Greener Roofing Options

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Clay-tile Roofs

Made from abundant raw materials, ceramic-tile roofs are one of the longest-lasting roofing materials available. “Fifty years is nothing for a tile roof,” says roofing restoration expert Joseph Jenkins of Barkeyville, Pa. “Fifty years is a young tile roof.” In fact, tile roofs can easily last for more than 100 years, often outlasting the buildings they protect. Because of this, they often are considered “recyclable roofs” for their ability to be removed and installed on other buildings. Clay tile also is coveted for its high resistance to wind and fire, low maintenance and ease of repair.

Disadvantages include its heavy weight and its high initial cost. Tile roofs can easily cost two to three times more than an asphalt shingle roof, but the initial expense will pay off in many years of hassle-free roofing.

Out of the woods

Generally split from Western red cedar, Alaskan yellow cedar and Eastern white cedar logs, wooden shingles are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. They have an estimated life of 25 to 30 years in dry climates, and 10 to 15 years in moist climates. Wooden shingles allow the roof to “breathe” and release water vapor, provided they are laid over a subsurface that allows for air circulation behind the shingle.

While the rustic beauty of wooden shingles is obvious, they do have their drawbacks. “I am not a fan of wooden shingles,” Wilson says. “The raw materials are typically not sustainably produced, and the durability is fairly short, particularly in wet climates.”

Moist climates will promote mold, rot, mildew and fungus growth, and arid climates will result in warping and cracking over time. The initial cost also can be high — twice as much or more as asphalt shingles. Wooden shingles may not be suitable for use in fire-prone areas. Check with your local building code official first.

According to the Center for Resourceful Building Technology, the wooden shingles predominantly found on the market are from old-growth forests. For homesteaders with the ability and the resources, hewing your own wooden shingles from already fallen local timber is a viable alternative.

Step Up to Slate

Slate stone roofs are perhaps the most durable of all roofing materials. They also are strong, available in a color spectrum from sea green to earthy red, and are quite beautiful. Tiles can be made in almost any shape, and they can be installed on roofs in a variety of thicknesses, widths and lengths.

Slate can weigh 6 to 7 pounds per square foot, which may require additional structural support for your home or building. The minimum slope for a slate roof is a ratio of 4:12, Jenkins says, but the best use for slate roofing is for steep slopes. Like clay tile, slate also can last long past the life of the building — making it extremely recyclable — and it is initially more expensive than many other roofing materials, but less expensive when comparing the long-term cost over a roof’s life.

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