Metal Roofing: An Energy Efficient Roofing Option
In the United States, we spend approximately one-sixth of all electricity generated on air conditioning buildings.
One of the biggest improvements homeowners can make to save money on their homes is switching to energy-efficient roofing. A roof has the most significant exposure to the sun and extreme temperatures, which can lead to trapped heat in the summertime or lost heat in the winter if not properly insulated. However, metal roofing is among the most energy-efficient roofing options homeowners can buy.
Why Metal Roofing is the Most Energy-Efficient Roofing
In the United States, we spend approximately one-sixth of all electricity generated on air conditioning buildings. Roofing is a significant source of heat inside a building or home during the summer. Common roofing materials such as asphalt shingles absorb heat from the sun, which passes through to the attic or upper floors. Since heat also rises from lower floors, this heat trapped in the attic acts like a wool blanket all summer.
It is a common misconception that a metal roof will make cooling a home more difficult. A metal roof may feel hot to the touch, but that is energy savings in action. Metal roofing comes with different energy efficiency ratings based on the metal roof panel’s ability to reflect the sun’s heat. Energy Star rates energy-efficient roofing by the amount of light a roof reflects. An Energy Star roof must reflect at least 25% of the sun’s heat and maintain greater than 15% reflection after three years under normal wear conditions.
Metal roofing is commonly coated in reflective paint similar to road signs and protective gear, allowing even dark roofing colors to reflect at least 25% of sunlight. The most energy-efficient roofing option is a white-painted metal roof that can reflect over 60% of heat.
In the winter, metal roofing is also an improvement over shingles regarding energy efficiency. Shingles have many pieces and, therefore, many gaps that allow heat to escape from the house or cold winds to filter in. Typically, a metal roof is constructed using 36” wide panels, with fewer gaps and places for air to escape.
Ultimately, energy-efficient roofing must work well in all seasons, and metal is the only material that can provide that function.
Irish Roofing Company provides Scottsdale with roof inspection, installation, sealing and repair. We offer shingle services, tile roof services, flat roof services, roof cleaning, roof inspection, roof installation, leak repair, roof recovering, roof repair, roof sealing, skylight installation and replacement, and wood shake services for commercial and residential customers.
