When the time comes to replace your roof, most roofers offer a large choice of common installations. Yet if you want something less common, there are some unique structures that can be a great option, especially when looking for something environmentally friendly.
Before you decide there is no choice other than to settle for the same old thing, talk to a roofer company about recycled rubber shingles, white roofs, or living installations.
Recycled Rubber Shingles
Recycled rubber shingles are made from the rubber from old tires. The rubber is ground up and mixed with binding polymers, then formed into the shape of other shingles commonly installed by roofers such as dimensional asphalt, wood, and slate.
Although they look the same as other materials often installed by roofer companies, recycled rubber is a lesser-known option that offers many benefits. It is more durable than most other shingles, even in extreme heat and cold. It withstands chipping, cracking, or rotting and requires little maintenance. If you desire a longer-lived and more efficient roof that still has the classic look of shingles, recycled rubber could be a great choice.
White Roofs
White or cool roofs are an energy-efficient concept more than they are an actual type of material. Roofers can install a white or cool structure using a variety of materials just as long as the outer surface is white or light in color. The purpose of this technique is to improve thermal efficiency and reduce energy consumption by increasing UV reflectiveness.
There are a number of ways that a roofer company can achieve this, from installing white or light materials to adding light-colored and reflective coatings to existing materials for increased reflectiveness.
Living Roofs
Another unique installation that can be an option for buildings with flat or low sloped tops is a living roof. This classification refers to rooftops that use the space on top of the building in an efficient and environmentally friendly way by turning it into a live, growing surface. In doing so, building tops can be used to grow flowers, food, or even just reduce water runoff.
Properly executed living structures are energy efficient year round, reducing the passage of heat into a building during hot weather and the escape of heat from the building in cold weather. They also help to reduce carbon emissions and promote cleaner air since all plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
If you are interested in a more creative options than asphalt shingles, consider whether recycled rubber, white, or living rooftops may be a good alternative. By working with roofers experienced in using these various materials, you can have a structure that is environmentally friendly and functional as well as unique.
In most cases, you will see significant money savings, either through lower utility bills, longer-lasting structures, or both. Contact a roofer company today to discuss these and other less common choices that can serve all your needs!
