I have a 1930s bungalow with a leaky roof section and want to repair or replace it using green materials. The current asphalt shingles roof probably has about 5-10 years left, is moderately sloped and I'm not in the historic district. What are my options?
PS. My daughter works in rainforests protecting wildlife biodiversity, often up against oil companies, so I'm particularly interested in getting away from petroleum/plastic-based products, even recycled ones, and would consider a living green roof.
PS. My daughter works in rainforests protecting wildlife biodiversity, often up against oil companies, so I'm particularly interested in getting away from petroleum/plastic-based products, even recycled ones, and would consider a living green roof.
-- Jane on Elm Avenue
Using the green design principle to "use it up and make it do", for the
short term I suggest you just endeavor to repair the leak at this time
using asphalt shingles.
I'm hoping this can be done by removing and replacing only a small section of old shingles, and possibly repairing a little damaged decking or framing material underneath. This will be the least cost and least material use and waste, so a very green option, even though you're still using asphalt shingles. Roofers often finish jobs with lots of extra new shingles that get tossed in the dumpster, so you might even be able to save some materials from the landfill at a reduced rate, especially if you don't mind a little mixing and matching.
For the long term let's look at several options to consider when the whole roof needs replacement, trying to balance environmental and financial pros and cons, and your specific priorities. The criteria I'm starting with are low toxicity, low embodied energy, locally harvested/produced, long lasting, and preferable energy performance. We won't easily be able to meet all of these, but your own budget and priorities can help make the final choice.
Asphalt Replacement - this petroleum-based product is your cheapest option. If you going with this, look for "cool roof" lighter colors and longer-ratings. If you tear off the old roof, ask that the shingles and tar paper get recycled. You can qualify for federal tax credits for the lightest (i.e. white) regular shingles or have some more color options but still get reflective performance with some specialty shingles (i.e. Certainteed's Solaris - note this is an "architectural" shingle with raised profile that cost a good deal more since there's more materials and is rated longer).
Recycled Rubber/Plastic - there are several brands of these plastic roofing materials, some of which use virgin plastic and most of which use PVC, the poison plastic, which is just a place for PVC producers to get rid of their toxic waste. You can find a couple rare brands with good recycled content and without PVC which have 50-year ratings. Two familiar brands are EnviroShake (faux wood) and EcoStar (faux slate). Costs more than asphalt, less than metal. (Takoma resident, Joe Edgell, has a nice blog post about his EnviroShake and other roofing material choices at: www.GreenRenovation.us)
Real Wood - this traditional material comes in "shakes" or "shingles". It is used often on coastal homes so can handle serious moisture and weather, but is primarily used on high end homes for aesthetic reasons these days. It is often made of western red cedar (generally from the west coast so not so local), but can also be eastern white cedar. Both can be obtained with FSC certified wood. Materials cost a good deal more than cheap asphalt, and a bit more than "architectural" asphalt. The key cost here though is the proper installation. Can last 20-50 years depending on pre-treatments, conditions and care.
Metal - standing seam metal roofs are 50-year rated, and are excellent for rain water collection and reuse. They also double up as a good place for laying in peel and stick solar panels or mounting solar panel racks to the seams without penetrating the roof. Costs are more than asphalt.
Membrane Roof - often used for flat or low-slope roofs. The most common materials are vinyl, modified bitumen or hot-top tar versions - all of which should be avoided for their toxicity. Greener versions are EPDM (rubber) or TPO (plastic) type roofs which can be white in color or painted to get cool roof properties. Membrane roofs also with root barriers also provide a good substrate for living green roofs (see below). Cost more than asphalt and can last longer based on their coverings. (Another kind of membrane roof is spray foam insulated roof providing water sealing and insulation value. Often done on out-of-sight flat, commercial roofs. They are coated to promote longevity.)
If you have or can modify your roof to accept a little extra weight you can consider these additional options:
Living Green Roof - first a membrane material is installed, then a drainage mat, growing medium and specialized plants are installed. Green roofs provide several benefits including extending the life of membrane roofing, providing additional insulation and evaporative cooling, reducing stormwater runoff and providing wildlife habitat - and when visible are beautiful and where possible can be walked out upon. Adds additional cost (and longevity) to membrane roof systems. Pre-grown modular tray systems may be more cost-effective, and easy to install than full roof, "intensive" systems.
Slate - a "natural", mined material, which can last a long time. Requires highly skilled installation and repair when needed. Some times you can acquire salvaged slate from old houses. Costs comparable, though maybe more than wood roof.
Tile - popular in the southern US, the ceramic tile materials are long-lasting, heavy, but have low toxicity so only moderate amount of embodied energy. (unsure of costs for our region).
Longevity Note: asphalt shingles are usually rated 25, 30 and 50 years, but you can expect them to last less than that. All the lifespans given above are approximate and can vary greatly with the site conditions, proper installation and care of the roof.
Historic Note: most historic regulations let you replace the existing roof with similar material. Why many "historic" houses let you keep using a "modern" asphalt shingle is a bit of a mystery to me. Wood, slate and standing seam (and other) metal roofs have been around for longer and with care can last a long time.
