A Cool Roof Can Keep Your Home Cooler and Save You Money

A cool roof can keep your home cooler and save you money. You know how hot it gets up on or near your roof on a hot summer day if you have ever been up there. While roofing materials are meant to withstand heat, extended exposure to harsher temperatures would likely reduce the roof’s home cooler lifespan. Another sobering fact to ponder is that the hotter your roof becomes, the more desirable your attic becomes. Your interior living space will become hotter as your attic heats up! That means your air conditioner will have to operate for more extended periods and more frequently. What is the result? You will pay more in energy expenditures, and your air conditioning system will probably need to be replaced sooner than you would want!

So, what can you do to assist in the cooling process? When it comes to your next roof installation or replacement, the color and materials you choose for your roof are pretty important! With this information, we can help you understand how a cool roof can keep your home cooler and save you money.

Roof Colors and Heat Retention

What role does color play in heat? Plenty. Darker colors absorb more light and heat wavelengths, whereas lighter colors reflect more of it away. You have probably felt the effects of heat retention if you have ever worn a black t-shirt on a hot day! So, how does this apply to your roof?

Black & Dark-Colored Roofs

Darker-colored roofing materials, on the whole, absorb more light and heat. As a result, your attic heats up more, making your home’s interior warmer as well.

Light-Colored Roofs

Light colors reflect light and heat more effectively. This is one of the reasons why light-colored roofing has long been popular in hot climates such as Greece, North Africa, and the Southwest United States.

Roofing Materials Matter Even More

When it comes to heat retention, color is essential, but the material covering your roof is even more critical. A cool roof can keep your home cooler and save you money. A summer temperature of your attic might vary by 50°F or more depending on whatever material you choose, according to the US Department of Energy! Because of this, it is essential to know which common roofing materials are genuinely more excellent than others:

Asphalt Shingles: Regardless of hue, traditional asphalt shingles have low reflecting characteristics (thus increased heat retention). Why? The asphalt particles scatter light in multiple directions, with the shingles absorbing much of it. There are now some significantly more energy-efficient shingle solutions available because of advancements in engineering and technology. Reflective granules in Owens Corning Duration Premium COOL Shingles, for example, reflect more solar radiation into the atmosphere, keeping your roof cooler. These Owens Corning COOL Shingles are ENERGY STAR approved and CRRC-rated, unlike regular shingles. Afterall, a cool roof can keep your home cooler and save you money.

Metal Roofing – Aside from the fact that metal is long-lasting and sturdy, metal roofing has another benefit: it is naturally reflective.

A suitably coated metal roof (even if it is in a darker hue!) will reflect the great majority of the solar energy that hits it. While metal is initially more expensive than shingles, it is a long-term investment that can save you up to 40% on home energy bills! Having a cool roof can keep your home cooler and save you money.

Natural Tile – clay and slate tiles are made from natural materials and have a lot of thermal resistance and reflection. They are also made to allow air to flow around the tile, which aids in removing moisture and regulating roof temperatures. Concrete tiles are another great material to think about. Concrete is weather-resistant, does not absorb much heat, and is one of the most long-lasting roofing materials available.

Wood Shakes (or Wood Shingles) — Wood shakes (or wood shingles) are a very environmentally friendly option. They are made from renewable materials, and wood is a natural insulator. In terms of roofing, this means that less heat is transported to the attic below. Additionally, choosing cedar as your wood of choice provides additional moisture control benefits for your roof and home.

Synthetic Roofing: Synthetics or composites can be made to resemble wood, asphalt, or natural tile, and they have excellent reflective properties. For example, DaVinci Cool Roof tiles are made from virgin resins that have been reinforced with UV stabilizers. DaVinci tiles have received the ENERGY STAR accreditation, and they also come with a 50-year guarantee! With these products, a cool roof can keep your home cooler and save you money.

Ways to Keep Your Roof Cooler: Ventilation & Insulation

You can do a few other things and think about the right color and material for your roof covering. If you genuinely want a perfect top, proper attic ventilation is crucial. Allow your roof to breathe by implementing a well-thought-out ventilation strategy. Make sure your roof has a good mix of intake and exhaust vents so that fresh air can flow in and hot air can escape. In saying this, a cool roof can keep your home cooler and save you money.

Insulation is commonly thought to be necessary to keep a home warm in the winter, but it is also required to own home cool in the summer. You most likely have some form of insulation in your attic and roof, but it may not be enough to keep up with the heat and humidity of North Carolina and Florida. Adding blown insulation to your home is an excellent method to make it more energy-efficient throughout the year. After all, a cool roof can keep your home cooler and save your money.

It is critical to pick the correct roof color, roofing materials, ventilation, and insulation measures. However, even the best materials will not make a difference if they are not placed correctly in the first place! Are they looking for the best-rated and most-trusted local roofing contractors in Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia? Then Ridge Valley Exteriors is the company for you!

For more information, call Ridge Valley Exteriors in Kennesaw, GA, Raleigh, NC, and Tampa and Marco Island, FL at 844-741-7663.