Sustainable homesteading is an increasingly popular option for many homeowners. You may be considering this lifestyle if you are interested in having your family become more sustainable for not only the environment, but also for yourself. This means creating gardening plots on smaller amounts of land, having a small animal stock, and other sustainable endeavors. Before you move forward with this, you will want to contact a roofing contractor. Here is how roofing can affect your sustainable homestead. 

Guttering and Rainwater Catch

One of the leading things you will need to help run your new sustainable homestead is rainwater. Many homeowners opt to have guttering that runs into a rainwater catch or several catches. This is not something that your guttering may be able to handle. For that reason, you should hire a roofing contractor. The contractor can look at your current guttering and make changes to enhance its rainwater collection, reduce debris in your guttering, and ensure the guttering is attached properly to the roof in order to avoid roofing damage and pulling.

Roofing Pitch for Optimal Water Collection

Rainwater collection can be used for your sustainable garden, to water animals, as greywater for various tasks around your homestead, and for emergency water sources if filtered properly. This means you will likely want to have the optimal water collection solution, especially if you are in a dry area where water collection can be vital. Your roofing contractor can inspect your roof and determine if the pitch is optimal for water collection. If it is not, the contractor can make suggestions for changing the pitch and reworking the roofing to accommodate it. 

Awnings and Patio Roofing Extensions

There are portions of your home and roof that can be extended to offer shade and protection for certain plants, animals, or simply as a covered area for more energy sustainable living. Your roofing contractor can install awnings, patio roofing extensions, or create roofing enclosures for pre-existing patios. They can also help with awning styles, retractable awnings, and roofing upgrades that work well with your sustainable plans and energy concerns. They can also discuss adding solar panels and roofing tiles to the roofing extension to make the most out of your roofing extensions. 

When you are ready to start creating your sustainable homestead, contact a local roofing contractor. They can inspect the home and help you decide which options may be ideal for you. They can also discuss roofing upgrades that may assist you in various aspects of your sustainable homesteading, water collection, and overall environmental living.