Gaithersburg Roofing: Article About Recycled Roofing Materials
A roof tile is a thin slab of either concrete or clay that has been fired. The tiles come in a number of different shapes depending on where they should be placed on the roof. For example, ridge tiles cover the roof ridge while hip tiles are curved in a way to better protect the roof hip.
FAQ from Gaithersburg roofing contractors: Why are asphalt shingles often not recycled?Part of the issue when attempting to recycle shingles is that not all states have facilities that are equipped to process them as the shingles need to be separated from tarpaper and other non-recyclable materials. Additionally, older shingles often contain asbestos. If this is the case, there are different procedures for handling these shingles, and many are not recycled.
Most roofing debris, which may include broken or cracked asphalt shingles, damaged tiles and other roofing material refuse, can potentially be recycled and reused. For many homeowners who are looking for ways to reduce their ecological footprint, the ability to recycle or reuse certain materials may factor into the decision to use those materials in a reroofing project. A Gaithersburg roofing contractor may help homeowners find the roofing materials that fit their wants and needs.
The most popular roofing material among homeowners is asphalt shingles. This roofing material is recyclable, meaning that once the used shingles are removed from a home, they can be transformed into other products. Usually, recycled shingles are used in pavement and roadways. This reduces the need for the production of new asphalt and also potentially increases the quality of resurfaced roads. While this sounds promising, many homeowners do not do the homework required to recycle the used materials; thus, asphalt shingles often end up in landfills.
While asphalt shingles can be reused in other construction projects, the materials themselves are rarely made using recycled materials. Most metal roofs, on the other hand, are often comprised of a certain percentage of recycled content. Additionally, the entire metal roof itself is 100 percent reusable once it is removed from the home.
The roofing experts at Seneca Creek Home Improvement of Gaithersburg MD can assist you with any questions regarding roofing, doors or gutters.
Not only does this roofing material reduce the amount of construction waste that is dumped in the landfill, they are also believed to reduce energy consumption by as much as 25 percent.
Clay roofing tiles are also reusable. In some cases, the tiles can be sold to vintage dealers who may use undamaged or even broken tiles to repair other roofs. In fact, the tiles could have a high value depending on their manufacturer, the date they were made and the type of tile itself. Otherwise, clay tiles can be used in other construction projects, such as walkways or pathways.
There are specific procedures that must be followed in order to recycle a large amount of used roofing materials. In some cases, the materials may need to be sorted prior to being accepted by the recycling company. Some recycling companies only accept certain types of shingles or other roofing materials, so homeowners should know if their roofing materials can be recycled before carting them off. Prior to beginning the reroofing project, homeowners should consult with their local roofers to see what options they offer or if they can help recycle the roofing materials.
