The Best Energy Efficient Roofing Materials to Save You Money

October 26, 2022

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Investing in energy efficient roofing materials offers many benefits for property owners. Higher-quality roofing options keep in your heating and cooling while keeping out outside heat and cold. In turn, you might enjoy lower utility costs and a more comfortable interior environment.

Additionally, energy-efficient roofing materials can often increase property values! As a consequence, you can build equity faster and sell your property for more money. Since these materials are typically more durable overall, they might also last longer before needing repairs or replacement.

However, many property owners don’t realize the various roofing materials options on the market today. Consequently, they might overlook some material choices. To ensure you don’t make that mistake, check out some excellent energy-efficient roofing materials from which to choose. Then, discuss your property’s condition with a roofer as needed.

What Are the Best Energy Efficient Roofing Materials Available Today?

Note some of the best energy-efficient roofing materials on the market today. Also, when making your selection, be sure you consider your installation budget as well as long-term repair costs. This ensures you’ll appreciate that choice for many years to come!

roofing energy efficiency

Tile roofing

Tile roofing is an excellent choice for increasing energy efficiency for your home. Concrete, clay, and slate are dense and thick enough to keep in your heating and cooling. Also, overlapping tiles allow air circulation between them. That air serves as an insulating “blanket” for the structure below, increasing energy efficiency.

Additionally, tile materials absorb less heat than asphalt and darker shingles. In turn, they make a great choice for warmer climates and extremely sunny areas.

Metal roofing

Homeowners are choosing metal roofs more commonly now than ever before. One reason is that metal roofing offers a durable choice, lasting for 50 years or more. Two, easily recyclable metal is very eco-friendly. Lastly, manufacturers often make metal roofing in a wide variety of colors!

However, homeowners also appreciate the material’s overall energy efficiency as well as its durability. Solid metal panels hold in your heating and cooling while keeping out outside heat and cold. Lighter colors also reflect sunlight, keeping interior spaces cool in wintertime.

High-quality asphalt shingles

Asphalt shingles are still the number one choice of residential roofing materials in the U.S. First, note that roofers can install shingles quickly and easily. Two, asphalt shingles are often the most affordable roofing option!

High-quality shingles also offer lots of insulation and energy efficiency for homes. Their thickness helps to keep in your heating and cooling. Also, cool roof shingles reflect the sun’s heat, keeping interior spaces cool and comfortable.

energy efficient roofing materials

How to Choose the Right Energy-Efficient Roofing Materials

When choosing roofing materials, consider more than just their installation price! For instance, you’ll want to think of long-term costs, including needed repairs and eventual replacement. If you plan on staying in your home for many decades, opt for metal or clay tile. These typically last some 50 years or more.

Also, consider your home’s architectural style when choosing roofing materials. Metal is excellent for both modern and traditional homes, while clay works well with Mediterranean styles. Roofing color also affects curb appeal, so don’t hesitate to choose something other than dull gray!

Lastly, remember that roofing materials affect property values. Investing in high-quality metal or durable clay can increase those values more than lower-quality asphalt shingles. As a result, your investment today can pay off in terms of higher equity and more money when you sell!

What Are Cool Roofs, and Are They Worth the Cost?

Cool roofing materials have reflective coatings along their surfaces. These coatings deflect heat rather than absorb it. In turn, the roof stays cool, and there is less heat transfer to interior spaces.

Manufacturers might apply these reflective coatings during the manufacturing process. On the other hand, there are coatings a property owner can buy and apply to existing roofs. One advantage to cool roofs is that your AC unit cycles on less often during the summer months. Two, decreasing roof temperatures can increase the material’s lifespan!

Also, cool roofs can help reduce smog. Additionally, these roofs mean less demand on local electricity providers. Electricity manufacturing produces tons of fumes and emissions every year. In turn, a cool roof can help reduce your “carbon footprint” and decrease pollution levels.

