Choosing your roofing materials wisely is an important decision when replacing your roof – the roof is after all, one of the most crucial elements in weatherproofing your home. When it comes to roofing in New Zealand, there is a clear winner for sustainability, longevity and durability – metal roofing (otherwise known as steel roofing, long run roofing iron, steel cladding or pressed metal tiles). Read on to find out more about sustainable roofing, why it matters and the benefits of metal roofing.
What is Sustainability In Construction
Firstly, let’s better define sustainability as there are many different perceptions of what the term means in today’s marketplace. Perhaps the most important thing to remember when considering sustainability in construction is that it is not just about producing or using products in the most environmentally friendly or ethical way; it’s actually more about incorporating and understanding the importance of how the entire building or construction project can have a positive impact on the future.
The sustainability concept involves consideration of economic, social and environmental costs relating to the entire project lifecycle, including embodied costs, which are things like raw material extraction, fuels and resources used in manufacturing and transportation, labour and installation, usability over the lifetime of the product and end-of-life use or recyclability, which is far greater reaching than the traditional approach to the somewhat vague “environmentally friendly” approach.
Why Does It Matter?
Why are we concerned about making sustainable choices in construction? There are three main reasons why sustainability matters: First and foremost, the preservation of the earth and its atmosphere, and secondly yet no less important, the health and well-being of its residents, and lastly, because The Building Act 2004 requires us to!
The Building Act 2004 wants to do its part in ensuring buildings are “designed, constructed and able to be used in ways that promote sustainable development”. Metal roofing goes a long way to meeting these requirements by providing a construction product that meets, if not exceeds, the requirements of the Act. With this in mind, let’s take a look at the benefits of metal/steel roofing below and how the product meets this definition of sustainability.
10 Benefits Of Metal Roofing With Sustainability In Mind
Metal roofing has a number of benefits that make it an excellent choice for those looking to make their homes more sustainable both now and in the future.
1. High Recyclability
One of the most widely known sustainability benefits of metal/steel roofing is that it is 100% recyclable – which is very rare for building materials. Steel roofing can be recycled many many times without losing its functionality. This high recyclability ultimately means less landfill waste and better end of life results.
2. Lightweight Construction
Metal roofing is incredibly lightweight in comparison to other roofing options (something proven to be desirable during the Christchurch earthquakes of 2010 for obvious reasons). Perhaps most importantly, where sustainability is concerned, the lightweight nature of metal roofing requires less load on the overall framing and structure of the building, meaning the use of fewer materials and reduced construction time. Plus – lightweight means it is very easy to transport, store and dispose of with reduced environmental impact.
3. Impressive Durability
Once attached to the building, metal roofing provides a strength and durability that is unmatched by any other roofing material. Unlike other roofing materials that can deteriorate cracking, warping, or rotting over time, metal roofing is built tough and built to last with very little intervention. This durability offers extended product lifetimes (sometimes as long as 50-70 years which is 2 to 3 times more than most other roofing options), meaning the need for new products and the associated waste when replacing the roof is significantly less frequent.
4. Wide Ranging Versatility
Metal roofing is so versatile it can be used across pretty much all situations, environments and weather conditions. It can withstand extreme temperatures, high winds, and heavy rain without showing any signs of wear and tear. For the homeowner, this means it won’t be necessary to replace your roof as often – great news for both your wallet and the environment!
5. Easy Installation
The very nature of metal roofing means it is very easy to install, it is lightweight and easily handled by hand without the need for heavy machinery or additional energy/resource consumption. Prefabrication of steel also helps contribute to faster construction times and therefore costs while also reducing construction site waste.
6. Environmentally Friendly
Steel/metal roofing is considered infinitely recyclable and can be reused and repurposed in many ways over the span of its long lifetime. Aside from the obvious reduced environmental impact, this also means its embodied energy costs (those associated with its manufacturing process including extraction, manufacture, transportation, installation, usage and recyclability) are extended over a longer time – reducing its environmental impact. It is also worth noting that in regard to products such as the popular NZ ColorSteel range, these are made right here in New Zealand from New Zealand materials meaning a lower carbon footprint/environmental cost than products that have to be shipped in – see here for more on the sustainability practices of ColorSteel NZ.
7. Naturally Low Maintenance
Because metal roof coatings are naturally maintenance-free (resistant to moss and mildew growth, staining etc.) this can also result in the reduced need for strong chemical treatments or repetitive repainting that can be harmful to the environment.
8. Tried And Tested
Having been a popular fixture in the New Zealand housing market dating back to our early settlers, metal roofing has stood the test of time and only improved its performance in relation to improving longevity. This means it has a very long lifetime before further energy-consuming/resource-devouring processing, such as recycling or disposal is required, offering excellent value for money and for the environment!
9. Readily Available
Metal roofing is widely available throughout New Zealand, making it easy to source for even the remotest job and in the colour and profile you prefer. This availability not only provides greater customer satisfaction, it means transportation costs can be minimised.
10. Offers Greater Energy Efficiency
Metal naturally reflects heat from the sun helping your home to stay cooler in the summer months cutting back on the amount of energy needed to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. The colour of roofing iron you choose will greatly increase or decrease this natural ability – the lighter the colour the more efficient heat reflection (this can sometimes be as much as a 10 to 20% reduction in interior cooling costs).
Bonus Benefit: Metal Roofing Is Water Collection Friendly!
For those with high environmentally-friendly home desires where water preservation and use is of top priority, it can be useful to know that metal roofing is a great choice for water collection. Metal roofs are designed to be rainwater-friendly, which means that they can collect rainwater and channel it into collection systems enabling water for non-potable uses (or even potable ones where appropriate water treatment processes are followed).
So if you’re looking for a roofing option that excels in the sustainability stakes, then metal roofing is definitely at the top of the list! Looking at replacing your roof and need to talk to someone about your options? Get in touch with Action Reroofing today.
