If your roof is approaching the end of its lifespan and you’re considering replacing it, it could be the perfect time to do so with energy efficiency in mind.
Re-roofing your home using durable and high-efficiency materials can help you save money on your energy bills, while reducing your carbon footprint at the same time. You could also use the opportunity to assess the insulation under your roof, and if there isn’t any, to add some so that you can further increase your home’s energy efficiency.
If you’re going to re-roof your home with energy efficiency in mind, here are some things to think about:
The color of your roof
What color roof you choose can significantly contribute to how much solar energy the roof is able to absorb, and when that energy is transferred to your home, it can increase how much energy is required to keep it at the right temperature. By choosing a roof with high solar-energy reflecting capabilities you can reduce the temperature of your roof’s surface by 30%.
While dark colored roofs absorb more solar energy and are better suited for home in colder climes, while lighter colored roofs reflect energy better, and are best suited for homes in warmer regions.
Insulation
Adding lightweight, durable and long-lasting insulation made of materials that have plastic as their base (like polystyrene or spray foam) underneath your shingles or roofing tiles can help improve your home’s energy efficiency and lower your energy costs.
Spray polyurethane foam
Used to effectively insulate roofs that are flat or have a low pitch, SPF hardens when sprayed to form a resilient finish that seals cracks and provides fantastic heat, wind and rain resistance.
SPF insulation for your roof also helps to drive down greenhouse gas emissions that are associated with heating and cooling homes, and increase energy efficiency.
Rigid-foam insulation boards
Often used as roofing insulation, as well as in other areas of residential properties and commercial buildings, rigid-foam boards are comprised of plastic foam in dense sheets, and when installed on roofs, usually have plastic membranes incorporated to reflect sunlight and give enhanced protection against wind and rain. They are extremely useful when used in re-roofing circumstances whereby the existing membrane and insulation are left in position and are covered with new board insulation, then topped with a new membrane, as the rigid-foam boards can help to reduce the cost of installation while also preserving the initial R-value.
Structural insulated panels
Structural insulated panels are increasing in popularity thanks to their energy efficiency and the fact that they’re available in many different shapes and sizes. Made up of rigid plastic-foam insulation that has been sandwiched between two structural skins, the panels provide fantastic insulating qualities and high strength.
Vinyl roofing membranes
Light and flexible, single-ply vinyl roofing membranes have been widely used for many decades, especially on industrial and commercial buildings with roofs that are flat or have a low pitch. Made out of PVC, they are incredibly durable, fantastic at repelling water, and wind, fire and chemical-resistant, too. All of this makes them a great choice for re-roofing industrial structures, and they are usually light in color to make the most out of their solar reflective capabilities.
Useful when re-covering a roof and installed with a new and improved layer of insulation, they are also used in so-called ‘green roofs.’
All of these high-performance and ultra-modern materials can be used when re-roofing a building to make it more energy efficient, and thanks to their lightness, low maintenance, durability and excellent energy efficient properties, it’s easy to see why. If you’re planning to re-roof your home or other such property, why not take the opportunity to increase the building’s energy efficiency by using some of the materials and methods listed above. For more details, reach out to a local roofing or construction company.