Since medium and steep sloped roofs do not contribute substantially to thermal islands in summer, reducing environmental impact is mainly a matter of reducing resource waste by choosing quality wind, ice and weather resistant products that will last for many years.

Our recommendations :

1. Shingles made of recycled plastics or recycled tires and hemp are now available on the market. They offer a good quality/price ratio and are generally guaranteed for 50 years. This type of cladding re-uses end-of-life plastics and tires, reducing resource waste.
2. Wooden roofing shingles have a lifespan of 30 years or longer. They’re more impact resistant, recyclable and they have greater insulating value than most other cladding choices. It’s best to choose a quality product like Grade A cedar (superior quality, without knots or imperfections). This kind of wood is sufficiently moisture resistant to be installed on a roof. With exposure to the sun, the wood will discolour and turn grey over time. Choose wood from certified forests to support sustainable forestry and help reduce resource waste.
3. Metals such as steel and aluminum are recyclable and can contain up to 95% recycled materials. These features and their long lifespan (50 years or more) help reduce resource waste. Steel and some other metals are vulnerable to corrosion, though, especially when exposed to salty air. Choose ENERGY STAR® aluminum shingles over conventional products: by reflecting the heat of the sun in summer, they can reduce energy consumption for air-conditioning and cut down on GHG emissions.

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