choosing-roofing-materials / Green Building & Sustainable Home Renovation Information & Advice

1. Asphalt shingles: Asphalt shingles © Ecohome We’ll start with shingles to get it out of the way, because choosing an eco-friendly, durable roof covering starts first with dismissing any idea of installing asphalt shingles. High-embodied energy, rarely if ever recycled, they deteriorate rapidly with UV rays, emit s...

Asphalt shingles are the most common and cheapest roof covering, at least until it's time to replace them. Metal roofing can last a lifetime or longer, so we feel that the cost levels out in the long run. Here is a comprehensive comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of metal roofing v asphalt shingles for buil...

In North America, about 90% of pitched roofs are covered with asphalt roofing shingles. This petroleum-based product is incredibly popular for roof replacements: studies show that 81% of shingles sold go toward replacing old roofs. Chances are, if you’re redoing your roof you are probably looking at asphalt roofing shi...

Choosing between vented and unvented roofs: a homeowner's and pro's guide A lot goes in to choosing a roof design. There is energy efficiency to consider, durability, ease of maintenance, and curb appeal. The roof you choose can make or break the aesthetic appeal of your home, so a roof design you enjoy looking at is a...

Cedar shingles & shakes: a homeowner's & pro's guide Cedar shingles and shakes give a home a very natural feel that enhances any home's curb appeal. Known for their durability and insulation properties, these roofing and siding materials provide a beautiful, sustainable option for both new builds and renovation...

Framing lumber choices for building homes Framing lumber, also known as structural wood, is the grade of wood used for house framing (studs, Larsen Trusses for double-stud walls, headers, roof trusses and floor joists, etc. as well as in timber frame construction). Its technical characteristics make it perfectly suitab...

All materials will have a history, the pros and cons of which will need to be weighed. Unfortunately there isn’t always an obvious right or wrong answer as to whether or not something is a sustainable material. The design of your home, where you live and your lifestyle are all factors that determine what the most ecolo...

The cost of every item we purchase is determined in part by the price of oil. This includes products that are in no way petroleum based, since material extraction, manufacturing and transportation will in one way or another, rely at least in part on oil. As the price of oil continues to rise, the money saved by employi...

The definitive guide to cleaning and treating tile and slate roofs As one of the world's most durable and long-lasting roofing systems, this definitive guide to cleaning and treating slate or tile roofs will help you protect your investment for a lifetime. Whether made of concrete, clay, or natural slate, tile roofs ar...

Urban heat island effect and how to mitigate it Have you ever noticed how much hotter it feels in the city on a sweltering summer day compared to the surrounding countryside? This phenomenon is known as the urban heat island effect, and it has significant impacts on human health, energy consumption, and the environment...

How to choose eco-friendly drywall: There is a lot more to choosing drywall than one might think, and as it finds its way into pretty much every building made, a lot of resources are used in the process and noses irritated. In the LEED Platinum certified Edelweiss House, we used CGC Sheetrock® Brand Ultralight gypsum ...