Energy efficiency is on everyone’s mind today. No place around the house has as much an impact on a home’s overall energy efficiency than the roof. To save money on heating and cooling costs and to save energy resources you need to know all you can about energy efficient roofing options.
Roof Materials
Some are better at reducing conducive heat from the sun than others are. These are considered energy efficient roofing materials. These materials include shake, asphalt shingles or metal. Any of these are good choices when it comes to selecting something for a new roof.
Shake is a durable material and it handles strong winds and storms without sustaining a lot of damage. As an efficient material, it works to allow greater air circulation in the house. The only downside to shake is that they require a good deal of maintenance.
Asphalt shingles are one of the most popular types of roof materials. If you choose them in black or dark brown they are not among the least efficient types of roofing materials. This is because the dark colors draw in the heat from the sun and transfer it into the home. If you choose a lighter color however these shingles are easy to maintain, last a long time and are highly efficient. They do tend to get damaged in high winds, but they are relatively inexpensive to replace or fix.
One of the most efficient materials you can buy is metal roofing. With ENERGY STAR metal roofs, you can get a roof in any color you like. It will be highly resistant to damage or fires. Metal comes in a lot of great colors and it can be arranged to suit any roof shape or style. It also does not require a lot of work or maintenance. Choose from metal panels or tiles to get the style of roof you desire.
Roof Repairs
There are ways to make your next roof repair as energy friendly as possible. Simply choose from either a ballasted roof system or a green roof system.
A ballasted system can be laid over the existing roof deck after the old roofing is taken off. Natural stone is then applied to create a new and enhanced roof that is ready to keep the interior of the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
If you like the idea of being green in everything that you do why not add a green roof repair to your list of accomplishments? A green roof is simply a rooftop garden. A layer of vegetation or selected greenery is added to the top of the roof, making a green roof.
In theory, these can be used as materials for building a roof on a new house. But the next time your roof needs extensive repairs and you wish to be environmentally friendly think about using the two types discussed above. They are aesthetically pleasing, and they help lower energy costs.
Roof Replacements
There is an old rule that states you want to replace your existing roof material with the same material. This makes the process easier and the replacement work gets done faster. However, if you have had it with your overheating asphalt shingle roof you might want to reinvest your money on a metal tile roof.
Consult with your local roof repair professional expert for more information. Find out what they suggest for your green or energy efficient roof repair or replacement. There are lots of options to choose from and the one you choose is certain to save you money on heating and cooling bills for many years.
To read more on topics like this, check out the house category.
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