The three most environmentally friendly roof tiles
If you want to burnish your eco-credentials, you may want to source the most environmentally friendly roof tiles for your new build or extension.
A typical four-bed home has at least 100 square metres of roof surface, and carbon-guzzling roofing materials could burden the environment. So it makes sense to investigate the most sustainable tiles available.
What factors do I need to consider?
Deciding between popular roof tiles like clay, metal or slate will mean considering the environmental impact of your tiles throughout their lifetime.
There is a lot to think about.
Firstly, you must consider fabrication methods and the materials used to make the tiles.
Of course, the longer your tiles last, the more sustainable they are, so durability and recyclability are also essential considerations.
Tiles that do a good job of keeping the heat in your home and the cold out also tick the eco-friendly box, reducing your energy consumption and helping you control your heating bills.
A factor not always considered is the transport energy required to bring the tiles from their place of origin to your building site.
Maintaining the condition of your roof with our roof cleaning service is a great way to get the best out of whichever type of tile you choose.
Three environmentally friendly options
The following are among the most environmentally friendly options for roof tiles.
Clay tiles
Clay tiles are made from readily available materials such as clay and water. This ancient type of tile would originally have been handmade and dried in the sun, making its carbon print extremely small.
Although now produced at an industrial scale, clay tiles are still made of natural materials using a relatively simple manufacturing process.
Clay tiles are long-lasting and may last up to 50 years on your roof. They are also recyclable, adding to their status as a sustainable option. Homeowners also like their excellent thermal insulation properties, which saves on fuel costs.
Clay tiles are produced in the UK and are easy to source locally wherever you live.
Clay requires very little maintenance, just a wash to ensure that lichen and mosses do not develop.
Metal tiles
Metal tiled roofs can last for decades, and the tiles are fully recyclable. In fact, many manufacturers make their tiles from recycled materials, to begin with.
Metal tiles can be installed over an existing roof, reducing the environmental impact of removing and disposing of used roofing materials.
The tiles are light, which reduces the need for heavy materials in their structural support and energy consumption during transportation and installation.
Slate tiles
The most sustainable of all is the slate tile. This natural stone requires minimal processing to achieve a usable product.
Supremely durable slate tiles often outlive the building where they are first used and are commonly recycled.
Slate tiles can be sourced from all over the world, including Spain, Brazil, China and the US. However, UK builders can use premium slate from Wales, ensuring that the transport of the slates is low on carbon emissions.
They are low maintenance, but cracked tiles must be replaced quickly to avoid water damage. Our inspection service will spot loose or cracked tiles before they become a problem.
How Improve a Roof can help
A well-maintained roof lasts longer. Our cleaning and inspection service will ensure your roof stays in tip-top condition, whichever type of sustainable tile you choose, by keeping it clean and free of moss and finding loose or cracked tiles.
We provide roof cleaning services in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Manchester, Merseyside, North Wales, Derbyshire, Shropshire, and Staffordshire.
Call us NOW on: 0800 046 9686 for a free, no-obligation quotation.