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Roofing Materials

Last Updated: 06/06/24
Roofing Materials

A building's roof system and its finished roofing materials shield a structure's interior from natural elements. Roofing systems generally fall into two general categories: 1) high-sloped or "pitched" roofs (residential) and 2) low-sloped or flat roofs (commercial). These two types of systems generally are constructed differently and use different materials, although some materials are used for both residential and commercial systems. EPA's designation specifically covers roofing materials containing steel, aluminum, fiber, rubber, plastic or plastic composites, and cement.

Product Details

To the maximum extent practicable, federal agencies are required to buy sustainable products, which are products that meet the purchasing program(s) listed below.

If there is more than one program listed below, agencies are directed to prioritize multi-attribute products, which meet statutory purchasing program requirements (asterisk) and one or more required Environmental Protection Agency purchasing programs.

Review our frequently asked questions for more information.

Product Type

Procurement Info

Where to Buy

Aluminum
  • CPG CPG opens in new window asterisk
  • (20-90% recovered aluminum; including 20-90% postconsumer content)
Concrete
  • CPG CPG opens in new window asterisk
  • (See EPA guidance at www.epa.gov/cpg)
Fiber
  • CPG CPG opens in new window asterisk
  • (50-100% recovered fiber or fiber composite; including 50-100% postconsumer content)
Plastic/Composites
  • CPG CPG opens in new window asterisk
  • (100% postconsumer plastic or plastic/rubber composite)
Rubber
  • CPG CPG opens in new window asterisk
  • (100% recovered rubber; including 12-100% postconsumer content)
Steel
  • CPG CPG opens in new window asterisk
  • (See EPA guidance at www.epa.gov/cpg)
Wood/Composites
  • CPG CPG opens in new window asterisk
  • (100% recovered wood/plastic composite)
Life Cycle Cost Savings

Life Cycle Costing (LCC) aims to quantify the financial impact of a product over its entire life cycle to assist consumers in making decisions that will save them money over the long term.

GSA's Green Proving Groundopens in new window found an 8 - 10% energy savings for vacuum insulated roofing panels, compared to code-compliant roofs. Savings for R-50 panels can be greatest in single-story buildings in extreme climates, such as those found in Alaska (subartic) or Arizona (hot-humid). GPG recommends deploying vacuum insulated panels where R-50 is required and installing conventional insulation necessitates costly alterations.

Guiding Principles
Contributes to meeting The Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings