If you are concerned about the environment and want to help protect it, you should consider eco-friendly roofing materials, colours and repair strategies. Whether you are designing a new home, thinking about replacing your existing roof or just looking for ways to be more environmentally friendly, check out these tips. They will guide you toward a "greener" roof.

1. Choose long lasting materials when installing a new roof

When it comes to roofing materials, asphalt shingles are certainly not the only option. If you want something more environmentally friendly, you may want to avoid this traditional choice and look for roofing materials made of recycled elements.

Additionally, look for a roof that promises to last a long time. Wood shingles last longer than their asphalt counterparts and as long as they are from a sustainable source, they are great for homes. However, if you live in an area with a high fire risk, you definitely want to stay away from wood.

Instead, look at stone, clay or metal roofing materials. These materials will last a "lifetime" and some even come with a 100 year guarantee. Once you narrow down your roofing material, you need to select a colour.

2. Select roofing materials in light colours

Most of the roofs in Australia are gray or black. While these colours may look nice from a style perspective, they are not great from an environmental perspective. Ideally, you want to stay away from dark colours and embrace light coloured roofing materials.

If you are installing a ceramic roof, consider light pink, blue, white or any other light colour that appeals to you. If you are installing a metal roof, you can have it painted a light colour, or you can simply choose a naturally light-coloured reflective metal. Talk with your roofing contractor about more options.

3. Use the space

The environmental impact your roof has does not need to be restricted to its materials and colour. You can also create a positive impact by the way you use the space on your roof. One popular way to use the space is to install solar panels on it. These panels soak up sunlight, turn it into electricity and help you power your home in a sustainable way.

You can also add plants to your roof. These help to remove carbon dioxide from the air, reducing pollution. However, before you start gardening on your roof, make sure it can support it. If you are designing your home, your designer can help make a rooftop garden possible, but if your home is already built, you will need to understand how much weight it can hold – although plants are relatively lightweight, their wet soil and roots can get heavy.

4. Plant trees

Even if you can't garden on your roof, you can use trees to shade it. As soon as you can, plant trees that will grow up and shade your roof. It may take ten to twenty years for them to become full-sized, but once they do, you will notice a cooling effect that helps you to lower your air conditioning bill.

5. Maintain your roof as needed

Timely roof repairs or reroofing can also benefit the environment. By repairing your roof, you prevent disrepair from spreading, and you stave off the need to replace it. As a result, fewer resources are used, and you don't send old roofing materials to the landfill.

In addition, by keeping your roof well maintained, you avoid holes or leaks allowing mold-causing moisture into the home. As a result, you safeguard not only the environment of the planet but your home's environment and your family's health.