The right roof can make a big
difference to the look and style of a home, and whether it's flat or pointed,
tiled or thatched, it's essential to keep it well maintained. One of the
reasons for this is because most of the heat in your home
escapes from the roof
and the windows, and by having a decent roof you can avoid losing this precious
heat and therefore keep your house warmer with smaller fuel bills. Here are a
few ways that you can make your roof more eco-friendly, and reduce your carbon
footprint while you save some cash.
Insulation
One of the most important aspects of
roofing is proper insulation, and
when you are having your roof restored this is the ideal time to think about
it. It's often easiest to leave it to the professionals, although if you have
easy access to your loft then it can be a DIY project.
Materials that can be used include:
- Mineral wool insulation – This is simply laid between the joists, and then a cross layer is added for depth. It can then be covered with plasterboard for a more attractive finish.
- Rigid insulation boards – These are cut to the exact size by professionals and then fitted between the rafters.
- Blown insulation – This loose insulation material is 'blown' into hard to reach areas and is a quick job for professional roofers.
- Loose fill insulation – This is sold in bags and used for areas where matting would be tricky.
Therefore there are plenty of ways
to insulate all kinds of lofts and roofs simply and cheaply, allowing you to
enjoy savings on your bills.
Repair or replace?
You may have your heart set on a
whole new roof, but it's not always necessary to undertake such a big job, and
it can be more eco-friendly to simply repair what you already have, therefore
cutting down on the materials used.
The best thing to do is consult with
a reputable, local trader who is recommended by friends and other customers. If
you are looking for Melbourne roof repairs then make sure that the company has many
years experience and has worked with roofs just like yours, as this will allow
them to make better judgements. Because areas have different weather conditions
and therefore different roofing needs, this is one time when a local tradesman
will come in handy for a more personal level of service.
Materials
Another thing to consider when
choosing an eco-friendly roof is the materials that are used. Things you might
want to consider include:
Shingles – These tiles are popular
for pitched roofs and look traditional and stylish when they are installed.
Because there are many different materials used to make shingles you can choose
a shingle that has been made in an environmentally sound way and out of
sustainable materials. Some people also choose the material based on their
country's weather patterns, and shingles with clay for example can help keep a
home cool.
You could also consider using
recycled shingles, and many roofers will have plenty of re-useable shingles
from old jobs that they can put down for you.
Joists – Older joists may need
replacing completely, and this can mean using large amounts of wood. It's a
good idea to ask your roofer what kind of wood they plan to use, as well as
whether they know the source of it. You can then look at better alternatives
such as sustainably grown wood, where trees are replaced at the same rate as they are
cut down, reducing your impact on the environment.
Having major work to your roof
doesn't mean that you need to go for traditional, environmentally unfriendly
building methods. There are lots of ways to cut down on materials, as well as
choosing them more wisely, and this can immediately bring down the carbon
footprint of your build. One reason why roof restorations can be eco-friendly
is that they can cut down on your fuel consumption and therefore your bills, so
they may even pay for themselves in the long term. This means you can enjoy a
new roof and feel proud that you have kept your carbon footprint under control.
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