There are many natural roofing materials available including thatch, wood shakes, clay tiles, slate, and metal. Depending on local availability, some materials are more cost effective than others.
Thatch: Thatching is a technique for binding overlapping plant material to create a weatherproof roof layer. It has a rich history where professional thatchers passed down their techniques generation after generation. It can be done with various materials such as straw, water reed, sedge, rushes, palm, and heather. In areas like Central America where palms are abundant, thatching can be an inexpensive roofing material, although care must be taken to prevent roof rot in hot humid regions. It is naturally weather-resistant, insulative—both acoustically and thermally, and recyclable. Thatch roofs need to be re-thatched every 10-30 years, depending on material type. When considering thatch, it is important to determine appropriate thatch material for climate requirements, flammability, and the amount of labor and skill available.
Wood Shakes: Also known as shingles, this is another overlapping roof material made from split logs, commonly made from cedar or pine, with a typical life of 30 years. It can be a very sustainable roofing material if the shakes aren’t made from old growth trees.
Metal: Lightweight, durable materials that are typically made from mostly recycled stock. Sheeting comes in a variety of profiles; standing seam metal roofs are perfect for thin-film solar applications.
Image courtesy of Tyler Walter
Clay Tiles: Tiles are heavy but durable. They typically last around 50-100 years or more, and can be produced locally in a variety of colors and profiles.
Slate: This is the heaviest, most expensive, and longest lasting natural roof material choice with an expected life of 200 years. It is also the least sustainable roofing material, as it is natural rock that is extracted from the earth and not renewable.
