Choosing a roofing material involves more than considering appearance, durability, and cost. For homeowners, contractors, and architects looking to reduce the environmental impact of a roofing project, the materials used to manufacture a roof – as well as its energy efficiency, lifespan, and eventual disposal – can also play an important role.
Synthetic roofing has evolved considerably over the past several decades, providing an alternative to traditional roofing materials such as natural slate and wood shake. In addition to offering durability and design versatility, synthetic roofing can provide environmental advantages throughout its lifecycle.
Those advantages can begin with how the roofing material is made and continue through its installation, performance, longevity, and eventual replacement.
The 5 Greatest Advantages of Synthetic Roofing
- Resource Conservation
- Energy Efficiency
- Durability and Longevity
- Reduced Waste
- Lightweight Construction
Benefit #1: Resource Conservation
Developing traditional roofing systems requires exploiting natural resources. When raw materials are extracted unsustainably, it can rapidly deplete those resources. This can, in turn, threaten livelihoods and cause damage to ecosystem functions.
Synthetic roofing can be made from recycled materials. EcoStar tiles are made with up to 80% recycled post-industrial rubber and plastic. Using our products helps divert millions of pounds of scrap rubber and plastic from landfills annually. This effort and focus go a long way in protecting the planet.
Benefit #2: Energy Efficiency
When it comes to traditional roofing systems, producing new roofing materials involves mining, extracting, transporting, and processing virgin raw materials before profile production can begin. These activities take energy and have an environmental impact. Conversely, manufacturing synthetic roofing from recycled materials involves only converting an existing product into a new one.
Some synthetic roofing products are also offered in “cool roof rated colors”, which are more energy-efficient. The materials blended into these products reflect sunlight better than conventional roofing, which helps reduce the cooling load on your building. This not only reduces your property’s carbon footprint but also allows you to save on energy costs. EcoStar offers eleven cool roof colors. A cool roof is a roofing system that delivers higher solar reflectance and better thermal emittance than standard-designed roofing products.
Benefit #3: Durability and Longevity
EcoStar synthetic roofing uses high-quality recycled materials. These materials are tested before production starts and are designed to be more durable than traditional roofing materials. Synthetic materials are made to withstand significant impact, heavy rains, and extreme temperatures. When installed correctly, a synthetic roof can last more than 50 years.
Because synthetic materials are durable and long-lasting, fewer repairs are needed over the roof’s lifetime. It will also take a while before your roof’s life cycle is exhausted, meaning you will not have to replace it frequently. In the end, investing in a synthetic roof is a good financial decision that also helps protect the environment.
Benefit #4: Reduced Waste
Synthetic roofing materials help to reduce waste in several ways. For example, EcoStar roofing products contain recycled rubber and plastic. By converting waste into reusable material, the amount of waste that ends up in landfills is reduced significantly.
Second, synthetic materials are durable. This reduces the need to remove and replace your roof often, which, in turn, minimizes the waste produced from the roof over the life of your building.
Third, once a synthetic roof reaches the end of its lifespan and is removed, the materials can be recycled again and used to create other products. This can significantly reduce your environmental footprint.
Benefit #5: Lightweight Construction
There are many benefits you will enjoy when you choose synthetic materials for your roof. The lightweight nature of synthetic roofing means it can be installed over your home’s existing structure without overtaxing it. Most of the time, you will not need additional structural support to hold the weight of the roof.
Lightweight construction also makes the roofing products easy to transport. It reduces the risk of damaged tiles during delivery and installation, as with natural products. As a result, it minimizes waste on the construction site.
Discover What You Gain From Synthetic Roofing
Synthetic roofing doesn’t just closely match the look of natural materials; it’s specifically designed to address the limitations of natural roofing and exceed them, delivering superior durability, versatility, and long-term performance for nearly any building project.
Are you looking for the perfect product to meet your roofing needs? EcoStar LLC is the leading manufacturer of sustainable, environmentally friendly roofing products. We have been offering our customers quality products made with recycled rubber and plastics for 30 years. Contact us today to learn more.