Nuts + Bolts: Raise The Roof

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Durable metal shingles such as these Stone Crest Slate ones from MetalWorks are recyclable and resist rotting, cracking and breaking.

More than 11 million tons of America’s most common roofing material—asphalt shingles with an underlying fiberglass layer—end up in landfills each year when they are stripped to make room for the replacements. While asphalt shingles can be recycled into roadbed material, only a small percentage of them actually are.

Some conventional fiberglass shingles incorporate waste paper and reclaimed wood fiber in the manufacturing process. But from an eco-friendly standpoint, the new cutting-edge options, as well as a few old-fashioned favorites, are even better.

Wood

Wood shakes are split by hand for a rougher look, while wood shingles are machine sawn. Untreated, they weather to silver or gray, and most come from old-growth Western red cedar. You can, however, find them made from sustainably grown Eastern white cedar; look for products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (with the FSC symbol).

Wood roofing can burn easily, so it should never be installed in fire-prone areas and may make your home ineligible for home-      owner’s insurance policy coverage. Some wood roofing materials come pretreated with fire-resistant chemicals; manufacturers are searching for greener ways to reduce fire hazards. Mildew, moss and lichens also can grow on wood, causing decay and making them less suitable for constantly humid climates where regular, professional cleaning is necessary. Avoid shingles treated with preservatives—especially copper chromium arsenate (CCA), a known carcinogen—which can leach into runoff.

Clay

Clay tile (also known as terra cotta) roofs have gained popularity outside their native Southwest and Florida. Made from natural materials, clay tile roofs won’t combust, decay or corrode, and they require little maintenance. Clay tiles are extremely durable; they have lasted for hundreds of years on buildings in Europe and Latin America. They have a few environmental drawbacks, however. Kiln firing requires large amounts of energy, and most homeowners will have to reinforce their home’s framing to support the weight of a clay tile roof. On the plus side, should you ever decide on a different roof, the clay can be recycled or reclaimed.

Slate

Slate tiles share many qualities with clay tiles: They have been used for centuries and are highly durable, but they are heavy and have high embodied energy because of the quarrying required to obtain granite. They are also generally quite expensive. Slate tiles are among the most easily salvaged roofing materials; a number of small companies specialize in the sales and installation of reclaimed tiles (although the price is about the same).

Recycled rubber and plastic

Homeowners who want the look of slate without the high expense might opt for recycled rubber or plastic shingles, often referred to as polymers. “Some of the new synthetic tiles are made from old rubber tires,” says Mike Barcik, senior research engineer at Southface, an environmental education and outreach nonprofit. “From a 10-foot distance, you can’t tell they’re not real slate. They’re incredibly durable and weigh significantly less than slate.” Some rubber tiles are designed to mimic cedar shakes, at about the same price as the real thing. Rubber and plastic provide good sound insulation and are more resistant to hail and wind than wood.
 
Concrete and fiber-cement