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The Benefits of Energy-Efficient Roofing Options

In today’s society, everyone is looking to ‘go green’ and save money at any opportunity that they can.

Energy-Efficient roofing is becoming more and more popular among roofing contractors and customers as they gain a lot of benefits that you may not be aware of in a complete sense.

Energy-Efficient roofs lessen the need for homeowners to crank their AC so high all throughout the Summer and can actually lessen the surface temperature of the roof by up to 40 degrees.

Some energy-efficient roofs have a special coating and certain types of materials in certain areas could qualify you for tax credits that would save you even more money.

As the benefits start to add up, let’s take a look specifically at what kind of energy-efficient roofing options there are and then we’ll dig into more information about the benefits that these roofs give you.

Types of Energy-Efficient Roofs

There are a lot of different unique energy-efficient roofs that consumers can install at their house. Here are some of the most frequent ones that you will see on the marketplace; but keep in mind that this is a new industry where innovation is happening quickly!

Cool Roofs

The most common energy-efficient roof that is gaining popularity today are cool roofs. These ‘cool roofs’ come in two forms – you could get a brand new roof installed that falls under the category of ‘cool roofs’ or you could simply add coating to your existing roof which is a reflective substance and usually is a white color.

Cool roofs work via reflective pigments so that the roofs’ color and makeup actually turn away the sun’s rays. If you live somewhere in the South in states like Texas, Arkansas, or Oklahoma, this type of roofing is absolutely amazing because it is able to keep out the heat quite well. On the flip side, this roofing is not the best at keeping out cooler temperatures, which isn’t as big of an issue in Southern states.

The level of insulation just isn’t there in cool roofs up to the standard that asphalt or slate roofs provide, so be sure that you are looking for a cool roof in an appropriate region.

Metal Roofing

Metal Roofing can be considered as energy-efficient roofing when it has roof coating applied to it. The basic principles are the same as cool roofing. One reason that some people go with metal roofing is because it lasts much longer than a traditional shingle roof set up.

This is another roof type that will give a low level of insulation and protection from cold temperatures, so be careful as to what climate you are in. If you live in the Northern U.S., this is probably not going to be a very popular choice.

Tile Roofing

Many people appreciate the different options that tile roofing allows for them as homeowners looking for an energy-efficient roof. You can choose between various different colors and you can use a special coating to make sure you are getting the most bang for your buck when it comes to saving on energy costs.

Green Roofing

Green Roofing might be the most interesting way to get an energy-efficient roof on your building. Roofing contractors are seeing this option more and more especially as corporate and apartment buildings start to adopt green roofing.

This unique concept features roofing with plants. You can literally have an entire layer of vegetation on the rooftop or you can cover certain sections in this manner. These systems do amazing things for your building including offering water protection, drainage, insulation, and adding a unique concept to your building.

While this is not going to be a popular residential offering in the near future, people who have large properties and a unique mindset will probably start to adopt this more and more as the benefits are shown over time.

Solar Roofing

This is another ‘futuristic’ option that is seeing more adoption as technology improves. Solar roofing allows for you to generate renewable energy which will save you a ton of money in the long run. Solar shingles have become quite popular as well because of their ‘traditional’ look as opposed to a cartoonish large solar panel set up as you may be imagining.

Now that you know all about the different types of energy-efficient roofing options that are out there, let’s dive into the benefits that they bring, regardless of your exact house or commercial building set up.

The Benefits of Having an Energy-Efficient Roof

The idea of having an energy-efficient roof isn’t limited to just one area. There are plenty of different ways these futuristic roofs can help you out, so let’s dive in right away!

Cut Down on Energy Costs

This is probably the most obvious answer for most building owners and the first thing that people will want to know about. How much money can an energy-efficient roof save me?

Well, estimates vary and your unique situation will almost certainly be different than everyone else’s. However, most studies point to saving as much as 10-15% off of your regular costs during peak cooling periods.

You’re also getting a hidden benefit of allowing a little bit less stress on your HVAC systems during those unbearable heat waves which can be a true benefit when your air conditioning systems are lasting years longer than they used to.

Overall, money is the biggest thing on people’s minds when it comes to their roof – but it’s not the only benefit by any means.

Better Temperature Control

As noted above, these energy-efficient roofs are going to keep your house cooler simply by reflecting more of the sun’s rays. This reduces the temperature of the surface of your roof by up to 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit.

This is an overall positive for your house or commercial building as it relieves stress on many different systems.

Improved Ventilation

While these roofs certainly block out initial sunlight, they also allow for better ventilation for your property as well. Many homeowners focus on how well their windows and doors are insulated to keep their house cool in the South, but your roof can allow for even more ventilation than either the windows or doors at all.

Having an energy-efficient roof will allow moisture out and avoid harmful build-ups of mildew or mold which will weaken your home’s roof in the long run.

Federal Tax Credits

Back to the financial side of things, some metal or asphalt roofs may qualify for a $500 or 10% tax credit as long as they are ENERGY STAR-certified and have pigmented coatings or cooling granules depending on whether your roof is metal or asphalt respectively.

Solar roofing is actually available for more tax credits than these ‘regular’ energy-efficient roofs. Moving forward, most solar roofs will be eligible for a 22% tax credit so make sure to ask your roofing contractor if your roof will apply so that you can save as much money as possible!

Installing an Energy-Efficient Roof

The benefits of an energy-efficient roof can save you money, save the environment, and lessen the workload on your HVAC systems. They’re a great idea for those who need a new roof and want to get the best deal possible as they install their new roof!

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