Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Environmentally Friendly Roofing Options For Dallas Homes

By Winston L. Forrester


With green manufacturing becoming a force in the roofing industry, homeowners will begin to encounter these new options when it is time to renovate. Can you drastically improve the energy efficiency of your home by switching to a greener roof? Factors including durability, sustainability and the overall efficiency of your home will tip the balance in one way or the other. Here is help analyzing your choices in green roofing.

Start with an assessment of your home's overall efficiency. Green roofing solutions can be considered the icing on the cake, but a home's HVAC system, ductwork and insulation are the key elements of a home's energy efficiency. Old, ineffective insulation should be replaced and leaks in ductwork plugged. Once every element of your home's efficiency has been considered, sustainable roofing could make your home a truly green establishment.

Research the efficiency of roofing materials in your area. Urban locations with hotter climates are perfectly suited for "cool roofs." A cool roof (usually of a light color) can deflect the heat coming down from the sun and provide superior insulation to keep most of the remaining heat out of your home. Green options in colder climates involve materials that trap heat, rather than reflect it. Clay and metal roofs, both of which insulate well, can be used to make green roofs in a warm climate.

Be aware of the sustainability of your green roof solution. While roofing waste continue to be a problem for landfills, homeowners are looking for an option in green roofing that is verifiable and sustainable. Wood, once considered impractical because of tree shortages, is actually a sustainable material. The problem with wood revolves around the mold that collects in humid climates. Asphalt is the least sustainable choice, as it takes petroleum to make the materials while considerable pollution is created during the installation process. Metal and clay are the greenest, most versatile materials available. Just as shingles are different roofing contractors vary greatly as well.

Analyze the overall durability of the materials. The durability factor must be considered when you are looking for a green roof. Metal roofs are incredibly durable, but are among the most expensive options on the table. Wood that is sustainably harvested can be another excellent option in terms of durability, but this material mainly works in dryer climates. Each home requires its own solution once all factors have been weighed.

Many green roofing options will sound appealing at first, but you should check factors like sustainability and durability, as each climate has an ideal solution.




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