Sustainable Roofing 101: How to Make Roof Construction More Sustainable

Sustainable roofing materials

When seeking out more sustainable roofing materials, homeowners and contractors still need to check the boxes of “durable,” “aesthetically pleasing” and “affordable.” Like all types of roofing, there are a wide variety of eco-friendly roofing materials that hit some but not all of these boxes. When selecting the right materials to choose, you must concede which factors are more important than others.

Recycled and recyclable materials

Asphalt shingles produce a staggering 15 million tons of waste each year. Selecting recycled materials for your roof is the most sustainable choice you can make when it comes to more eco-friendly roofing.

These materials still offer the durability you would expect from standard materials, while minimizing environmental impact.

Recycled asphalt shingles

Made from reclaimed asphalt and are as strong as traditional shingles. These can cost around $80 to $100 per square, which is similar to traditional asphalt shingles.

Metal roofing

Includes recycled steel or aluminum and is fully recyclable at the end of its lifespan. These range from $120 to $900 per square, depending on the type and finish. While they are on the higher end compared to asphalt shingles, they can last up to 50 years or more. 

Rubber roofing

Made from recycled tires, provides flexibility and weather resistance, ideal for areas with extreme temperatures. The cost of rubber roofing can range from $300 to $400 per square. While pricey, rubber roofing is extremely durable and provides superior insulation, saving on energy bills over time. 

Recycled slate shingles 

Made from salvaged natural slate or synthetic materials. Replicate the appearance of traditional slate but are lighter and more affordable. These typically range from $500 to $1,500 per square. 

Reclaimed wood shingles

Salvaged from old barns, factories, or other structures, reclaimed wood shingles bring a rustic look to roofs. Properly treated, they can be highly durable and add a unique character to the home. Costs vary widely depending on availability but generally range from $700 to $1,000 per square. The higher cost compared to other materials is due to their longevity and distinct, aesthetically pleasing appearance. 

Ultimately, the decision of which materials to use depends on a number of factors, beyond sustainability alone.

Fortunately, many of these materials are comparable in cost, durability, life span and availability as their non-recycled alternatives. Choosing a more sustainable alternative to roofing materials is the first step in building a more eco-friendly roof. 

Cool roofing materials

Think of cool roofs like light-colored clothing on your body. Just as a white t-shirt keeps you cool on a hot and sunny day, cool roofs are designed to reflect more sunlight than a conventional roof, lowering the temperature of the building. This, in time, saves energy and cost and makes it more comfortable inside the building or home. As summers get hotter each year, cool roofs can provide a much-needed reprieve from air conditioning units working overtime, helping the cool air permeate more efficiently than a traditional roof. And it’s not just the inside of buildings that cool roofs benefit – they can also lower local outside air temperatures, thereby lessening the urban heat island effect.

Cool roof materials include many common materials already used for roofing, only transformed slightly with special coating or paint. Cool roof material options include:

• Cool asphalt shingles
• Cool metal roofing
• Single-ply membranes (TPO and PVC)
• Cool clay and concrete tiles

Cool roof coatings

Reflective coatings that can be applied onto existing roofs is a great economical option for retrofitting older roofs. They can extend the life of the roof, improve energy efficiency, and allow for customization based on reflectivity and durability needs.

Cool Roof Rating Council

The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) is a 501(c)(3) organization that develops standardized methods for evaluating and labeling the solar reflectance and thermal emittance of roofing materials. The CRRC offers a testing and rating system to test roofing products based on two key criteria:

• Solar reflectance: Measures how much sunlight a material reflects away from the roof, reducing heat absorption.
• Thermal emittance: Assesses how effectively a material releases absorbed heat, helping the roof cool down more quickly.

These ratings range from 0 to 1, where higher numbers indicate better performance. A high solar reflectance and thermal emittance rating means a roof stays cooler under the sun, enhancing energy efficiency. Once rated, companies can use the CRRC product label to display the values on packaging.

