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Roofs
Using your roof to do more than stay dry
Our table of roof materials is a work in progress so information will change
as new materials come on the market and prices change.
Roofing Material |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Approx. $/square |
Green roofs - Intensive |
- Deeper growing medium allows planting a greater variety of plants
- Improves air quality
- Reduces stormwater run off
|
- Expensive
- Heavy—requires structural support
|
$160–800 |
Green roofs - Extensive |
- Lighter weight than intensive green roofs
|
|
$160–400 |
Asphalt shingle (aka composition) |
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Appropriate for moderate to steep roofs.
- Some manufacturers offer recycled content.
|
- Least durable
roofing material (check warranty)
- Environmentally questionable.
- Some types contain moss inhibitors that are toxic to aquatic life.
- May make run-off unusable for
rainwater harvesting.
|
$50–$160 |
Tile, Concrete |
|
|
$160–275 |
Tile, Clay |
- Low maintenance
- Recyclable
- Durable
|
|
$450–550+ |
Wood Shake |
- Beautiful
- Natural
- Low maintenance
- Recyclable
|
- 25-30 yrs in dry climates
- 15-20 yrs in damp climates
- Can be a problem in areas where fire is an issue
|
$200-325 |
Fiber Cement |
- 50-year warranty
- Comparable performance with premium grade shakes and shingles
|
- Maybe expensive to install
- Relatively expensive
- May be too heavy for lighter framed buildings
|
$250–325 |
Metal |
- Available with more than 50% recycled content.
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Powder-coated steel is particularly low-impact
- Good water quality allows rainwater harvesting
- Roofing cut to size at manufacturer reduces waste and prevents open metal that can be subject to rust.
- May be installed over existing roof material.
|
- Galvanized products contain zinc which is harmful to water life.
- Aluminum can be noisy and may dent.
- Paint finishes can peel, chip, scratch which can lead to rust.
|
$80–400 |
Slate |
- Beautiful
- Longest lasting roof material
- Highly recyclable
- Low maintenance
|
|
$1000+ |
Rubber |
- Resistant to weather damage
- Fungus resistant
- Freeze thaw stable
- Look like slate
- Relatively light weight
- Comparatively less expensive
- Made of recycled tires
- Flexible
|
|
$275–600 |
Photovoltaic |
- Protects the roof and produces energy
|
- Very expensive to install
|
|
References
Mother Earth News - http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green-Homes/2005-02-01/Greener-Roofing-Options.aspx?page=1
Books
The Good House Book: A Common-Sense Guide to Alternative Homebuilding
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