In our everyday lives, we typically don’t associate the word “technology” with “roofing.” When we think of technology, we think about electronics—the latest and greatest in their innovations. But over time, everything in our daily lives eventually changes and evolves.
Traditional roofing material such as wood, slate, or asphalt shingles are still being widely used. However, people are becoming more conscious of the materials used in and on their home. And roofing manufacturers are following suit by using technology to develop roofs that are aesthetically appealing but also functional in terms of being eco-friendly and low-maintenance. Here are the three new technologies in roofing to keep an eye on.
Recycled Rubber Roofing
Rubber roofing is a fairly new material, but it’s one that’s catching on quickly due to their eco-friendly status. At State Roofing, we offer two recycled rubber roofs: Euroshake and Euroslate. This specific roofing material was developed with the goal of saving landfills from overflowing with more used tires. The Euroshake and Euroslate rubber roofs are made from approximately 95% recycled material. This means that whenever a homeowner installs a rubber roof, they’re actually saving landfills from 250 to 1,000 rubber tires that would have otherwise been dumped there. Also, did you know that 11 million tons of asphalt shingle waste is generated in the United State alone? By choosing rubber, not only does your roof keep tires from landfills, but it helps to keep asphalt shingles from landfills. In addition, any scrap material created during installation of rubber roofs can be recycled again, helping to eliminate excess waste.
When we’re talking about rubber tires, you’re probably imagining rubber roofs that resemble black rubber tires with tread marks. However, they’re designed to mimic traditional shakes and shingles and also come in a variety of appealing colors. Compared to conventional roofing materials, rubber roofs come without the high-maintenance hassles such as cracks, crumbles, or curls. Here are some of the top benefits of rubber roofs:
Euroshake:
- Manufactured in lightweight sheets of panels in various widths to give the illusion of real shakes
- Offers a tight fit to keep rain out, thanks to interlocking tongue-and-groove tiles
- Resistant to splitting, cracking, curling, and other surface wear
- Protects against moss and algae
Euroslate:
- Withstands winds up to 140 MPH
- Resistant to fire and hail
- Resistant to splitting, cracking, curling, and other surface wear
- Resistant to moss and algae
- Features tongue-and-groove interlocking tiles
Rubber roofs are also revered for their insulation capabilities, which means you’ll ultimately save money on your utility bills. So if you combine the utility-saving factor with the low-maintenance nature of rubber roofs and wide variety of colors, you’re looking at an advanced roofing material that not only looks good on your home, but is also friendly on your wallet in the long-run.
Metal Roofing
Traditional roofing materials such as asphalt shingles or wood shakes are notorious for cracking or warping over time. And then there’s the phenomenon of modern metal roofs that are resistant to distortion that comes with traditional roofing materials. Similar to rubber roofs, metal roofs are extremely eco-friendly. They’re typically made from recycled material and can also be recycled when their lifetime comes to an end.
At State Roofing, we offer three different kinds of metal roofs. Here are some of their advanced features.
- Withstands winds up to 120 MPH
- Rated as fireproof
- Includes 24- and 26-gauge G-90 galvanized steel construction, which is 50% stronger than the industry standard
- Features Kynar 500 and SMP finishes that create a “no fade” surface that won’t crack, split, or break
- Withstands winds up to 110 MPH
- Rated as fireproof
- Includes 30-gauge G-90 galvanized steel construction, which is 50% stronger than the industry standard
- Features Kynar 500 and SMP finishes that create a “no fade” surface that won’t crack, split, or break
- Withstands winds up to 120 MPH
- Rated as fireproof
- Includes 26-gauge G-90 galvanized steel construction, which is 50% stronger than the industry standard
- Features Kynar 500 and SMP finishes that create a “no fade” surface that won’t crack, split, or break
- Available in 16-oz pure copper
Modern metal roofs are extremely durable, being able to withstand some of the harshest and severe weather—from extreme heat to snowstorms. And with their durability comes their longevity, with some lasting for several decades. Metal roofs are also energy-efficient since they’re able to reflect UV rays, which means your home stays cooler during the warm summer months, saving you money on your utility bills. And of course, they’re virtually maintenance-free, saving you both time and money.
Lastly, one of the greatest benefits of metal roofs is that some styles, such as the standing seam mentioned above, are solar-ready. Solar panels can be easily snapped on, preventing the dangers of water penetration that are typical of a solar panel addition to other types of roofing material.
Solar Roofing
We’ve all heard of solar roofing, but did you know there are different styles of solar roofing? The latest technology to come out of solar roofing is solar shingles.
Similar to traditional asphalt shingles, solar shingles are installed in a similar fashion, allowing you to mix regular shingles with solar shingles on any roof. Prior to 2008, thin-film solar cells (what solar shingles were back then) were much less efficient, barely going above 10% conversion efficiency. However, in 2008, it was discovered that copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) allowed the solar shingles to reach 19.9% conversion efficiency. Before 2008, solar panels beat out the conversion efficiency of solar shingles, but advances in technology has solar panels and solar shingles neck-and-neck in the solar race.
Last but not least, solar shingles are also aesthetically pleasing since they lay flat with regular shingles, whereas solar panels must be mounted above roofing materials. But this really comes down to personal preference since they both have similar conversion efficiency rates.
Just like everything thing else in our lives, roofing materials have come a very long way since the traditional wood, slate, and asphalt shingle days. Unlike traditional roofing materials, the materials mentioned above are all virtually maintenance-free, allowing homeowners to save on time and money. In particular, the eco-friendly factor ranks high among recycled rubber, metal, and solar roofs. Rubber and metal roofs are made from recycled material, and any scraps created during the installation process or after their lifespan has come to an end can be recycled again. Solar shingles allow homeowners to be self-sufficient in producing their own energy, and technology has helped increase the conversion efficiency of solar shingles. Overall, these advanced materials have improved the performance and longevity of roofs—something that is top priority for homeowners.
Whether you’re in Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Snohomish, Sammamish, or any surrounding area, and you’re interested in learning more about new technologies in roofing, we’re here to help. Give us a call at (360) 794-7164 or fill out our contact form.