5 Ideas for a Green Roof [Infographic]

Turning your home into an eco-friendly one can help the environment and save you money. Many homeowners take the obvious steps, like energy-efficient appliances and water heaters, but a green roof is also a great investment. Before your roof renovation, consider these ecofriendly materials.

Upgrading your roof? Go green. A green roof is better for the environment and will save you money on utility bills. Here are five types of green roofs to consider.

1. Rooftop Garden

With a vegetated roof, foliage, grasses, and trees are planted directly on the roof’s surface. It lowers heating and cooling costs and filters rain runoff.

2. Cool Roof

This roof type has added reflective pigmentation to stop a majority of the sun’s heat from seeping into the house, cutting up to 15% of cooling costs.

3. Shingles

Shingles can be made from durable, eco-friendly materials, such as recycled rubber, and manufactured to look like traditional slate shingles.

4. Metal Roof

These roofs are very durable, they can last upwards of 40 years, and the material is recyclable. Metal roofs are commonly made from tin, galvanized steel, and aluminum.

5. Wind and Solar Power

Small, house-sized wind turbines and solar panels can be installed on the roof. Both generate endless energy from the sun and wind and can help save money.