Sustainable Cedar Roofing

Sustainable development is a big buzzword in the industry right now. Climate action is in full swing, and customers are asking a lot of good questions about sustainable roofs. We’ve always touted cedar roofing as the sustainable, climate friendly option when choosing a new roof. We don’t expect you to take our word for it though.

First, let’s look at 5 things that make a roof sustainable or “green roofing“, then let’s see if cedar roofing materials make the grade.

Low-impact: Are your roofing materials non-toxic? Were they sustainably produced, or made from recycled materials?

Yes. Cedar shakes and shingles are non-toxic. In fact, with their built in resistances to insects, and moss or mould, they do not even need to be sprayed with any unnatural chemical products. As for being sustainably produced, the BC forest industry happens to be one of the leaders of sustainable resource control. Every area harvested is re-seeded, not just as a tree farm, but to develop into a healthy vibrant forest once again. This is manageable, since close to 95% of forestry land is owned by our British Columbia public government, and kept to strict standards for sustainability.

Energy efficiency: What impact does your choice have on the energy efficiency of your home?

The natural insulating properties of cedar make it one of the most energy efficient roofing materials available. It keeps your home warm in the winter time, and cool during the summer. Your energy bill stays down. Your carbon footprint stays small. Your home stays comfy. You win.

Quality and durability: A quality roofing material will last longer, requiring fewer replacements. The more durable it is, the fewer trips for repair are needed.

You might have already read our last post about cedar roofing materials. We talked about its durable qualities in stormy, windy weather. Its ability to withstand hail is also well documented. Speaking from our own experience, cedar lasts much longer, and requires much less maintenance than a product like asphalt.

Design for reuse and recycling: This should be easy to wrap our heads around. What happens to the roofing materials after they’re replaced? Do they get thrown in a landfill, or can they be used again?

Reuse is not an option for used cedar shakes or shingles. Once they are determined unfit for your roof, they will not be determined fit for another; however, recycling cedar shakes and shingles is a fairly common practice. Cedar shakes can be ground down into a mulch for our trails, or used as an alternate fuel source for power generation.

Renewability: Roofing materials should come from nearby (local or bioregional), sustainably managed renewable sources that can be composted when their usefulness has been exhausted.

Much of this has already been touched on, but it’s an often neglected point. Using a resource from our own province means less energy was used in its manufacture and transport. BC is rich in softwood resources, and has put plans in action to maintain this advantage for the long term. Cedar shakes and shingles are a natural, local resource that can be composted when their usefulness has been exhausted.

Looking over the evidence, the verdict is in, and I’m sure you would agree. Cedar is an eco friendly, and highly sustainable roofing material.

Contact The Cedar Roofing Specialists Since 1986 At Affordable Quality Roofing For A Free Cedar Roofing Estimate Now.