Most modern homeowners realise that what we once thought was great for the environment no longer stands today. In the past, we created building materials and disposed of them without thinking about where they’d end up in a few decades and whether or not they’d have a good impact on the environment when breaking down. These days we know better and understand that sustainably created and recyclable materials are the name of the game. Here’s what you need to know about the current options on today’s market and the impact that each roofing material could have on your reroofing services.

Wooden Roofs

Wooden roofs are an environmentally friendly choice if you choose your wood correctly and live in the right environment. Mild climates will suit wood roofs well as they won’t have to worry about it rotting or breaking down in the rain, but you need to ensure that the area’s fire risk is low. If you have your wood treated for fire safety, it could prevent them from being recyclable. If you’re planning on choosing this material, make sure you’re willing to maintain it and ensure you source an FSC approved wood from a local, sustainable supplier.

Asphalt Roofs

Asphalt shingles are a popular option because they’re cheap and easy to install. New brands and types of asphalt roofing tend to last a long time, and while the material was dumped in landfills in the past, its fast becoming recognised for its use in paving. Asphalt shingles have the added benefit of being a roofing type that is better suited to hosting solar panels than other types of shingle roofs, as it’s easier to attach a solar shingle to it.

Metal Roofs

Metal roofs are versatile in appearance and can come in shingle or tile form, amongst other shapes. While it tends to be costlier than asphalt, it has one of the longest lifespans of any roofing material and if taken care of can last over a lifetime. It’s naturally fireproof and can also support thin-film solar power systems quite well – but you’ll need to take into account that it will require insulation to prevent it from being noisy during wind and rain.

Your choice of material counts – but so does your maintenance of it. A metal roof might be easy to recycle and long-lasting, but it won’t be a reliable choice if you neglect it and have to replace it every other decade. To keep on top of your roof maintenance requirements, partner with a business that can provide a maintenance and reroofing service like Archer Roofing today.