When people think of eco-friendly roofing, they often imagine solar panels or green roofs. But even traditional materials like asphalt shingles, metal, rubber, or SBS flat roofs can be evaluated for their environmental impact.

The Key Factors in Roof Sustainability

• Lifespan: Shorter life = more replacements.
• Recyclability: How much can be reused?
• Waste impact: How much goes to landfill at end-of-life?
• Treatment potential: Can service life be extended?

👉 Want to learn how to make your current roof more sustainable?
Book a free eco-friendly roof consultation →

Asphalt Shingles

• Lifespan in Edmonton: 15–20 years (3-tab); 20–30 years (architectural); 25–30 years (luxury)
• Recyclability: Limited — most end up in landfill
• Waste Impact: Very high. Asphalt shingles are among the largest contributors to landfill construction waste in Alberta.

➡️ Verdict: Affordable up front, but the least eco-friendly option due to short lifespan and landfill burden.

Metal Roofing

• Lifespan: 40–60 years
• Recyclability: Excellent — fully recyclable and often made with recycled content
• Waste Impact: Low, since it lasts long and rarely ends up in landfill

➡️ Verdict: Among the most sustainable choices, though it comes with a higher initial cost.

Rubber / Composite Shingles

• Lifespan: 35–50 years
• Recyclability: Moderate — depends on manufacturer facilities
• Waste Impact: Lower than asphalt due to recycled content and long service life

➡️ Verdict: A good eco-friendly balance between durability and use of recycled material.

SBS Torch-On Flat Roofs

• Lifespan: 15–20 years untreated
• Recyclability: Very limited
• Waste Impact: High, especially for large commercial roofs

➡️ Verdict: Not eco-friendly without intervention, but lifespan can be extended significantly with treatment.

👉 See how GoNano extends SBS roof life.

Environmental Benefits of GoNano Treatments

A common question is: “If GoNano is a chemical treatment, is it really eco-friendly?”

Why GoNano Is a Green Option

• Environmentally safe formula: Low VOC, no toxic runoff
• Safe for people, pets, and plants: Independently tested, non-toxic once applied
• Minimal resource use: No tear-off or raw material manufacturing needed
• Waste reduction: Extending a roof by 10 years can prevent 5–10 tonnes of shingles per home from going to landfill
• Lower carbon footprint: Avoiding early replacements reduces energy and emissions tied to new materials and installation

🌍 In this sense, the greenest roof is often the one you already have — if it can be maintained effectively. GoNano provides a way to achieve that.

Final Thoughts

An eco-friendly roof isn’t just about the material you choose. It’s about:

• How long it lasts
• How much waste it creates when replaced
• How sustainable the maintenance practices are along the way

Quick Comparison

• Asphalt shingles: Cheapest but most wasteful
• Metal: Durable and recyclable
• Rubber/composite: Durable with recycled content
• SBS torch-on: Common but waste-heavy unless treated
• GoNano treatment: Extends the life of all of the above, reducing waste and lowering the environmental footprint

At Exceptional Surfaces Edmonton Ltd., we help homeowners and property managers make roofs more sustainable by keeping them in service longer. It’s one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to go green.

Get your free eco-friendly roof quote →