Homeowners in Las Vegas who want to work toward energy efficiency must carefully select their roofing materials, and many embrace metal as an option. Metal roofs are extremely durable, highly reflective, and have the interesting quality of not retaining their high reflectivity when they get dirty. They are made mostly from recycled materials and are completely recyclable at the end of their lifespan—a very desert-friendly characteristic. There's no maintenance required to keep metal roofing in good shape, and they have all kinds of fire resistance to keep homeowners worry-free in a part of the country that gets a lot of sun but also a fair amount of lightning.
An excellent choice for sustainable roofing in Las Vegas is tile roofing, which can be made of clay or concrete. Either choice handles extreme weather for the long term due to the weatherproof heft and solid construction of the tiles themselves. Tile roofs have a natural thermal mass, which helps maintain a steady temperature indoors by any means other than what would normally create the demand for artificial cooling. And if that weren't enough, the surface of a tile roof is unusually reflective, especially if light colors are used. Either tile choice is made from abundant natural materials, ensuring a minimal impact across its whole lifecycle. Not only do tile roofs easily last over a century, but they also turn out to be "cheap" over such a long term.
For a more contemporary method, green roofing systems can offer modern desert dwellings a sustainable alternative. Though typically found atop buildings in more temperate climates, innovations allow for living roofs in Las Vegas. Layer upon layer of hardy desert plants aid insulation; improve air quality; and reduce energy consumption of both the roofed structure and the neighborhood. Green roofs manage stormwater runoff; promote biodiversity; and add a wow factor, transforming what could be a “wow, that’s an unusual roof” to “hey, that earthy, living bit on top of the home is really a cool design feature.” Willing to invest in this cutting-edge, oasis-building alternative atop a contemporary home? That facing the challenge of environmental preservation might make your head spin, but remember: living roofs aren’t just tree-hugging magic — they work in our climate too.
