When we think about “sustainable” or “green,” we tend to focus on the environmental aspects of sustainability, including the key natural resources of energy, air, water and materials. But the best definitions of sustainability include two additional principles. First, true sustainability must make economic sense. That’s why sustainable rating programs like RoofPoint emphasize important economic features of roofing systems such as durability, installation quality and long-term maintenance. Second, beyond the obvious environmental and economic aspects of sustainability, all of these “green” things must be viewed in a human and social context. After all, the whole purpose of sustainable development is to make the world a better place for people — both the present and future generations.
Of course, we need to be good stewards of our natural resources to build sustainable roofs, and we need to make these roofs economically efficient over the long term. We also need to be sure the health and safety of both building occupants and roofing workers are assured. There are many ways we can contribute to “people sustainability” in roofing projects. Some examples of people-friendly roofing strategies that also make solid economic and environmental sense include: