This blog post was written by: Sarasota Roofing
There are many ways of doing what one can to be more environmentally friendly and to help preserve the planet, and now roofing is one of them. Going green, like charity, begins at home and many people are now choosing to install eco-friendly roofing options that are good for the environment.
The first option is that of the innovative solar roof shingles that use photovoltaic cells to transform solar energy to provide electricity for your home. It is advised that they be used on the south side of the roof to utilize the maximum power of the sun through as much exposure as is possible.
The advantage of this form of energy is of course that it is completely renewable, produces no waste, has no harmful effects and is a green source of energy that helps the environment. The best part is, the government subsidizes this form of electricity generation to make it worth the cost of using the photovoltaic energy and in a few years it is projected to cost as much as grid electricity, making it a good investment now.
Another interesting choice is the green roof, which involves coating the entire surface of your roof with plants, making it literally a green roof. This may sound avant-garde but can be quite pleasing to see. These plants also help increase greenness in urban regions, restore natural habitats for birds, reduce the levels of heat building and use up carbon dioxide. A useful feature is the ability to soak up as much as 95% of rainwater, reducing runoff and water damage to the building.
If you’re looking to install a green roof, there are two options you can choose from: extensive and intensive. The former uses soil and creates an environment that sustains plants, herbs, grasses and trees that grow on their own and cannot be used for interactive purposes.
Intensive green roofs on the other hand are more costly and simultaneously more environmentally friendly options that enable recreational activity and interactive behavior. These roofs use soil to sustain the growth of a larger variety of trees and plants and have the ability to sustain much larger trees.
The greatest advantage of these roofs in the short term is that they replace the heat-absorbing materials commonly used for roofs, such as concrete, slate and asphalt. This helps beat the common problem of hot spots in towns, cities and urban areas. When sunlight is captured, instead of heating up the building, solar roofs transform the energy into usable power. Other eco-friendly options you can avail include recycled materials and shingles as well as wood shakes. Wood shakes, particularly those made of cedar, provide twice the insulation asphalt does and grow more beautiful with age instead of fading, becoming damaged and needing replacement.
Whichever option you go for, you can help reduce waste or help offset the damage inflicted by urban centers and cities. If you decide to go with asphalt roofing, you can still go green by choosing a variety that will remain durable for decades to come.