Sat Jiwan Iklé-Khalsa is now "low-flow" blogging at: www.Truthful-Living.blogspot.com and is a recent green home renovator and a green building/renovation consultant . Find past articles, local green building stores, info, resources, including annotated green house renovation photos and services at: www.Truthful-Living.com or call 301.891.8891
I'm hoping this can be done by removing and replacing only a small section of old shingles, and possibly repairing a little damaged decking or framing material underneath. This will be the least cost and least material use and waste, so a very green option, even though you're still using asphalt shingles. Roofers often finish jobs with lots of extra new shingles that get tossed in the dumpster, so you might even be able to save some materials from the landfill at a reduced rate, especially if you don't mind a little mixing and matching.
For the long term let's look at several options to consider when the whole roof needs replacement, trying to balance environmental and financial pros and cons, and your specific priorities. The criteria I'm starting with are low toxicity, low embodied energy, locally harvested/produced, long lasting, and preferable energy performance. We won't easily be able to meet all of these, but your own budget and priorities can help make the final choice.
For you, Jane, I'd first recommend real wood shingles or shakes, with a metal roof as a second choice. A green roof would have been first choice except that it would most likely require expensive structural reinforcement work. That same money could be better spent adding insulation or building a native rain garden landscaping in the yard.Green roof and metal roof with solar panels.
Asphalt Replacement - this petroleum-based product is your cheapest option. If you going with this, look for "cool roof" lighter colors and longer-ratings. If you tear off the old roof, ask that the shingles and tar paper get recycled. You can qualify for federal tax credits for the lightest (i.e. white) regular shingles or have some more color options but still get reflective performance with some specialty shingles (i.e. Certainteed's Solaris - note this is an "architectural" shingle with raised profile that cost a good deal more since there's more materials and is rated longer).
Recycled Rubber/Plastic - there are several brands of these plastic roofing materials, some of which use virgin plastic and most of which use PVC, the poison plastic, which is just a place for PVC producers to get rid of their toxic waste. You can find a couple rare brands with good recycled content and without PVC which have 50-year ratings. Two familiar brands are EnviroShake (faux wood) and EcoStar (faux slate). Costs more than asphalt, less than metal. (Takoma resident, Joe Edgell, has a nice blog post about his EnviroShake and other roofing material choices at: www.GreenRenovation.us)
Real Wood - this traditional material comes in "shakes" or "shingles". It is used often on coastal homes so can handle serious moisture and weather, but is primarily used on high end homes for aesthetic reasons these days. It is often made of western red cedar (generally from the west coast so not so local), but can also be eastern white cedar. Both can be obtained with FSC certified wood. Materials cost a good deal more than cheap asphalt, and a bit more than "architectural" asphalt. The key cost here though is the proper installation. Can last 20-50 years depending on pre-treatments, conditions and care.
Metal - standing seam metal roofs are 50-year rated, and are excellent for rain water collection and reuse. They also double up as a good place for laying in peel and stick solar panels or mounting solar panel racks to the seams without penetrating the roof. Costs are more than asphalt.
Membrane Roof - often used for flat or low-slope roofs. The most common materials are vinyl, modified bitumen or hot-top tar versions - all of which should be avoided for their toxicity. Greener versions are EPDM (rubber) or TPO (plastic) type roofs which can be white in color or painted to get cool roof properties. Membrane roofs also with root barriers also provide a good substrate for living green roofs (see below). Cost more than asphalt and can last longer based on their coverings. (Another kind of membrane roof is spray foam insulated roof providing water sealing and insulation value. Often done on out-of-sight flat, commercial roofs. They are coated to promote longevity.)
If you have or can modify your roof to accept a little extra weight you can consider these additional options:
Living Green Roof - first a membrane material is installed, then a drainage mat, growing medium and specialized plants are installed. Green roofs provide several benefits including extending the life of membrane roofing, providing additional insulation and evaporative cooling, reducing stormwater runoff and providing wildlife habitat - and when visible are beautiful and where possible can be walked out upon. Adds additional cost (and longevity) to membrane roof systems. Pre-grown modular tray systems may be more cost-effective, and easy to install than full roof, "intensive" systems.
Slate - a "natural", mined material, which can last a long time. Requires highly skilled installation and repair when needed. Some times you can acquire salvaged slate from old houses. Costs comparable, though maybe more than wood roof.
Tile - popular in the southern US, the ceramic tile materials are long-lasting, heavy, but have low toxicity so only moderate amount of embodied energy. (unsure of costs for our region).
Longevity Note: asphalt shingles are usually rated 25, 30 and 50 years, but you can expect them to last less than that. All the lifespans given above are approximate and can vary greatly with the site conditions, proper installation and care of the roof.
Historic Note: most historic regulations let you replace the existing roof with similar material. Why many "historic" houses let you keep using a "modern" asphalt shingle is a bit of a mystery to me. Wood, slate and standing seam (and other) metal roofs have been around for longer and with care can last a long time.
Sat Jiwan Iklé-Khalsa is now "low-flow" blogging at: www.Truthful-Living.blogspot.com and is a recent green home renovator and a green building/renovation consultant . Find past articles, local green building stores, info, resources, including annotated green house renovation photos and services at: www.Truthful-Living.com or call 301.891.8891
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