Alternative Roofing Projects

Living Roof

• Install a living roof -- also called a "green roof" -- if you live in a mild or moderate climate and like the idea of your house sporting a garden instead of a conventional roof. Living roofs are essentially blankets of greenery that protect your home the way a regular roof would, while offering the added benefits of nourishing wildlife and insulating your home. They require special infrastructure and thus tend to be heavier and pricier than conventional roofs, so keep your budget in mind when considering a living-roof project.

Solar Panels

• Reduce your reliance on the electrical grid by installing solar panels -- or cutting-edge photovoltaic shingles -- on your roof. A solar-energy roofing project is well suited to homes located in sunny areas like Arizona and Hawaii. Such projects can range from putting up a single solar panel on an existing roof to designing a large-scale rooftop solar-panel array to power a new home. Some regions offer tax incentives for installing solar panels. You may even be able to sell excess power back to your regional electrical grid.

Recycled Tiles

• Replace your conventional roofing tiles with recycled tiles -- that is, tiles made from recycled materials -- if you need to redo your roof entirely and want a "green" material. Recycled tiles offer an aesthetic advantage over other alternative roofing materials like thatch and living roofs because they will not stick out in a neighborhood with conventional roofs. Recycled tiles vary in size, color, price and material, from recycled-metal tiles to clay tiles that were removed from a condemned home's roof.

Thatch

• Consider crowning your home with thatch if you live in an area that allows this material for roofing. Putting up a thatch roof requires different skills than putting on a conventional roof because thatch roofs are comprised primarily of bundles of dried plant material. The specific type of plant you use will depend upon your climate and what is available in your area. Thatch is particularly well suited for use on traditional cottages, country homes, and rustic retreats because it has such a long history of use and boasts a distinctively rustic appearance.