Sustainability is becoming more important to homeowners. If your household is concerned with sustainability, one of the ways that you can make your home more environmentally friendly is by installing a sustainable roof. There are many ways that you can make your roof more eco-friendly. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Use Recycled Material

Some roofing materials can be recycled. Perhaps the most well-known and easily recyclable roofing material is metal. In fact, the metal used to create roofing material is mostly recycled.

When a metal roof has surpassed its service life, it can be recycled once again. In addition to being good for the environment, this also makes metal a very practical material that is easy (and inexpensive) to dispose of when the time comes to remove it.

There are other types of green roofing materials, in addition to metal. For example, reclaimed slate roofing is made from natural stone that can last for decades. In addition, rubber roofing has been growing in popularity. Rubber roofing is made from recycled tires and can be molded into many shapes, to make your home’s roof more attractive.

2. Insulate Your Attic

Attics can get very hot during the summer, and very cold during the winter. This can make regulating your home’s temperature a challenge. If your attic is very hot or cold, your home’s HVAC system will have to work much harder just to keep your home a comfortable temperature.

If you’re putting a new roof on your home, this may be the perfect time to insulate your attic. Work with your contractor to make arrangements for this to happen. Have the work done by an expert. Insulating the attic incorrectly could lead to a buildup of moisture or condensation, which could lead to a mold and mildew problem.

3. Choose a Lighter Color

One of the reasons that attics heat up in the summer is because so many people use dark-colored roofing materials to cover their home. Dark colors absorb heat, which can make your attic an extra hot place. You can mitigate this problem by replacing your dark colored attic with roofing of a lighter color. Light colored roofs bounce heat back into the atmosphere, and help keep your attic cool.

Some roofing materials are even white in color. White roofs occasionally need to be cleaned or they can start to look dingy, so keep this in mind as you decide whether a truly white roof is right for you. Work with your roofing contractor to find a roofing material that will help keep your home cool and efficient in the summer.

4. Buy Long-Lasting, Good Quality Materials

Roofs can last a long time: or at least, some can last a very long time. The longer your roof lasts, the less waste will be put into landfills. To ensure that your roof will last as long as possible, work with your roofer to find long-lasting, good quality roofing materials. Sometimes it’s hard to tell how long a roof will last just by reading the product description.

Your roofer can tell you which products are likely to stand the test of time. Look for products that have a good warranty. The longer the warranty, the longer the product is likely to last.

Contact a Roofing Contractor Today

If you’re a homeowner trying to repair or replace your roof, contact a roofing company with expertise in the field and a good reputation in your community. At D.S. Bahr Construction, Inc, we’re happy to answer your questions about green roof installation. Call us today to find out more about how we can help you install an eco-friendly roof on your home.