ideal-roofing / 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...

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...

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...

The definitive guide to cleaning and preserving cedar roofs To maintain the unique beauty and longevity of a cedar shake roof, it is essential to have a definitive guide for cleaning and preservation that protects this premium, natural material. Unlike mass-produced roofing, cedar shakes and shingles require specific c...

It is pretty much inevitable that at least some warm, moist air from living areas will find its way into the roof of a building and bring with it the very real risk of frost and ice forming in a cold climate, or mold and rot in a temperate climate. This is a simple product of physics and the realities and limitations o...

Rooftop solar-power production is fairly commonplace now, and you always know exactly which roof has them because they are highly-visible and somewhat clunky looking. They aren’t ugly but, they aren’t really beautiful either.  As a follow-up to our original article on the Tesla solar roof here, the next phase of solar-...

The Telsa solar roof tiles are in the news again. They now have solar panel shingle installations going in 8 states so far - with what's becoming competitive pricing. If news of these PV roof shingles is also news to you, check out our Tesla solar roof review from when it was first announced in 2016. What was missing b...

Commercial green roof case study AB Canada Nestled in the Oldman River valley in Lethbridge Alberta, the green roof on the Helen Schuler Nature Centre (HSNC) has been attracting local and international attention from visitors and living roof enthusiasts since its completion in 2013. On the roof of the building, a 200m2...

DIY green roof installation The following DIY green roof video shows the steps needed to ensure your green roof will not leak. Watch more Green Building Guide videos from Ecohome on YouTube here   The most common building material used for roofing in North America is asphalt shingles, and because of their poor durabil...

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...