Searching for ideas to make your home a greener place to live?

Consider the roof over your head- the material you choose to protect you from the elements can make a big difference to the environment.

A metal roof is a perfect choice for homeowners looking for a sustainable roof. Home improvement expert Bill Hippard, president of the not-for-profit Metal Roofing Alliance (www.metalroofing.com) outlines five reasons why a metal roof is the best roofing material for your home and for the environment:

Eco-friendly products, including metal roofs, are rapidly replacing petroleum-based asphalt shingles.

Approximately 11 million tons of asphalt shingle waste is generated and disposed of in U.S. landfills every year.

The average metal roof contains a minimum of 25 percent recycled content. Some contain a much higher percentage. Although durable metal roofs will likely outlast your home. So if you ever do re-roof, the material is 100% recyclable.

Because of its ability to reduce both cooling and heating energy usage, cool metal roofing, is considered. That’s by many to be the perfect sustainable product to put on your home.

Homeowners who install a metal roof immediately see a change in their energy bills.

In addition, this durable alternative can serve as an excellent platform. Especially for photovoltaic systems or to capture rainwater for irrigation.

Eco-friendly metal roofing products are now the #2 roofing product on the market. There are tons of choices, including unpainted or natural metal, pre-painted metal, and granular-coated metal. The wide variety of finishes, colors, textures and profiles give homeowners an opportunity to fit into any neighborhood, or stand out from the crowd.

When combined with other energy-saving components of a roof assembly and attic system, heat gain into the attic can be reduced by over 90 percent.

Metal roofs increase home value and lower long-term costs

According to national averages, homeowners typically recoup 85.9% of their metal roof’s cost. Homes in the Eastern states are known to recoup as much as 95.5%! On average, homes with a metal roof have up to 6% greater resale value compared to homes roofed with asphalt. In some states, like Texas, a metal roof can even lower your homeowner’s insurance by up to 35%.

As a bonus, U.S. homeowners must install an Energy Star rated metal roofing system. That’s before the end of the year. Then they will be eligible for up to $500 in tax credits.

For more information and a photo gallery of roofing options, homeowners can visit www.metalroofing.com