Green roofs and living roofs

Green roofs are in a category of their own when it comes to sustainable roofing materials. A green roof is not unlike a rooftop garden, spanning the width and length of an entire roof. They contain a waterproof membrane, root barrier and drainage system, followed by a layer of soil topped with grass, plants, shrubs and sometimes even trees. Green roofs can offer significant sustainability benefits like improved insulation and lowered energy costs, stormwater management to reduce the risk of flooding, and air quality improvement as the plants naturally absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. 

Green roofs, however, are not a fit for everyone. They are more expensive to install due to the added expertise they require, along with additional materials and structural reinforcements. Green roofs also require ongoing maintenance, just as you would tend a garden to keep it healthy. 

Solar roofing options

When you think of sustainable roofing, one of the first things that may come to mind is a rooftop full of glistening solar panels. Traditional solar panels aren’t cheap – they may cost anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000 for a typical residential roof. Plus, they require specialized professional installation, with the roofers having to secure the panels to the roof and ensure proper wiring. However, solar panels are highly efficient at energy production. In short, they capture sunlight to turn it into electricity, reducing the carbon footprint of the building they sit atop. 

Solar panels also decrease air and water pollution; traditional energy sources like coal, natural gas, and oil contribute to pollution through emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. Solar panels eliminate these pollutants entirely.

Another solar roofing option to consider when planning a roof replacement or repair is solar tiles. Solar tiles are more expensive than traditional panels, costing up to $80,000 depending on the size of the building or home. They are complex to install, requiring certified and specialized installers to do the job. Solar tiles, though, offer many sustainability benefits. Like solar panels, they don’t contribute to sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides pollution. They also require less resource use than traditional panels, as they combine the roofing material and solar energy production into a single production. This cuts out the need for shingles, underlayment and even nails. 

Sustainable roof design

Now that we’ve covered the options for sustainable roofing materials, it’s time to explore how design can play just as large a role in sustainability. 

As discussed, many types of roofs were created with sustainability in mind – from green roofs, to cool roofs. But others aren’t so obvious, where the environmental benefits are disguised in their insulation, structure, and install. 

Energy efficiency and insulation

One way to build sustainability into a roof is through insulation. Adding insulation or thermal barriers can prevent heat transfer through the roof, keeping the building warmer in winter and cooler in summer. This provides a more stable indoor temperature and significantly reduces heating and cooling energy demands. Roof installers can also consider using an energy-efficient underlayment, which helps to protect insulation and reduces heat transfer to the attic.

Water management systems

While energy efficiency in roof design and materials is an obvious place to start when designing a more sustainable roof, water management – features to better handle and even conserve rainwater – is less obvious. 

While green roofs naturally absorb rainwater to feed its living ecosystem, it’s not the only type of roof that can incorporate water management and conservation. You can build in a rainwater harvesting system to capture and store water in tanks or cisterns. This water can then be used for landscaping, irrigation, or even non-potable indoor uses like toilet flushing. Harvesting rainwater reduces the strain on local water resources and provides a renewable water source for the building.

Water management can also be built directly into the design and structure of the roof. Roofs with permeable materials or drainage channels direct water into designated systems, allowing for slow release into the ground or storage tanks. This approach decreases the risk of flooding, especially in urban areas where impermeable surfaces contribute to water runoff and strain on stormwater systems.

Durability and longevity

When planning a roof replacement or repair and considering sustainability – not to mention added headaches in five years time – consider the durability of the materials and installation. 

Choose materials that extend the lifespan of your roof, and reduce the need for replacement. This, in turn, conserves materials and reduces waste over time. Some sustainable roofs have specialized coatings that improve their resistance to UV rays, corrosion, and moisture. For example, elastomeric coatings are commonly used on flat roofs to prevent cracking and leaks while reflecting sunlight.

