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Are you a homeowner looking for ways to reduce your electricity utility bills? Do you wish to enjoy cool summers and warm winters at the lowest possible cost? Metal roofing stands out as the most energy-efficient option. It is durable, recyclable, has a long lifespan, and saves energy costs throughout the year.
That’s just my opinion; you could explore other top energy-efficient roofing and choose one that best saves you energy. Other top energy-efficient roofs include solar shingles, cool-colored asphalt shingles, clay tile roofing, concrete tile roofing, reflective roof coatings, and slate roofing. Both metal and these specific asphalt shingle options are widely used in commercial roofing. Consider the options to find one that you like most based on your budget, needs, and preferences.
What type of roof is the most energy-efficient?
Metal Roofing
A unique feature of metal roofing that makes it the most energy-efficient type of roof among others is its reflective properties. Whether made of zinc, copper, steel, or tin, it can highly reflect away sun rays, bringing cooler temperatures to your home. You do not need an air conditioner during summer when you have the best form of metal roofing. This roofing makes your home more energy-efficient, saving you up to 40% of your monthly utility costs. The reflective property maintains your indoor temperature and increases your roof's lifespan. The metal expands and contracts less through reflection, implying more durability and less maintenance. What I love about metallic roofing is that you do not have to throw away your traditional roof and replace it with a new one. It can be easily recycled and reused on your roof. 100% of the metal roofing material is recycled and installed to the existing roof.
Solar Shingles
Have electricity bills become a burden? This relatively new technology can allow you to generate clean electricity for free. Solar shingles might not provide as much insulation as metallic roofs, but this can be compensated through the high energy it generates. Solar shingles lower your household electricity costs by 40% to 70%. The initial costs to buy and install roofing can be extremely high, but it is worth investing in the long term. Consider 13 and 63 watts of energy for every shingle you install and the number of them you will have on your roof. They could give an ROI of 70% through power generation and raise home resale value. The good thing about them is that they are built well enough to withstand heavy rains and winds. You do not have to worry about changes in climate when you have this roof.
Cool-Colored Asphalt Shingles
Cool-colored asphalt shingle roofing can be your best choice for a small budget. Like metal roofing, it applies the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) principle to cool down your home. It must be cool-colored to reflect away light and help you manage energy effectively. Although this roofing method is not as effective as metallic and solar-based roofing, I recommend this to anyone who wishes to have energy efficiency at low costs.
Clay Tile Roofing
Generations have used this form of roofing due to its high durability and amazing appeal. It may not be as reflective as metal and asphalt shingles, but it still gives your home natural insulation. Sometimes, people add reflective coatings around the roofs to increase their insulation. The tiles also allow airflow under them increasing their ability to cool indoor temperatures. Clay tile roofing will cool your homes during summer and spring and warm them during winter. A positive with the roofing is that it is resistant to fire, insects, and rot. This reduces your home maintenance costs and advances the longevity of your roofing.
Concrete Tile Roofing
Installing metal, asphalt, and concrete on your roof may not be enough to ensure energy efficiency for your home. Reflective roof coatings advance your energy efficiency by bouncing away sunlight to reduce heating absorption in your house. If you find it too expensive to install an entirely new roof for your house, consider adding these coatings to save on your cooling costs.
Reflective Roof Coatings
These innovative devices with unique designs act as hoods on the gutters with a designated opening to let water through. They are usually installed under your shingles attached to the fascia and extended past your gutters' outer edge before curving back in. They need professional installation and can be more costly than other options.
Slate roofing
It is a premium form of roofing valued for its nice appearance, durability, and natural energy efficiency properties. Installing such a roof is expensive but worth it once installed. It is highly long-lasting, and known to last for over 100 years. Moreover, its dense material allows it to cool your home during hot summers and retain most indoor heat during winters. During summer, hot air is not allowed into your house and less is lost in winter. Enjoy low utility costs for a century by installing a slate roofing.
Are they more expensive?
Every option we have discussed has varied costs depending on the type of material. Metal, solar shingles, and slate roofing are highly expensive during installation compared to other methods like clay tiles and asphalt shingles. Other options such as renovations e.g., Metal roofing recycling are a bit affordable.
Upon installation, the roofings reduce your utility bills and require minimal maintenance. Some methods like solar shingles will actually assure you a huge return on investment and home value addition. This balances the equation as all expenses incurred are recovered through reduced bills.
Installing an energy-efficient roof saves you an average of 7 to 15 percent of your utility bills, and have an annual savings of up to $300 to $500. Your HVAC does not have to be overused to cool your home during spring and summer. Also, you don’t need too much warming costs during the winter.
Before you do any roof installation, be sure to weigh your initial investment against what you expect to save in the long run. In this case, be sure to include factors such as your current budget and the longevity of the roof to find the most cost-effective option.
How Does Energy-Efficient Roofing Help to Decrease Energy Bills?
Energy-efficient roofs reduce heat conduction on your house roofs by increasing sunlight reflection during hot summers. You do not need to invest too much money in installing and maintaining HVAC systems. You also save on high utility costs paid to run your HVAC during high temperatures, so your home saves overall energy costs.
The roofs also maintain warm conditions by retaining house warmth during winter. Therefore, you will not need to pay high electricity bills to warm your house. This results in low energy consumption, hence decreased electricity bills.
Do Energy-Efficient Roofs Really Save You Money?
Through reduced energy consumption, increased roof lifespan, and decreased energy bills, roofs save you a lot of money. The initial investment may be high for many choice roofing methods, but it will be worth it in the end. If you have a limited budget, just go for the cheaper option and save more on utility bills. You do not need to have trouble paying energy bills, yet there are cheap options like asphalt roofing to consider.
Furthermore, if your home has old metal roofing that makes it unattractive, recycle the entire roof and reinstall it. This will save you more money than buying a new roof.
Conclusion
Metal roofing will always stand out among all the other types due to its reflective nature, durability, cost savings, and ability to entirely recycle. However, this does not restrict you from choosing a more affordable, luxurious, and value-adding type of roofing. The point is to save energy costs and sort out utility issues throughout the year.
You could use a solar shingle roofing option to increase your home value or consider a clay tile option to save on your limited budget. You can go ahead and make an informed decision on how to have more sustainable and energy-efficient homes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A commercial roof can last anywhere from 10 to 40 years, with the biggest factor being the material used. Metal roofs are the most durable, lasting 40-60 years, while single-ply membranes like EPDM and TPO last 20-35 years. Other materials like modified bitumen and asphalt fall somewhere in between. Regular maintenance is also key to extending a roof’s lifespan. By having your roof inspected by a professional and promptly addressing any problems, you can help ensure it reaches its full potential.
