Sustainability and eco-friendly trends continue to sweep the nation and are impacting all industries. There is an urgent need to adopt practices towards a greener approach to the environment and many businesses are making the changes. With roofing being such a significant contributing factor to the sustainability of any building, the roofing industry too is becoming greener and environmentally friendly.

Sustainable roofing options today include vegetative roofing, resilient roofing systems, eco-friendly options, and using longer life-cycle products. Designing systems with product life-cycles in mind is essential today, to ensure that the building stays in accordance with recent mandates and meets sustainability goals. There are also mandated requirements in place in some areas, and the roofing industry is jumping on board.

When it comes to sustainable roofing options, vegetative roofing is typically a top choice for sustainability. This also adds an aesthetically pleasing look to any building. Vegetative roofing systems act as temperature regulators when it is hot and as on-site water management when it rains. In addition to this, the oxygen-producing plants counteract carbon dioxide emissions and reduce the carbon footprint.

Buildings are the largest energy-consuming sector of the American economy, according to the U.S Department of Energy. The good news is that sustainable roofing can help correct this by decreasing overall energy usage by way of several environmentally-friendly options.

• Insulation: Insulation can help to save energy costs better than most exterior options. 20 percent of energy from a building is lost through the roof, but enhanced insulation products that have increased R-values can reduce heat loss, saving money and energy.
• Roof coating: By reducing the impact of the environment on the roof surface, coating the roof extends its overall lifespan. Lighter color coatings also contribute to energy savings especially in areas with a lot of sunshine and heat.
• Solar panels: By harnessing the natural sunlight available, solar panels provide energy for a building as well as combat greenhouse emissions. Often there are state and federal incentives offered for the installation and use of solar panels too.
• Skylights: High-performance skylights give you a greater connection to the natural outdoor lighting. The interior spaces get the light they need while saving on energy costs and reducing carbon footprint.

Sustainability in roofing systems is not the only area needing change. Roofing industries also need to establish a sustainable workforce. Reducing the labor needed for installation and maintenance is important too. Self-adhered membranes are a perfect way to achieve this. These membranes make installation easier and more efficient. Roofing projects can be completed in less time and there will be less waste and fewer hazardous materials to dispose of.

The economy may be mostly responsible for driving the move towards adopting greener practices, but there also mandates in place too. This means industries, including the roofing industry, need to get on board. Supporting these new eco-friendly approaches to roofing is the future for all roofing contractors. Make the change and help the environment as well as contribute to energy efficiency and savings. You will also see faster installation which means more productivity and more stability for the future. The future is green and roofing contractors need to go green too.

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