Need A New Roof? How To Go Greener With Asphalt Roofing

by Grace Motley

When it comes to the choices available for going green, new roofing is one of the best places to start. After all, your home's roofing can contribute many benefits beyond just providing cover. Your roof is exposed to the elements all the time, so you want something that can stand up to those demands. Asphalt roofing is a popular roofing choice for homeowners. Here's a look at some of the things that can make asphalt roofing an environmentally-friendly roofing choice.

Reduced Home Energy Needs

Installing a quality asphalt roofing material can help you to reduce your home energy demands. In order to maximize this savings, there are a few things to consider when choosing your shingles.

Light Colored Shingles

Asphalt shingles are available in many colors. Choose shingles in a lighter color so that they will reflect the sun's heat instead of absorbing it. This reduces the amount of heat transferred into your house from the sun, which can save you significantly on your summer cooling costs.

Another advantage to light colors for your shingles is the longer lifespan. Since lighter colors don't absorb heat, your shingles will not expand and contract as much from temperature changes. This can help you to reduce the occurrence of cracking and damage in the roof.

Radiant Heat Barrier

Before you install your new asphalt shingles, you can add a radiant heat barrier beneath them. The thin metal insulation layer will help to prevent the transfer of radiant heat. Together with asphalt shingles, you can nearly eliminate the radiant heat effect on your home's climate control system. This can reduce your energy costs significantly.

Reduced Waste

Asphalt roofing is available in recycled material. Recycled asphalt shingles are made with recycled paper waste as well as reclaimed aggregate. The more recycled shingle material you can use, the less waste will end up in the landfills. It also reduces the demand on new material production, which can help to preserve the raw materials.

You can also help to reduce roofing material waste by choosing an asphalt shingle with a long lifespan. The longer the anticipated lifespan of your shingles, the less frequent your replacement will need to be. For example, opt for a roofing shingle with a thirty-year lifespan instead of one with a ten-year life span to get nearly three times the usable life from your new roof.

Asphalt roofing is one of the most accessible options for homeowners. By considering these tips, you can make your asphalt roofing more energy efficient and reduce the environmental effect of your choice. Contact your local roofing experts, like Ziparo Brothers Construction, to determine which options work best for you.

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