber in these products is reclaimed or recycled wood. Other products may not seem green at first glance. Consider reflective surfacing products, including metal like aluminum.

These types of roofing products are estimated to reduce cooling costs by anywhere from 10 to 40 percent, and are often constructed of recycled metal. They can be found as both shingles and larger sheet type roofing as might be found in an industrial setting. Some reflective roof surfaces are created by using a mineral topcoat on an existing roof to achieve a better level of reflecting, thereby reaping the green benefits and in essence, re-purposing an existing roof. Costs of green roofing products in comparison to the traditional products vary. A reflective coating added to an existing roof is typically the least expensive. Some of the popular green products, like metal roofs may cost more initially, but are designed to last longer than any traditional roofing material. Be sure to take into consideration both the longevity of the finished product, and the potential energy savings over time when calculating costs.

Green products are important to consider, as their benefits are widespread. Using products that are made from recycled items offers the obvious benefit of reducing waste. Using sustainable products, like responsibly forested wood products, prevents the depletion of resources that are important to our planet's health.

Try to shop for products that are as local as possible. This reduces not only costs related to transportation, but also reduces some of the environmental impacts generated by the transporting of goods. An environmentally conscious consumer or business owner now has a wide range of choices available when investing in a new roof. Style and zoning may come into play, but the variety is broad enough to meet virtually everyone's needs.