As sustainable construction becomes more than a trend and evolves into a necessity, builders, architects, and homeowners are seeking innovative ways to reduce environmental impact—starting from the top. One of the most promising innovations in eco-friendly roofing is the use of reclaimed shingle materials. These roofing products, sourced from recycled waste streams, offer a second life to materials that would otherwise end up in landfills.
In this article, we explore how reclaimed shingles are made, their performance in real-world conditions, their role in circular construction, and why they’re becoming a popular choice for green building projects.
♻️ What Are Reclaimed Shingle Materials?
Reclaimed shingles are roofing materials created from recycled content, including:
Post-consumer asphalt roofing waste
Recycled plastic
Reclaimed wood fibres
Rubber from old tyres
Industrial scrap materials
These materials are processed, treated, and re-engineered to form new, high-performance roofing shingles that meet durability, safety, and aesthetic standards—often indistinguishable from their virgin-material counterparts.
🌍 Why Use Reclaimed Shingles?
✅ 1. Diverting Waste from Landfills
Roofing waste is a massive contributor to landfill volume. In countries like the U.S., over 11 million tons of asphalt shingle waste are generated annually. Reclaiming these materials prevents thousands of tonnes of waste from being dumped or incinerated.
✅ 2. Lower Carbon Footprint
Producing new shingles from raw materials (like petroleum-based asphalt or mined minerals) is energy-intensive. In contrast, using recycled content reduces:
Raw material extraction
Manufacturing emissions
Transportation energy
✅ 3. Supporting Circular Construction
Reclaimed shingles align with the circular economy model by closing the loop between consumption and waste. They enable construction projects to:
Earn LEED or IGBC points
Support Cradle-to-Cradle building principles
Reduce dependency on virgin materials
✅ 4. Competitive Performance
Many reclaimed shingles offer:
25–50 year warranties
Fire and impact resistance
UV protection
Aesthetic variety, from rustic wood-look to contemporary finishes
🛠️ How Are Reclaimed Shingles Manufactured?
Material Collection
Old roofing shingles, plastic containers, tyres, and wood scrap are collected from waste streams, demolition sites, or recycling plants.Processing & Separation
The waste is cleaned, sorted, shredded, and treated to remove contaminants.Remanufacturing
Materials are bonded with resins or binders and compressed into new shingles using moulds and curing techniques.Quality Control
Final shingles are tested for strength, fire resistance, colour retention, and water penetration resistance before packaging.
🌡️ Do Reclaimed Shingles Work in Hot, Humid Climates?
Yes—if properly manufactured, reclaimed shingles can be highly durable and weather-resistant, even in tropical regions like Kerala, Goa, or coastal Maharashtra. Key features to look for include:
Algae-resistant granules
High thermal stability
Waterproof coatings
UV-blocking layers
Some variants are also available with cool roof properties, further reducing energy use in hot climates.
🏆 Green Building Certifications & Reclaimed Roofing
Reclaimed shingles can contribute to several sustainability certification frameworks:
LEED (U.S.):
Materials & Resources: Recycled content credits
Waste Management: Construction waste diversion
IGBC (India):
Green Building Materials & Resources
Sustainable Building Materials with Recycled Content
Cradle-to-Cradle Certification:
Some reclaimed shingles now come with Cradle-to-Cradle Certified™ Silver or Gold status, indicating full lifecycle accountability.
🧱 Aesthetic Appeal Meets Eco-Function
Reclaimed shingles are not only green—they’re gorgeous. Available in styles such as:
Rustic shakes (great for cottages or traditional architecture)
Slate-look composites (ideal for luxury villas)
Contemporary flat textures (for modern builds)
Many brands now offer 3D textures, colour blends, and matte finishes that blend beautifully with various architectural styles.
🔗 Sustainable Roofing Solutions by Scaffs India
At Scaffs India, we stay ahead of roofing trends that promote performance and sustainability. Whether you’re looking for reclaimed-content shingles, algae-resistant solutions, or LEED-compliant roofing materials, we’re ready to help you choose the right fit for your project.
Explore:
🏁 Final Thoughts
Using reclaimed shingle materials isn’t just about saving the planet—it’s about building a smarter, more resilient future. These shingles offer excellent performance, aesthetics, and eco-benefits that align with the needs of modern architecture.
Ready to build a greener roof from yesterday’s waste?
Reclaimed shingles prove that beauty, strength, and sustainability can coexist—right above your head.