Lastly, note that a cool roof can often increase property values. Buyers appreciate features that lower their utility costs over time! As a result, installing a cool roof can mean building equity in a home faster and selling for more money.

energy efficient metal roofing on a home

Does Energy Efficient Roofing Add Up to Real Cost Savings?

Your expected cost savings vary according to local weather conditions, the roof’s overall condition, and utility costs. However, some studies show that homeowners might shave some 25% off their overall utility costs with an energy-efficient roof! For many homeowners, that adds up to some $500 per year.

While you might not think that $500 per year is much, consider your long-term savings. Cutting $500 from your energy bills every year means saving $5000 every ten years! That’s $5000 you can use for other bills or just to save.

If you don’t invest in energy-efficient roofing materials, you’ll just be spending even more on your utility bill. Why give that same money to your utility company when you can pocket it instead?

Lastly, some local, state and other municipalities offer tax rebates and other credits for energy-efficient roofs. These incentives can help lower installation costs or increase property values after your roofing installation!

Importance of Roof Ventilation and Insulation

Along with energy efficient roofing materials, homeowners need to ensure their roof has proper ventilation and interior insulation. Note why that is, so you can address these issues as needed!

What is roof ventilation?

Homeowners might assume that vents in a roof are bad and only let in outside heat and cold. However, this isn’t true! Remember that heat in a home rises. Without vents along the roof, that heat can then get trapped directly underneath the roof.

Roof vents let that heat and accompanying humidity escape, keeping interior spaces comfortable. Since humidity also escapes, ventilation is vital for avoiding water damage along interior building materials.

While roof vents provide this vital process for homes, it’s not unusual for storm debris and other residues to block those vents. Also, storm damage can risk cracks and other damage. As a result, homeowners should consider regular roof inspections that include checking vents for needed cleaning or repairs.

Don’t overlook quality interior insulation

A structure’s roof is a vital component of its overall insulation. After all, it provides a “cap” over that entire property! However, interior insulation and especially just below the roof is also important. Poor insulation lets out your interior heating and cooling while letting in humidity, heat, and cold air.

As a result, your HVAC system will typically cycle on and off more than it should. This means higher utility costs and added wear and tear on that system! You’ll then face more repair and replacement costs over the years.

Additionally, interior spaces might feel stuffy during summer months and cold and drafty in wintertime. You might also note condensation on windows, which risks water-damaged frames.

Lastly, note that poor-quality insulation underneath roofs allows roofing materials to absorb that heat and humidity. In turn, you might notice buckled shingles or tiles and damaged roof decking. That humidity also risks mold, mildew, algae, and other contaminants to grow. These also lead to costly roof repairs over time!

Maintaining an Energy Efficient Roof

Investing in energy-efficient roofing materials ensures a quality roof overhead for many years. However, homeowners can take certain steps to ensure that roof stays in good condition as well. For instance, regular power washing removes damaging storm debris, mold, algae, and other materials from a roof. In turn, the roof is likely to stay strong and in good repair longer than if you neglected this service.

Also, it’s vital that a property owner make repairs quickly when needed. Missing shingles, damaged decking, and other issues can compromise a roof’s integrity. Even minor leaks and cracks can also let out your interior heating and cooling, reducing a roof’s energy efficiency.

Above all, ensure that every part of the roof is in good repair, not just the shingles and tiles! Contractors build roofs in layers that include wood decking, underlayment, and other materials. Damage to any of those layers can compromise a roof’s energy efficiency. Professional inspections can find cracks, sagging areas, soft spots, and other areas needing immediate fixing.

The Dallas Roofers is happy to bring you this information about energy efficient roofing material options. Hopefully, you found it helpful when it comes to selecting your new roof tiles or shingles! If you’re ready for reliable, trusted services, call our Dallas roofing contractors. We offer free roof inspections and a wide range of materials for roof repair and replacement. Above all, we stand behind every project with a full guarantee you can trust. To find out more, use our contact form or just give us a call.

 

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