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Call for FREE ESTIMATE There are lots of decisions to be made when it’s time for a new roof. Not only will you need to think about the kind of roof you buy and its warranty, you’ll also need to think about the impact your roof will have on the environment. Fortunately, there are many environmentally responsible roofing choices available. In addition to your budget, the roof you choose will also be decided by your home’s architecture and style. Additionally, some roofing types could qualify you for certain tax breaks. An experienced Palo Alto roofing contractor can help you weigh the pros and cons of each type.
Asphalt Shingles
That’s right. Asphalt shingles can be an environmentally responsible roofing choice. Asphalt shingles have come a long way since their introduction over 100 years ago. Today’s shingles can last as long as 50 years, which will save you re roofing your Palo Alto home at least once over the duration of your mortgage. They are easily remade into asphalt paving material, reducing the amount of roofing waste in landfills. They are coated with specifically engineered reflective granules that qualify them as a cool roofing material, which reduces energy consumption.
Metal Roofing
Because of the reflective nature of metal, all metal roofs are considered cool, with some colors more reflective than others. Metal roofs can also last up to 50 years and are easily recycled once they are no longer useable as roofing material. Metal roofs are also highly resistant to fire and could earn you some clemency from your homeowners’ insurance company.
Roofing Tiles
Roofing tiles made of clay or concrete can be considered cool as long as they are light in color. Plus, the air that is trapped under the tiles due to their shape serves as a barrier to attic heat transfer. Clay and concrete are much heavier than either asphalt shingles or metal roofing and could cause structural problems if the home is not adequately built to support their weight. On the other hand, many manufacturers make metal roofing tiles that mimic clay tiles, combining the beauty of clay tile with the benefits of metal.
Sources:
COOL ROOFING INFORMATION FOR HOME AND BUILDING OWNERS, coolroofs.org
Energy Savings with Cool Metal Roofing, metalroofing.com