Eco-Friendly Roofing - Replace Your Shingles with Solar
Panels or Sky Lights
Eco-friendly roofing solutions are all over the place. In
many cases, people don’t even look to the roof as a place where they can go green
or save money. The roof, however, is an uncharted space full of opportunities
for money savings. For starters, get rid of those toxic, cheap asphalt
shingles. If you can’t completely remodel your entire roof, consider replacing
as much of it as you can with solar panels or sky lights. By doing this, you
will create a roofing material that not only protects your home, but creates
energy savings for it as well.
Solar Panels vs. Sky Lights
The great debate over whether you should install glamorous,
fun sky lights or simple solar panels to create energy alternatives rages on.
Some people feel like sky lights are a waste because they actually let more
drafts or elements in through the material than a roofing material would. The
reality of the situation is that if the right materials are chosen and the
installation is done properly, these can effectively bring more light into your
home during daylight hours, reducing the need for electricity usage. You’ll
still need power to run appliances, though.
Solar panels, on the other hand, are designed to catch and
store energy from the sun that is used to power your home. While you might
still be using the same amount of electricity every day, you’re paying less or
have become completely independent from the electric company because you have
taken the time to install a system that helps to power your whole house. These
panels are often expensive if they are pre-fabricated. However, any handy
person can find the materials they need at their local hardware store to create
their own solar panels for under $200 in most cases.
Does the Roof Really Matter?
Yes, it does. Too many people think that as long as it’s
covered, they don’t need to worry about the roof. The fact of the matter is
that the roof is the main area where your home becomes vulnerable to the
elements and to non-environmentally friendly practices because it is usually an
afterthought. You should take the time to research the different options that
you have for roofing renovations and see how green you can go without spending
too much. There are plenty of affordable solutions for getting rid of bad
materials and creating a better, more eco-friendly roof as long as you are
willing to take the time to look.
Related Products from Amazon
Green Roof Construction and Maintenance (GreenSource Books) (Mcgraw-Hill's Greensource)
Green Roof: A Case Study: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates' Design For the Headquarters of the American Society of Landscape Architects
