Posted by Bealing Roofing No Comments on Pros and cons of eco-friendly shingles Roofing in Hanover, PA, Uncategorized

Do you find yourself in the market for a new roof? Whether you have a residential or commercial property, being environmentally friendly with your roofing choice is a great way to go. With all the current hype over environmentalism, you may want to know the pros and cons of eco-friendly shingles. Here are a few things to consider before your next roofing project. 

Traditional asphalt roofing

Yes, traditional asphalt roofing is eco-friendly due to modern manufacturing methods. But what exactly makes asphalt shingles eco-friendly?

Reduce Raw Materials

The great part about asphalt shingles is that they are partially made of previously-used materials. During the production process, fewer raw materials are used protecting valuable resources. But not only that, using previously-used materials reduces the amount of waste that heads to the landfill!

Energy Efficient

When it comes to energy efficiency, asphalt shingles are one of the best options available. Asphalt shingles have a high thermal resistance. This is a huge advantage to you when it comes to your electric bills. This means you’ll spend less to cool your home in the summer as asphalt shingles reflect heat away from your home. As you pay to heat your home in the winter, that heat will stay in the home due to asphalt shingles’ insulating properties.

Reduce Waste

This benefit is two-fold. First, asphalt shingles have a long lifespan. Modern production methods see some shingles have a lifespan of up to 30 years IF your roof is properly maintained. This means you should have a roofing contractor perform routine roof inspections. These roofing inspections will allow problems to be caught early and minor repair work to be completed before more significant work, up to and including a roof replacement, is needed. 

Secondly, asphalt shingles are environmentally friendly even at the end of their life. Used shingles can be collected and repurposed for other asphalt-based products. This greatly reduces the overall waste produced when old roofing systems are removed. Fun fact. The National Asphalt Pavement Association states that 2.25 million tons of reclaimed asphalt shingles (RAS) were used to make new pavement nationwide in 2015. 

Yes, there is a con

Asphalt shingles do have one weakness, and that is severe weather. If you have ever experienced the damage caused by a hailstorm, you know what we are talking about. Hail can be particularly hard on asphalt shingles, causing divots in the surface and even breaking pieces of shingle off. This, however, is thankfully an isolated occurrence.

If you are looking to replace your roof, you can’t go wrong with the beauty, durability, and eco-friendliness of today’s asphalt shingles. Here at Bealing Roofing & Exteriors, LLC, we use only the best from Owens Corning Roofing. Give us a call, and let’s discuss your options in style and color.