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Environmentally-friendly Roofing Options

February 28, 2018

At RSG Construction, we take caring for the environment seriously. In fact, our name stands for “Real, Simple, Green,” and we are Kansas City’s only GAF-certified Green Roofing Company. We’re immensely proud of our ability to provide our environmentally-conscious homeowners with savvy, sustainable roofing solutions. Here’s a few of the environmentally-friendly options you might want to choose from when installing a new roof or replacing an old one.

Recycled shingles. One of the most popular, and most “green” options for roofing material is shingles made from recycled waste materials such as plastic, rubber, or wood. The makeup of these shingles can be from products recycled from our homes or factories, keeping waste out of our landfills. They also reduce pollution because they do not require processing of raw materials (like chopping down trees to make new wooden shingles). These shingles are incredibly durable and resistant to harsh Midwest weather. As a bonus, many recycled shingles come with 50-year warranties and can be re-recycled when it’s time to replace them. They also look just like shingles made from new materials!
Slate and clay tiles. Slate tile roofs can last hundreds of years if maintained properly. While mining slate consumes a fair amount of energy and can be hard on our natural resources, several slate roofing tile manufacturers offer salvaged slate as an option. Most offer salvaged clay tiles as well, although clay tiles are not nearly as durable as slate.
Wood and shake shingles. Many subdivisions in Kansas City require wood or shake shingles. Unfortunately, most of these are made from mature cedar trees, and continuing to produce them is not sustainable. These shingles are also not incredibly durable. When it’s time to replace your wood shingles, consider using reclaimed lumber. There are a few companies in the United States that make shingles from demolished mills, bridges, wine caskets, and a number of other sources.
Metal roofing. Many companies offer recycled options for their metal roofing, and another advantage is that the roof can be recycled when it is time to replace it. Metal roofs are also extremely durable, and can last 50 years or more when properly maintained. They are also extremely successful in prevention of ice dams during cold weather, because they allow the snow to slide right off your roof!
Rubber shingles. One of the most resilient green offerings on the market, rubber shingles are created from old steel-belted radial tires which are coated with ground slate. As with most recycled options, these are extremely hail and wind resistant and come 50 year warranties. Rubber is also a terrific insulator, and might reduce your overall heating and cooling costs.

There are several things to consider when weighing the options for replacing your standard shingles with environmentally friendly alternatives. First, it’s important to make sure the type of shingle that you are considering is allowed in your area or subdivision. You should check the safety rating of each type, including fire and hail ratings. Also, many of these types of shingles might not be as widely available as other roofing options, and can cost a considerable amount more for both the product and the installation. Don’t forget to ask if the shingles that are being replaced can be collected and used to create recycled products as well.

If you are considering an eco-friendly replacement option for your next roofing project, give the experts at RSG Construction a call. Environmental sustainability is a core value of everything we do—it’s so important we put it in our company name. If you are ready for a new roof and would like to know more about your options, give the team at RSG a call at 816-866-4235 or just click HERE to schedule your complimentary consultation.