When you rely on your home to provide you with comfort and shelter, you can't take any risks with its ability to keep water outdoors where it belongs. Great roofing is instrumental in the fight against the elements, because it helps to create the kind of environment you need to keep your home and family safe. Unfortunately, there are many homes that don't have strong, reliable roofs, which can cause problems in the long run. On this website, check out excellent ways to spot roofing problems and resolve them quickly. After all, your home is your most valuable asset, so protect it now.
Do you think your roof is cool? Not as in hip and trendy. Instead, the term "cool roof" refers to an energy-efficient roof that helps reduce temperatures, thus helping you save on your energy bill. Understanding the difference between a traditional roof and a cool roof and the benefits a cool roof can offer can help you make the right choice when it comes time to update your roof.
Cool vs. Traditional
A traditional roof is one that likely absorbs the majority of the sun's rays and heat throughout the daytime hours. The darker the roof, the more light and heat it absorbs. A dark roof might reach temperatures as high as 150 degrees under the hot summer sun.
A cool roof has reflective properties either through the materials or paint used on the roof. The lighter the color of the roof, the more it will reflect the light and heat of the sun. Whereas a dark roof might reach 150 degrees or so under the summer sun, a cool roof might register approximately 50 degrees cooler.
Reduced Energy Bills
A cool roof with decent albedo can help you reduce your monthly energy bills. Albedo is a term used to describe the amount of radiation an object, such as a cool roof, reflects into the atmosphere. A roof that can reflect radiation and heat will ensure that you do not need to set your AC as low to keep your home cool and comfortable in the summer.
Keep in mind, however, that darker roofing systems tend to work better during the winter. Therefore, a cool roof may not be an ideal choice for you if you live in an area that stays cool or cold throughout most of the year. If, however, you live in an area that is known for brutal heat and lots of sunshine, investing in a cool roof to reduce your energy bills may be a great idea.
Nature's Friend
If you are the type of person who has always wanted to lend a hand to help nature, a cool roof can help. It is estimated that electricity consumption accounts for 31% of carbon emissions, which is the highest of all the sectors. If you have been looking for a way to reduce your carbon footprint, a cool roof can help you do just that.
Since a cool roof reduces how much you must rely on your air conditioner to cool your home, you are consuming less electricity during the summer hours. Therefore, you are helping reduce your contribution to carbon emissions. In other words, you are helping preserve nature rather than accelerating the harmful effects on the planet.
Prolonging the Life of Your Roof
Believe it or not, an added benefit of investing in a cool roof includes prolonging the life of your roof. Heat can put stress on a roofing system. As the materials heat up, the heat can shorten the lifespan of your roof. By choosing to have a cool roof installed on your home, you can reduce the heat absorbed, which can help add years of life to your roofing system.
Keep in mind that it only makes sense to add a cool roofing system if you frequently deal with heat. Residents of colder states with lots of snow would not benefit from reflecting heat away from their homes. Instead, it makes more sense to draw heat in so you can reduce your heating bill. Hot, sunny areas of the United States are the best locations for cool roofing systems.
If you are interested in finding out more about a cool roofing system and how it might benefit you, contact a residential roof installation contractor you.