When you want to make your business more environmentally friendly, start by looking up. Standard commercial roofing materials allow heat to move in and out of the building easily. Upgrading to a greener option allows you to have more control over heating, cooling, and electricity bills and lower your company’s carbon footprint. Here are three established eco-friendly materials to consider.

What Are Some Eco-Friendly Commercial Roofing Materials?

1. Metal Roofing

The material is fully recyclable, and some commercial roofing metals—like aluminum—are already made of mostly recycled metals. Aluminum, zinc, copper, and many other metals are also found naturally in the Earth’s crust and replenish over time.

Metal roofs are also incredibly durable and can last more than 50 years with little maintenance. They are also fire-resistant and reflect sunlight, which helps to reduce energy costs in the summer and melt snow and ice faster in the winter.

2. Cool Roofing

White roofs, also known as cool roofs, are designed to reflect heat to lower energy usage within the building. They are made of either highly reflective paint, a sheet covering, or reflective tiles or shingles. The reflective properties make the roof an average of 50 degrees cooler than a dark roof in the same area. These eco roofs are one of the least expensive green options, but they do typically require adding a reflective coating over asphalt, which cannot be recycled.

3. Green Roofing

A green roof accommodates plant life to provide natural insulation and reduce energy costs. Like other commercial roofing systems, it must include drainage, but the vegetation absorbs stormwater and decreases the need for more complex and expensive setups. For businesses in urban areas, they also help to improve air quality and lower the urban heat island effect—a condition that occurs when city and suburban developments absorb and trap heat.

If you want to make your business more environmentally friendly, turn to the professionals at Bourdeau Contracting for trusted commercial roofing options. For over 17 years, this veteran-owned small business has provided roofing installations, repairs, and maintenance services to companies throughout St. Charles County, MO. Their roofing contractors are licensed, insured, and OSHA-trained, and they can diagnose any situation to come up with a solution. Call (636) 244-2303 to schedule a free estimate, and visit their website to learn more about their services.