Green offices have become more than just a trend. Many companies today look for ways to incorporate sustainability into their business model, from their day-to-day operations to their physical office space. Apart from building a positive brand image for being eco-friendly, green initiatives also reduce the energy consumption of the office, leading to lower expenses.
Many offices follow simple ways to reduce their impact on the environment. Going paperless, growing office plants, and maximizing natural light are some of the common green practices in workplaces.
But if you really want to cut down your energy expenses, you have to start from the construction of your office space. Sustainable building materials create an energy-efficient workplace while boosting your reputation as an environmentally conscious company.
Below are some green roofing materials that are widely used for commercial spaces.
- Metal
Metal roofing solutions come in a variety of materials, including steel, aluminum, and copper, among others. Sustainable metal roofs are often made from recycled or reclaimed materials, such as used beverage cans or galvanized iron sheets.
Metal roofs reflect sunlight away from the building, reducing the amount of heat absorbed by the structure. However, your building needs good ventilation and proper insulation for the roof to be energy-efficient.
Metals are highly durable, regardless of the material. They won’t easily crack or warp, lasting you years. They’re also recycable, so you won’t have to worry about the disposal if you’re planning on replacing the roof.
- Rubber
The U.S. has a waste tire problem. Every year, the country’s automotive industry produces 246 million used tires. Rubber doesn’t degrade, making it difficult to dispose of. It’s also not advisable to let discarded tires sit in backyards or landfills because they’ll attract mosquitoes and other disease-carrying animals and insects.
Using rubber roofing materials recycled from waste tires already helps the environment. But these also help you reduce your environmental impact more because of their energy-efficiency.
Ethylene propylene diene methylene (EPDM) is a synthetic rubber used for low-sloped and flat commercial roofs. It’s resistant to sunlight and extremely durable, providing a sustainable roofing solution for your workplace.
- Spray Polyurethane Foam
Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is a widely used insulation material. It has a high R-value, or resistance to conductive heat transfer, reducing the amount of heat absorbed by the building.
SPF is sprayed onto an existing roof, creating an impenetrable layer that reflects sunlight. The foam comes in white, so it can be a cool roof. Cool roofs have light colors, which means they absorb less heat.
- Solar Panels
Solar roofing allows you to generate your own energy by harnessing the sun’s power. It enables your commercial building to become self-sustaining. Although they require a sizable investment in the beginning, solar panels save companies a significant amount of money each month on electricity.
Solar panels generally last around 25 to 30 years at peak capacity before their quality and performance start declining.
Sustainability initiatives don’t stop with eco-friendly building materials. Continue to learn about sustainability and how you can apply it to your workplace. Hold regular sessions about sustainable practices to encourage eco-friendly habits among your employees. This will help you more easily embrace green workplace practices, helping secure the future of your business.