I am looking to install a new roof on my Rochester home. Since I am in the middle of creating a more sustainable home with other green remodeling projects I wanted to know if metal roofing is “greener” than asphalt roofing.
Larry T. ~ Rochester, Minnesota
Hi Larry, Metal roofing is much more green than asphalt shingles. Most of the metal used for metal roofing is very recyclable, so if for some reason your new metal roof doesn’t last as long as the house does, it can be remade into another metal product.
Some metal roofing products now have a coating to help with the energy efficiency of the house, which I’m sure would come in handy in Rochester, Minnesota’s winters. The coating works so well that it has earned an Energy Star rating, which could entitle you to a federal tax credit if you install it on your home.
Metal roofing is available in many styles and colors, so it should be an excellent choice for your green remodeling project.
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A “green” roof is any roof that is friendly to the enviroment. This means many things. Reflectivity sometimes called “cool” roofing is one of the first thoughts that comes to mind. However there are other critical factors as well. A cedar roof is not reflective but is considered green due to it’s easy renewability and biodegradeablity.
Most metals are continuously recycled. This makes them green. However some metal roofing system can also be reflective also making them green.
Some asphalt shingles are reflective, and even quality for the US Federal $1,500 tax refund. A new common trend making asphalt roofing shingles even more green is the recycling processes currently being implemented in many states across the country. Many old asphalt roofs are being recycled into asphalt to be used in road construcion.