When one thinks of going green in their daily lives, they may think about purchasing a hybrid car or going to a local farmer's market for groceries. They could also think about installing solar panels on the roof of their house to get electricity from the sun. Some people do not realize that there are many other ways to "go green" outside of their daily lives.
One of the ways that people can go green is by adding more solar panels to their roofs. The idea behind this trend is that consumers are able to generate electricity from the sun in order to reduce or even eliminate monthly energy costs. Solar panel installation on buildings has increased by 145% between 2010 and 2011, which proves that this trend is becoming more and more popular.
One major benefit to using green materials such as solar panels for buildings is the savings it can provide people with on their energy bills. In fact, according to a report done by SolarReviews.com, "the average solar panel customer will save over $100 every month on their electric bill." This is a huge saving for most people and it just shows how beneficial going green can be for everyone involved. Since the average life span of a solar panel is 25 years, this means that it will virtually be around for a large part of the lifetime of a building. Another important benefit to using solar panels is their durability. Since they are made out of strong materials, owners can rest assured knowing that they have a reliable source of energy coming from their buildings.
Environmental Benefits building a green home
An excellent benefit for going green when building a new home is by using environmentally friendly products and materials. This means using recycled furniture and building materials, installing energy-efficient appliances such as heat pumps, and lastly but most importantly, doing an inspection of the buildings they plan on contracting to make sure that they are up to par with their standards.
This is beneficial for businesses because they can use these green methods as a marketing technique to attract more customers. Some of the reasons why green products are better are because, "they last longer, perform better, and they simply work better". When one uses green materials in the construction of their buildings or homes it can make a huge difference when it comes down to longevity. This means that people will not need to worry about constantly repairing or replacing their roofs.
Another benefit of going green for a contractor is that they will be able to save the environment while also saving money. This is a win-win situation for everyone involved because not only does it help out the community, but it helps the contractor's business grow and flourish in this new green movement.
Roofing and contracting businesses who partake in the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED)
The rating system, which costs around $10 per year, will provide contractors and companies with a report that they can hand out to potential clients who are interested in using green building materials. This is beneficial because it helps these people understand why LEED is important, and it will make them more inclined to choose a LEED-certified contractor. This means that these companies will be able to get noticed because they are doing their part for the environment.
One of the most important ways for roofing businesses to go green is by recycling old products, materials, paint, etc. This includes old shingles and roofing materials that can be recycled and reused. This is beneficial for the companies because they get to provide their customers with a new product while also keeping old material out of landfills.
Another important thing to remember when going green, especially in the case of roofers, is that it's essential to get rid of old roofs that are no longer useful. This means removing the old roof and possibly using old material to pave new roads or walkways, which is beneficial because it reduces the amount of material in landfills while also providing people with a safe environment to walk on.
Types of Green Roofing Materials:
Wood Shingles-
Wood shingles are a very popular sustainable roofing choice around the world because they provide homes with a beautiful aesthetic that can fit in with any design scheme. In addition, wood shingles have been used as an old-fashioned method for centuries and give homes a rustic look that is popular with the eco-friendly community.
Another benefit of using wood shingles as a roofing material is that there's no need to use any harmful chemicals and pesticides when harvesting them because they can be harvested from existing forests or lumber yards without too much disturbance to the environment. Wood shingles are not only sustainable, but sustainable while also being aesthetically pleasing for potential customers.
Clay tiles-
Clay tiles are another very common and popular option in the eco-friendly building community because they add a rustic or European feel to any home that is interested in going green. They can be made into different shapes, sizes, and colors which means that there's no limit when it comes to designing roofs with clay tiles.
Another beneficial aspect of clay tiles is that they have been around for hundreds of years and are a beloved industry among the communities. In fact, some roofs in Europe have been made out of clay tiles for centuries simply because they provide homes with a beautiful aesthetic while also being long-lasting and durable enough to withstand just about any weather condition threw its way.
Solar roof shingle panels-
Solar roof shingle panels are a very innovative product in the green building community because they collect energy from the sun and convert it into electricity for homes and buildings. This is beneficial to any business that has employees who spend hours inside because it allows them to save money on their electric bills while also cutting down on emissions in the atmosphere.
Slate tiles-
Natural slate tile roofing has been an industry standard for centuries, and while it is still used today, there are new green variations that are becoming increasingly popular.
Slate tiles come in a wide variety of colors and sizes which allow companies to create differently designed roofs that fit in with just about any aesthetic preferences. In addition to their vast range of sizes, slate tiles are extremely durable and offer long-lasting protection for any home or building.
This type of roofing material is beneficial because it can be harvested without too much interference with the environment. Plus, this material has been around for hundreds of years which means that there is plenty of historical data that can help companies determine how to harvest without too much of a negative impact on the environment.
In addition, some roofing companies even use old slate tiles from previous projects as a way to reduce waste and create a more eco-friendly business. This allows businesses to cut costs while also reducing their environmental footprint on the world around them.
Other eco-friendly roofing materials include recycled plastic, natural grasses, and wood. While many of these materials are not common among the American population for various reasons (such as cost or accessibility), they are becoming more popular in European countries because they provide homes with a stunning aesthetic while also being potentially beneficial to the environment.
Interested in a new roof in Pittsburgh? ART Industries Inc can help!
We offer free estimates and a complimentary satellite aerial view and printout of your home! We are located in Lower Burrell PA and service all of Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.
