Roofs are responsible for up to 50% of a home's cooling loads. That means large air-conditioning bills if you pick the wrong roofing material. If your home overheats in summer and hot weather, reflective roofing and insulation are excellent means to solve the problem.
Reflective roofing materials are very effective instruments for keeping your home cool and comfortable. In some cases you just have to install these materials directly over the surface of your room, using an appropriate coating or membrane. These materials will decrease the heat transferred into attics and rooms by several degrees and will provide lower cooling costs. Roofing coats do the same job. There are many roof coatings and membranes, with very different efficiencies. Elastomeric coatings (namely the white ones), white rubber membranes and white EPDM rubber membranes are the roofing products with the best reflectance. Ask your roofer about the compatibility of these coats with your roofing material.
Another roofer tip is to avoid dark shingles. Common dark-color asphalt and fiberglass shingles absorb most of the solar radiation, and are a major cause of high air conditioning costs. A large amount of the unwanted heat in buildings comes in through the roof and attic. To solve this problem, the most effective and direct answer is to go for lighter colored shingles or better yet, metal roofing.
Metal roofing is now probably the most popular material of choice due to its durability and low cost. Its a lot more efficient than asphalt shingles and a lot more durable than ceramic slates. In sunny climates, metal roofing may provide energy cooling savings up to 20% relatively to asphalt shingle roofs. Besides, metal roofs are fire retardant and have a low maintenance cost. White metal with an SRI of more than 80; or new aluminum metal around 70, have excellent performances as roofing materials.
In addition to its durability, metal roofing is also recognized for being green. Since your house is likely to use less energy, it means less harmful emission to the environment.
Ceramic and concrete roofing materials can also be an excellent roof cooling solution, namely white clay slate shingles. Ordinary red-barrel slates made from clay are a natural and environmental product, with a reasonable energy performance, but the best roofing slates are other modern versions, such as white slates with energy-efficient coatings. The solar reflectance (SRI) for some traditional types of ceramic slate shingles are often between 20 and 50, while the best white concrete slates provide a SRI of 90.
More practically, according to most general contractors, slate is an extremely durable material. Slate used for roofing is made from rock quarries and is cut by hand. Generally, a slate roof can have a lifespan of up to 75 years or more. Additionally, slate provides excellent fire protection. Unlike roofs made of wood, slate will stand up to flames without burning. Slate roofs are also storm and wind resistant. Exposure to natural elements will not compromise the look or structure of the tiles, nor will they retain damaging snow or ice. Make sure you apply coating on your slates if you do choose this roofing material so it works better with tropical climate.
Lastly, hiring the right roofing contractor is an important part of installing your roof. Roofing companies will charge you per square foot. Repairs are exclusive of the installation charges. Hire a trusted roofing contractor in your areas of Tampa, St Petersburg, Clearwater, and Lutz. Beacon Construction Services is a roofing company that is reputable for providing good and professional roofing installation and repair for homes.
Reflective roofing materials are very effective instruments for keeping your home cool and comfortable. In some cases you just have to install these materials directly over the surface of your room, using an appropriate coating or membrane. These materials will decrease the heat transferred into attics and rooms by several degrees and will provide lower cooling costs. Roofing coats do the same job. There are many roof coatings and membranes, with very different efficiencies. Elastomeric coatings (namely the white ones), white rubber membranes and white EPDM rubber membranes are the roofing products with the best reflectance. Ask your roofer about the compatibility of these coats with your roofing material.
Another roofer tip is to avoid dark shingles. Common dark-color asphalt and fiberglass shingles absorb most of the solar radiation, and are a major cause of high air conditioning costs. A large amount of the unwanted heat in buildings comes in through the roof and attic. To solve this problem, the most effective and direct answer is to go for lighter colored shingles or better yet, metal roofing.
Metal roofing is now probably the most popular material of choice due to its durability and low cost. Its a lot more efficient than asphalt shingles and a lot more durable than ceramic slates. In sunny climates, metal roofing may provide energy cooling savings up to 20% relatively to asphalt shingle roofs. Besides, metal roofs are fire retardant and have a low maintenance cost. White metal with an SRI of more than 80; or new aluminum metal around 70, have excellent performances as roofing materials.
In addition to its durability, metal roofing is also recognized for being green. Since your house is likely to use less energy, it means less harmful emission to the environment.
Ceramic and concrete roofing materials can also be an excellent roof cooling solution, namely white clay slate shingles. Ordinary red-barrel slates made from clay are a natural and environmental product, with a reasonable energy performance, but the best roofing slates are other modern versions, such as white slates with energy-efficient coatings. The solar reflectance (SRI) for some traditional types of ceramic slate shingles are often between 20 and 50, while the best white concrete slates provide a SRI of 90.
More practically, according to most general contractors, slate is an extremely durable material. Slate used for roofing is made from rock quarries and is cut by hand. Generally, a slate roof can have a lifespan of up to 75 years or more. Additionally, slate provides excellent fire protection. Unlike roofs made of wood, slate will stand up to flames without burning. Slate roofs are also storm and wind resistant. Exposure to natural elements will not compromise the look or structure of the tiles, nor will they retain damaging snow or ice. Make sure you apply coating on your slates if you do choose this roofing material so it works better with tropical climate.
Lastly, hiring the right roofing contractor is an important part of installing your roof. Roofing companies will charge you per square foot. Repairs are exclusive of the installation charges. Hire a trusted roofing contractor in your areas of Tampa, St Petersburg, Clearwater, and Lutz. Beacon Construction Services is a roofing company that is reputable for providing good and professional roofing installation and repair for homes.
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