Roofing-material choices make it easier to be green

Happiness is like a room without a roof, in the words of that ubiquitous hit song, Happy.

Happiness is also a home with a good roof, especially in the oft-soggy Pacific Northwest.

Every homeowner wants a roof that looks attractive, doesnt leak, lasts for many years and doesnt cost too much. But in these days of climate change and waste consciousness, a roof should also meet high environmental standards.

Fortunately, plenty of green choices are available that can indeed make you happy about your roof.

Hot roofs

The environmental impact of a roof depends largely on the roofing material. For angled or pitched roofs, material choices include asphalt, wood, metal, clay, concrete, slate, plastic, rubber or a combination.

For a flat roof, the main choice is still the traditional hot tar created with asphalt and oil, although greener alternatives exist, such as planted vegetation roofs.

Before you decide on the material, consider what you want from your roof.

If you plan to install rooftop solar panels someday, youll need a type of roofing material that will accommodate and hopefully outlast them. Solar panels are commonly installed on standard asphalt shingle roofs, but metal roofs work even better.

Many Seattle-area residents collect rain runoff from their roofs in rain barrels or cisterns. If you use this water for the birds or for watering edible plants, avoid certain cedar shakes or other roofing materials that may leach chemicals, such as flame retardants.

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Roofing-material choices make it easier to be green