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Energy Efficient Roofs

Your home’s roof is the biggest defense from the elements and should be maintained properly to ensure its effectiveness, strength, and longevity. Your roof will lose some of these qualities as it ages which can affect the entire house. A damaged roof, old roof, or low quality roofing materials can cause your house’s temperature to be higher in the summer and harder to keep heat in during the winter. The best way to prevent this is by installing an energy efficient roof. Let’s discuss what roofing materials work best and what steps you can take to make sure your roof is energy efficient and saves you money.

How Does An Energy Efficient Roof Save Money?

Heating and cooling costs are one of the biggest monthly expenses to maintain a comfortable house. Most people know that drafty doors and windows lead to AC and Heating leaks and can be remedied with new caulking or window and door replacement. However, we don’t often think about our roof as being an issue when it comes to utility costs. An energy efficient roof can cut your home’s energy consumption costs by as much as 20 to 30% depending on your home’s size. To make this a bit more simple to understand; think of your roof as if it were a hat. You wear a hat when it’s hot to provide shade and keep you cooler. You also wear a hat in winter to stay warm. An old hat or one made of the wrong material will not protect you and this goes the same for your roof.

Save money with an energy efficient roof!

Roof Material

3D image of a shingle roof and insulating layers beneath

3D rendering of a shingle roof and layers beneath

Different roof materials and colors can affect the efficiency of your roof. You want to install a material that will reflect the sun’s UV rays away from the house to decrease the amount of heat absorbed by the house. Less heat means you won’t need to blast the air conditioning constantly which in turn lowers your electricity bill. The color of your roof also affects how much heat is absorbed. Dark colors absorb heat and light colors reflect heat. Talk to your local roofers to decide what roof material and color is best for you and the area you live in. Southern states want to redirect heat while Northern states may want to absorb more heat during the winter. A roofer near you will be able to help you through this process.

Image of a residential home that had a buckskin standing seam metal roof replacement

Metal Roof

A metal roof is durable, long lasting, and highly reflective, making it one of the most energy efficient roofing materials there is. A light colored metal roof will reflect even more UV rays than a darker roof.

Image of multiple color asphalt shingles for roofing

Asphalt Shingles

An asphalt shingle roof is more affordable than a metal roof and new shingles come in several colors now. Older shingles were usually a dark or gray color that absorbed a lot of heat. New advances in manufacturing shingles have also made them stronger and infused reflective granules to reflect sunlight.

Image of clay tile roofing material in different colors

Clay Tiles

Glazed clay tiles can reflect up to 75% of sunlight that hits it. Clay tiles are great in warm and hot climates but are nor recommended for areas that have freezing temperatures. Snow and ice will break down clay tiles and they’ll need to be repaired or replaced frequently.

Attic Preparation

Roofing material alone will not be enough to greatly lower your energy costs if your attic hasn’t been properly prepared. Your attic can get well over 150 degrees in warm climates. That excess heat will increase your home’s temperature and raise your electricity consumption.

Image of a construction worker installing attic insulation
Image of spray insulation inside a home attic

Insulation

Insulation alone can reduce your energy costs by 10%. Insulation will help lower the amount of external heat entering the house. It also prevents air conditioned and heated air within the house from escaping.

Turbine Fan for roof ventilation

Ventilation

Ventilation allows airflow within the attic. Hot air will be released through exhausts like turbine fans and cool air will come in through intakes. It also prevents moisture buildup that can lead to rot.

The combination of insulation, ventilation, and an energy efficient roof is the best way to considerably lower your energy costs. Call Kresta Roofing today to schedule a free inspection and discuss what roofing materials are best for your home.

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