Many homeowners and roofing contractors are recognizing the benefits of recycling asphalt shingling. Recycling these shingles when they reach the end of their lifespan helps protect the environment. What do we find when we examine the environmental impact of asphalt shingle recycling?
What are recycled asphalt shingles used for?
Once the roofers tear off the old roofing, they can take them to a nearby recycling complex, remove any debris on the shingles, separate the nails, and reuse them.
They are generally used to make new roads by adding used asphalt to the pavement mix, helping create a more durable asphalt product.
There are a lot of asphalt shingles out there. In the United States alone, there are about 11 million tons of waste asphalt generated each year.
What are the benefits of asphalt shingle recycling?
Asphalt shingles have been known to take hundreds of years to fully decompose when dumped in a landfill. Recycling old roofing products gives you the opportunity to do your part in creating a stronger, healthier planet.
With recycling, these materials won’t be sitting in landfill waste that’s harmful not only to the Earth but also to the local area that you live in.
In addition, reusing asphalt pavement saves taxpayers money, because there will be less demand for new materials.
Lastly, recycling asphalt shingle roofing is also more cost-effective than disposing of them in a landfill.
What are the downsides of asphalt shingles themselves?
It’s a good thing that there are so many benefits to asphalt shingle recycling. Asphalt shingles themselves have quite a few downsides, especially compared to aluminum roofing.
For example, asphalt doesn’t last as long as other roofing options. This is in part due to the materials themselves as well as a likelihood to be torn off or damaged by sustained high winds.
Asphalt shingles also attract mildew, a common problem with this type of roofing material. Finally, asphalt shingles are not usually a good choice for flat roof sections. When laid flat on a flat roof, asphalt tends to deteriorate at a faster rate than other roofing materials.
Are you ready to start your roofing replacement project?
If you have an asphalt roof that is decades old and needs to be replaced, let us help! Consider changing what type of roofing products will replace your roof and think about the benefits of metal roofing. Metal roofs are one of the most environmentally friendly roofing options on the market today.
At Mountaintop Metal Roofing, we have the experience and roofing expertise you can trust to get your roof replacement project done quickly and efficiently. We specialize in metal roofing that is incredibly durable and energy-efficient.
Metal roofs last for decades and require little to no maintenance. At the end of your roof replacement project, you can sit back and behold the beauty of a roof that stands the test of time. And if you currently have an asphalt shingle roof, you can breathe a little easier knowing you’ve upgraded to eco-friendly metal roofing.
Contact us today to learn more about our metal roofing products and services!