Layering roofing has been a way to save time and a little bit of money when you need to replace your roof. However, layering roofing can void shingle warrantees, add excessive weight to the structure of your house, and diminish the overall life of the roof.

Before considering layering roofing over an existing roof, check your local building codes. Many restrict the amount of times you can layer the roofing, so chances are if your roof already has more than one layer of roofing, you're ineligible.

If you only have a single layer of roofing currently, and your home is fairly new, structurally the home will probably withstand the extra weight.

Roll roofing is the perfect material for the novice roofer who wishes to finish a shed or porch roof with a slight slope or flat roof. Produced in large rolls that are cut and nailed into place, installation is incredibly simple and can be completed quickly.

  Never install roll roofing unless it is at least 50 degrees to prevent cracking.

The heat will make the roll roofing easy to work with, so leave it on the roof for a few hours to warm up.

While you are waiting, install a drip edge all around the perimeter of the roof to prevent the water from working underneath the edge of the roofing. Normally made of plastic, a drip edge will further protect your roof and give it a finished edge. 
 
 

Recycled plastic lumber is made from plastic bottles and other plastic waste. While many people think of plastic as synonymous with disposable, plastic lumber is surprisingly hardy and highly prized for marine applications.

The largest advantage of plastic lumber is that it won't rot or absorb water and is highly resistant to insect damage. This makes it perfect for marine and other water applications, where the lumber is further prized by its ability to resist shock. It also eliminates the need to treat the lumber, unlike treated wood, which uses toxic chemicals to impart the same qualities that plastic naturally has.

Reclaimed hardwood flooring is made from lumber that used to be in old barns, factories, and houses. From an environmental standpoint, saving wood that would be thrown away during demolition is a commendable act. However, to dismiss reclaimed hardwood flooring as another green material would be a mistake: the beauty and quality of the wood to make this flooring is unparallel.

To make reclaimed flooring, wood is dried and remilled into tongue and groove or traditional flooring.


      Here's a video featuring Master Carpenter Norm Abram of This Old House as he explains how to choose reclaimed wood flooring.


This wood can easily be 75 years old, with slow growth patterns and at widths that cannot often be found in the current building marketplace. The density and stability of the wood also makes it highly attractive to designers.

When I decided to remodel my kitchen, recycled glass tile was one of the materials I considered using. While I ultimately chose another material, recycled glass tile has become popular with architects and homeowners who are drawn to its unique aesthetic.

It's difficult to say exactly how environmentally sensitive recycled glass tile is when you consider that the only environmental benefit is that it uses recycled materials. The glass must be melted to be used, a process that expends tremendous amounts of energy. And while it's good to keep consumer waste out of landfills, glass can be recycled into many different things, not just tiles.

If you are considering replacing your garage doors, you may be surprised by the variety of doors available to you.

Made out of metal, wood, composite, or fiberglass and with four different types to choose from, there are over a dozen combinations to consider before making a choice.

Types of Garage Doors

Roller

This type of garage door is the most space efficient type, but many homeowners shun roller doors because of their industrial appearance. Made out of thin aluminium strips, this garage door rolls up into a drum and is often automated when installed.
 

Sectional

Sectional garage doors are the most popular type of garage doors. The door is normally made of wood or metal and is divided into several horizontal sections. The largest advantage of this type of door is its ability to maintain a traditional appearance without having to swing out to open.

 

While fiberglass insulation remains popular, homeowners should consider cellulose insulation for their next home improvement project. Not only is cellulose insulation a sustainable material, but it can save up to one fifth of the energy costs when compared to fiberglass. And although it may be more difficult to install, cellulose insulation offers several advantages that make it worth a look.

Image Courtesy Cellulose.org

R-value is King

Although cellulose insulation has a very slight advantage in R-value per square inch of material when compared to fiberglass, the real gains go beyond a single number. Perhaps the largest advantage of cellulose insulation is its ability to eliminate gaps between the insulation and wall. These gaps are often a large source of energy loss, and one that fiberglass insulation cannot easily address.

In fact, some studies indicate that cellulose insulation can prevent 20% more energy loss than fiberglass due to its superior ability to reduce air infiltration.