Phase out use of asphalt shingles

Re: Windstorm claims swamp insurers, by Brian Cross, March 15.

Why do we still use asphalt shingles in Canada? We know they’re cheaper, but that’s where it ends.

They’re bad for the environment, not very durable and only last approximately 10-15 years at best.

Once removed, they’re dumped at the landfill. Our landfills are filling up with these shingles and they take hundreds of years to decompose.

They’re also a fire hazard. During the recent fire disaster in Fort McMurray, it was determined that a lot of those houses caught fire from the asphalt roof shingles.

Canada and Ontario should upgrade building codes and phase asphalt shingles out to move into line with other countries where the roof lasts as long as the house.