With energy costs at record highs and more emphasis on protecting the environment than ever before, it’s no surprise that homeowners are choosing energy-efficient building materials whenever possible. When you choose metal roofing, you save in many ways. In addition to probably being the last roof your home will ever need and improving the quality of your home, metal roofing saves you big on your cooling bill too.
For a solid, beautiful and long-lasting roof for your home, cool metal roofing is a smart choice. And it’s available in a variety of colors, textures and designs for every application. When you make the best choices, you could save 40 percent or more on your annual energy costs. And who wouldn’t want that?
Emissive, Reflective Metal Roofing Saves
Asphalt roofing traps heat, but metal roofing reflects the powerful energy of the sun away from your home. When the right pigments are added to the reflective surface, a metal roof can actually emit the heat radiantly, working even better to keep the inside of your home cool.
Here’s a bit more detail:
Without a metal roof, your home absorbs energy that heats your attic or the upper areas of your home. Exactly how much it absorbs depends on what kind of roof you have and how the home is designed.
A simple unpainted metal roof can reflect away much of the sun’s radiation, keeping it from heating your home. That means your air conditioner works less and your home stays cooler.
Painted or granular-coated metal roofs can actually re-emit the small amount of solar radiation that an unpainted metal roof absorbs. So-called remissive coatings dramatically improve efficiency while also improving the look of the product and therefore your home.
In general lighter colored paints and pigments do a better job reflecting and re-emitting than darker ones.
Installation Makes A Real Difference
Proper installation of metal roofing by trained professional can make a real difference in energy-efficiency. Metal roofing can be installed atop a system that raises it slightly above the existing roof deck, allowing for an air space from which heated air can escape, further lower the transmission of heat into the home.
Some types of sheet metal roofing are very easy to install, and amateurs are often tempted to install it themselves. But when homeowners choose low-quality metal roofing products with inferior coatings, energy efficiency is reduced. And the energy savings and environmental benefit are further reduced when improper installation further compromises the already-substandard material.
Recycled Materials And Less Waste Too
Ever better, metal roofing has other environmental benefits. Most metal roofing systems are made from recycled materials, saving metals from landfills. And since they last for decades, there’s less material to go in landfills later too.
In many cases, it’s possible to install new metal roofing over old asphalt shingles, meaning they don’t have to be taken off and disposed of in a landfill either, once again reducing waste that pollutes the environment.
Metal roofing sounds better the more you think about it, doesn’t it?
For many homeowners, it’s hard to see a downside to energy-efficient metal roofing. While it may cost as much as 30 percent more to install, it last two to four times as long as asphalt shingles and has many positive environmental impacts, including cooling cost savings.
If you’re ready to move up to metal roofing, we’re ready to help. Simply contact us now for more information on how we can improve the look, function, durability, weather resistance and energy efficiency of your home with metal roofing. It could be the best decision you ever make for your home.