Sustainable roof debris removal

Now that you’ve planned and constructed a sustainable roof, it’s time to sustainably dispose of the construction debris. Like all construction, roofing debris removal is a natural part of any project. Leftover materials like shingles, nails, and wood can pose safety and environmental hazards when not disposed of properly.

Recycling roof materials

Instead of taking everything directly to a landfill, homeowners or contractors can sort through the debris to separate recyclable materials like metal flashing, tiles, or asphalt shingles. Many recycling centers accept asphalt shingles, which can be repurposed for paving roads, and metal components can be recycled to produce new materials. 

Special considerations: Solar panel debris removal

When replacing or repairing a roof made with solar panels or tiles, it’s important to make special considerations for the disposal of this type of material. Solar panels contain valuable materials, such as silicon, silver, copper, and rare metals, as well as potentially hazardous substances, like lead or cadmium, which should not be sent to standard landfills. 

Improper disposal can lead to environmental contamination, so it’s essential to use specialized recycling facilities capable of safely handling and extracting these materials. Many regions have designated e-waste or solar panel recycling centers that follow protocols to recover materials efficiently, reducing landfill waste and preventing hazardous substances from leaching into soil and water.

Dumpster rental for roof debris removal

Renting a dumpster can aid this process by providing ample space for organized sorting. By organizing materials on-site, you can easily identify what can be recycled or reused, reducing the amount sent to landfills.

A designated dumpster reduces the need for multiple trips to waste facilities, cutting down on fuel use and emissions. By streamlining the process and encouraging organized waste handling, renting a dumpster supports more sustainable, efficient, and environmentally friendly roof debris management for contractors. 

Here are some additional considerations to ensure an eco-friendly waste management process:

• Choose the right dumpster size to avoid overflow or the need for multiple rentals
• Work with a rental company that offers options for separating recyclable and non-recyclable materials
• Get familiar with local regulations for disposal of roofing materials
• Place the dumpster in an accessible location to streamline disposal and save time
• Understand what you are disposing of, ensuring you properly and safely dispose of any hazardous materials

Site Services USA: Your partner in sustainable roof debris removal

Roofing projects are already complex; when you add in the element of sustainability, it can be tough to know where to start. Site Services USA is here to help.

Site Services USA is your partner in hassle-free dumpster rental and clean-up services. With years of experience in the construction & roofing industry and an expansive national network of vendors, we work with you each step of the way to make sure your job is done right, whenever you need it and within budget. We work with you from the beginning to understand your disposal needs and timing. 

We provide dumpster rentals in a variety of sizes, including:

• 10 yard dumpster
• 15 yard dumpster
• 20 yard dumpster
• 30 yard dumpster
• 40 yard dumpster

We deliver on-site trash and recycling containers directly to your project site on time and on budget, streamlining your construction waste disposal and making it not only possible, but simple, to sustainably dispose of roofing materials. 

Renting dumpsters from Site Services USA is easy.

Here’s how it works:

• Request a custom quote online or give us a call at 844-737-0900.
• Tell us about your project.
• We will recommend the right dumpsters to suit your project needs. We require 60 feet of space in a straight line and 23 feet of vertical clearance.
• We deliver it when you need it. Remove any vehicles, materials or low-hanging obstacles to ensure we can deliver your dumpster and to avoid a trip fee.
• Use the dumpster for waste disposal during your project. Remember to keep your included weight limit in mind to prevent overage fees.
• We come pick it up and haul it away when you’re done. To ensure pickup and avoid a trip fee, your dumpster must be accessible and only contain approved debris piled no higher than the sidewalls.

Let’s get started

By partnering with an experienced, well-connected dumpster rental provider, you ensure your roofing project is done on time, safely and sustainably. Here at Site Services USA, we don’t stop at delivering a dumpster rental for your site. We go the extra mile to ensure you have what you need, when you need it and within your budget. We offer guidance and round-the-clock support with a single point of contact who you can access any time via text or call. 

Ready to get started? Contact us today to get a quote.

•