
In this day and age, there is a unending trend to embrace Mother Nature and to do as much as possible to limit one’s carbon footprint. There are many roofing materials that can improve the energy efficiency of a home and nearly every alternative lasts more than two decades without need for replacement today. But, if you really want to get back to basics, then you might consider a roofing material taken straight from the earth.
Among the most commonly used natural roofing products is wood. Today, cedar shakes are coated to prevent moisture retention and to reduce the risk of home fires. They can be stained, painted, lacquered or left to age gracefully. The options are so endless that nearly every house style can look beautiful with wood atop it. Even without the coating, cedar is highly water resistant on its own and offers superior insulation. In addition to those properties, these shakes provide excellent ventilation, which means that your Houston home will stay cooler in the brutally hot summer months. The downside of wood is that is appeals to other species as well. Molds, algae, and even insects can take up lodging in your roofing material. So, there is a need for regular, annual inspection and cleaning — offered at http://www.houstonroofingcontractors.co/ or by the homeowner himself — to ensure that none of these problems lead to the need for Houston roof repair.
Another natural roofing material that has been topping houses for centuries is clay. Derived straight from the earth and considered a renewable resource, clay offers a great deal to those who strive to be eco-friendly. The material reduces energy usage because it is highly insulating and provides unmatched ventilation for the home. It also lasts much longer than other roofing options. Many clay roofs that were assembled a century ago are still intact. Roofers give it a conservative life span estimate of fifty years. The disadvantages of clay are linked to its weight. A single square of tiles – that is to say 100 square feet worth – can weigh more than eight hundred pounds. Even a very small house will require ten squares worth to cover its roof and that would equate to four tons. Not all construction is equipped to handle that sort of weight.
Though slate has been installed on rooftops for centuries as well, in this area, it is not a common type of roofing. The Woodlands hasn’t seen as many slate roofs in recent decades because the material can be very expensive to work with, which you can learn more about at this website. That being said, however, it is well worth the investment for those who can afford it. Slate is naturally waterproof, fire resistant, and insulating. It can take a brutal beating without giving way and isn’t susceptible to insects or plant life. Slate roofs can easily last a century with very little maintenance and will look beautiful during all of that time.
Affordable Houston Roofing Solutions
5100 Westheimer # 200-A1
Houston, TX 77056
(832) 730-2500
window pair | Flickr – Photo Sharing! : taken from – http://www.flickr.com/photos/opera-nut/4018961160/Author: shaferlens http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en














