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It’s a sad reality that humans are polluting the earth, depleting its natural resources and creating vast amounts of waste. But now, armed with this knowledge, more and more organisations and individuals are working hard to try and undo this, to preserve the planet and conserve resources like water and fossil fuels.

From swapping plastic for paper straws, all the way up to driving electric cars and building environmentally friendly infrastructure, every action, no matter how big or small, can help to save the planet.

The construction industry in particular relies heavily on natural resources such as stone, sand and metal for building structures. That is why sustainability is such a hot topic for those who work in the industry and those who require their services.

So if you’re refurbishing an existing building or creating a new one this year, it’s important that you think about its impact on the planet and how you can make it more eco-friendly.

In this guide, we’re going to focus on the facade, specifically, the roof. We’re going to look at the different types of sustainable roofing you could choose for a more eco-friendly structure, whether that’s a house, office, school or any other type of building.

Green roofs

Let’s start with a roof facade that is easily recognised as environmentally friendly and this is green roofing systems. A lot of thought and careful planning has to go into this style of roof in order to make sure it doesn’t impact the structure below, but it is worth it.

Green roofs require at least three basic layers and these are a drainage, filter and vegetation layer. Of course, it’s important that these aren’t too heavy and they don’t add too much height to the property, so each element must be carefully thought out.

These roofing systems are beneficial as they can help to cool the building naturally, as the plants soak up the sunlight, helping to keep the internal temperature down. Plus, the vegetation converts CO2 to oxygen, which can reduce air pollution.

As if that wasn’t enough, the finished effect of a green roof is incredible to look at and can totally transform the appearance of a building.

Reclaimed tiles

As we’ve said, humans generate far too much waste, so why not consider using reclaimed materials for your roofing?

These could be made from discarded clay or slate discarded roof tiles. These can be reprocessed to create a new, protective tile that can be used again.

This is good for a number of reasons. For one thing, you are recycling old products, this means less need to be produced to meet demand. Not only that, but these are very durable and can last for decades.

On top of all that, they can also provide an interesting aesthetic for your building as the colour and style create a vintage look.

Solar panel roofs

The use of solar panels on roofs has increased substantially over the last decade. However, as technology continues to advance and there are more ways to harness the power of the sun, this trend looks set to continue growing.

This is one of the most sustainable practices out there, and solar energy is not only good for the planet but also for your bank balance. Even on overcast days, you’ll be able to power your property.

Best of all, these panels don’t have to be big or bulky like they used to be. Nowadays, you can get a variety of sleek solar roofs that blend in seamlessly with the rest of your facade.

Sustainable shingles

Finally, shingle roofs can be very popular and they can also be made using sustainable and recyclable materials.

Wood shingle is very popular, in particular, cedar wood is best for this style of roofing. This is because it offers a great aesthetic, can last for over 30 years and as it comes from a renewable ecosystem, it’s better for the planet than man-made products.

Alternatively, you can choose shingles that are made using waste or recycled products. This might not sound attractive, but they are designed and made to the highest standard to ensure they protect the structure and offer a stylish finish.

Some examples of these could be asphalt shingles which can be made from organic materials such as waste paper, cellulose or wood fibre. These are durable, recyclable and they help to keep your property cool.