When it comes to green roofing, asphalt shingles aren’t usually the first product that springs to mind. Asphalt shingles are, however, a better option for the budget-minded builder. Is it possible to have the best of both worlds though? It can be, so let me explain.
Yes, asphalt shingles are a petroleum product and it takes quite a bit of energy to create them, giving them a low “green rating.” Not everyone can afford to have the latest and greatest in green roofing (such as metal roofing) though, so here are a few things to remember if you want a green roof and green in your pocket.
Everyone loves sunlight, the refreshing rays are necessary for life here on earth. Shingles don’t appreciate the sun as much, however. Try to get a lighter colored shingle with a protective UV coating, as it will reflect more sunlight and save on air conditioning costs in the summer. The UV protection will help prevent cracking and color fade. Most asphalt shingles manufacturers also offer “cool roof” colored shingles which qualify for Cool Roof Tax Credit of up-to $1500.
Longer lasting shingles equate to less waste over time and more bang for the buck as a consumer. Some shingles only last 15 years, sometimes not that long, which means the homeowner has to shell out for a new roof. Look for thicker shingles with a rated at 40-50 years – these will actually last you about 30-35 years, if your roof is well ventilated and roof is installed in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications. Keep in mind that getting a new roof means getting rid of the old one, and where does it go? Most likely a landfill, which brings up the next point.
One last thing to remember if you are having an old roof replaced, try to recycle the old shingles so they DON’T end up in a landfill. When you buy the new batch, try to find recycled content asphalt roofing that is made from recycled paper or use reclaimed slag substances.
So are asphalt shingles green? Everyone will have a different opinion on that, however, most people choosing the asphalt shingles as a roofing materials choice for their home, will not really care. Bottom line, even the “cool roof” shingles will most likely end up in the land fill, before you even consider the energy used in the production of these shingles, and the non bio-degradable waste.
Because the “cool roof” shingles are considerably more expensive, very few people will opt to use them, as even the $1500 tax credit will not offset the extra cost of these cool shingles. Therefore majority of roofing shingles will be the regular (not-cool) shingle, which by no means can be called green. Additionally, very few roofing contractors will go through the hassles of recycling the old shingles, and in most areas recycling is not even available.
After considering all of the above, asphalt shingles can be considered “green roofing” option in a very rare case, when the homeowner does actually buy a long-lasing 50 years shingles, makes sure the old shingles are recycled, and also recycles the new cool shingles when it’s time to replace them. This is rather unrealistic in my opinion, and is also pretty expensive, so the metal roofing option becomes much more viable and price-competitive. Also the metal roof will by far outlast even the 50 year shingles, so I honestly cannot really call the asphalt shingles a “green roofing choice”.
Still, most homeowner will opt for a less expensive alternative, until real green roofing options such as metal roofs will become more affordable.
I hope you found the points in this article on asphalt shingles educational, or more importantly, useful and easy to implement in your roofing project, whether it be a DIY project or a bigger project that requires a professional roofing contractor. In any case, be careful, and most of all – have fun!