Roofing CEO Mike Vermeesch Outlines Environmentally Friendly Roofing Options
By: Mike Vermeesch
Tags: Efficiency, Solar Energy, Home, Roofing, Renovations

Installing one of several green roofing options is the easiest way to reduce a home’s carbon footprint, making use of environmentally friendly materials and reducing energy consumption and heating and cooling costs for decades to come.

Making a roof more environmentally friendly doesn’t even require a complete overhaul. Mike Vermeesch, the operator of Edmonton, Canada-based corporate roofing company Echo Roofing, says that adding reflective paints or sheet coverings can effectively transform any roof into a more efficient one.

Solar panels, metal roofs and skylights are just a few of his other favorite options for converting energy-sapping roofs into greener ones, which he shares below.

Solar Panels

Solar panels are by far the best green roofing option on the market, soaking up the sun’s heat and converting it into usable energy. However, not every roof is suitable for bearing the weight of solar panels. They’re also the most expensive option initially, though Mike Vermeesch says that most homeowners can expect solar panels to pay for themselves within 10–15 years.

“White” Roof

A “white” roof is essentially any lighter colored roof, which can include the materials themselves being lighter or the materials being painted white. Thus, not all white roofs use environmentally friendly materials, as even petroleum-based, non-recyclable shingles come in white now. A white roof can remain up to 50 degrees cooler under the sun’s glare, cutting down cooling costs and extending the lifespan of the roof itself.

Metal Roof

Metal roofs offer numerous benefits offer more traditional roofing materials, including their long-life spans and ability to shrug off even the most inclement weather. The latter makes them a great option in areas frequently buffeted by high winds and buried in snow (which slides right off them). They’re also a great environmental option, being fully recyclable and highly reflective.

Tile Roof

Tile roofs made from reclaimed clay or slate are environmentally friendly and offer an impressive array of features, topped by their incredible lifespans, as they’re capable of pushing to the century mark. They also feature high solar reflectance and are quite durable overall. However, clay tiles can chip easily, requiring regular maintenance. Like solar panels, tile roofing is also very heavy, making the need to reinforce the roof before installation a realistic possibility.

Wood Roof

Wood roofing has a timeless and appealing look and is made from the most environmentally friendly material available, being sustainable and biodegradable. However, it’s not quite as energy efficient as some of the other options available, with less solar reflectance. Wood roofing is also a fire hazard, making it unsuitable for some areas and possibly resulting in increased home insurance costs according to Mike Vermeesch.

Skylights

Skylights can cut down on the need for artificial electric lighting during the day, which accounts for about 15% of all electricity usage. Yet the energy savings are perhaps secondary to their visual appeal and the various health benefits they confer, with “daylighting” having been shown to increase productivity and better regulate our bodies’ natural circadian rhythms, improving sleep cycles.

Mike Vermeesch’s Final Thoughts

Each of these environmentally friendly roofing options will help to preserve the environment and cut down on energy costs. Of course, implementing all of these options is impossible; however, knowing your options makes the decision-making process significantly easier. Take some time and conduct further research to determine which option best suits your needs.