Is Metal Roofing Sustainable? Why It’s One of the Greenest Roofs You Can Buy

If you’re looking for sustainable roofing, the most important question isn’t what the roof is made of. It’s how many times it will need to be replaced. A metal roof is about as close to a permanent roof as a home can get, and that’s what makes it one of the most environmentally friendly choices you can make.

The Greenest Roof Is the One You Don’t Replace

In our experience, asphalt shingles in Ontario typically last 9 to 13 years. A properly installed metal roof will outlast several asphalt roofs, and every one of those replacements means another full roof of shingles torn off and sent to the landfill. Choosing a roof that lasts is the single biggest thing you can do to cut that waste. See what one of our aluminum roofs looks like 10 years after installation.

Less Waste on Day One

Many steel and aluminum shingle roofs can go right over one or two layers of existing asphalt shingles. When that’s possible, your old shingles stay on the house instead of going into a dumpster. (Standing seam roofs always need a tear-off.)

Recyclable at the End of Its Life

Steel and aluminum are both recyclable, so when a metal roof does eventually come off, it can be recycled rather than buried. Most asphalt shingles, by contrast, still end up in landfill. It’s recycled at the start of its life, too. The manufacturer of Classic Aluminum roofing says its panels are made from up to 95% recycled aluminum. In our experience, that’s a big reason some environmentally minded homeowners choose aluminum, even though it costs more than our more budget-friendly Armadura steel.

Fewer Repairs, Fewer Materials

Every roof we install goes directly on the deck, with interlocking panels and hidden fasteners. There’s no wood strapping underneath to rot and no exposed screws to loosen and replace, so the roof needs far fewer repairs, and far fewer materials, over its life.

Cooler in Summer, Too

Metal reflects more of the sun’s heat than asphalt, which can help keep upper floors cooler. We cover that in more detail in our post on energy-efficient roofing.

Sustainability in Real Life

For the owners of this Thornhill home, sustainability was a big part of their decision. They chose a Clicklock aluminum standing seam roof because it will last for decades and can be fully recycled at the end of its life.