Tips for Saving Energy at Home: Roofing

Although energy-efficient appliances and practices to conserve energy are efficient in saving money, there's an alternative approach to address the issue. Selecting the most efficient building materials for your new construction project or retrofitting could reduce the strain on your cooling and heating system.

If your house isn't in a shaded region, the roof will be subject to intense sunlight for long periods every day. This raises the temperature inside on hot, warm summer days. This causes your HVAC system to have to work harder in order to stay on top. If you're experiencing the highest summer cooling costs and conventional asphalt roofing has options, there are energy-efficient roofing that can help reduce the burden on your HVAC system.

1. Install Metal Roofing

Alongside working to complement both traditional and contemporary architecture, metal roofing is environmentally friendly and energy efficient. Metal roofing typically has reflective coatings that keep your home cool in summer and also insulate better in winter. Metal roofing isn't cheap, but it comes with more expensive costs compared to asphalt roofing; it can save energy bills and can last a lot longer. It's typically made up of 30-60 percent recycled materials. They are recyclable when it's removed at a later date, unlike asphalt roofing which is destined to end at the dump.

The most commonly used kinds of metal roofing are steel roofing, aluminum roofing, or copper roofing. They can be constructed as panels or shingles and even coated with stone to resemble slate roofing or tiles made of clay. If you're keen on a more traditional look, slate tiles and clay tiles can be energy-efficient, in that they are able to insulate your house effectively. However, they don't possess the same reflective qualities that metal roofing does. They're also heavier and generally more expensive. Choose a roofing contractor who is familiar with metal to assist you with the installation of your roof.

2. Apply a Reflective Coating

Coating plays a vital aspect in the effectiveness of a metal roof. Coatings for roofs are comparable to a thick coat of paint, and they do not just improve the reflectivity and effectiveness of roofs but also their durability and weather resistance also. A lot of roofing materials made of metal, particularly steel, are coated with zinc, aluminum, or a mixture of both. You also can select your coating and color to ensure that you investigate the emissivity characteristics of various coatings before choosing one that is certified.

3. Plant a Roof Garden

Perhaps you aren't able to pay for the cost of a new roof. There are many ways to make the roof energy-efficient. If you're thinking of green roofs, it is more real than you may think: it's the roof covered in green plants. For a green or "living" roof, first, it is necessary to ensure that your roof is durable and can withstand some extra weight. Also, be sure that there are no leaks. Insulation is often required by local building codes. So, make sure to know the steps you'll need to adhere to. Be sure to do your research regarding the appropriate materials and grasses and plants that will thrive in your area. If properly done, green roofs will more than just lower the cost of cooling and heating and improve the quality of the air, aid in storm water management, and provide a natural and unique look to your home.