Home | Our Blog | What is the Most Energy-Efficient Roofing Option
Reviewed by Tomas Kalkys. President.
Qualifications: More than 20 years of experience in residential and commercial exterior remodeling.
Founding farther of Legacy Service.
Written by LegacyUSA Team
posted on Aug 17, 2021
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Currently, there are more ways to improve your houseâs energy efficiency than ever before. Not only does this help decrease your carbon footprint, but it also helps you save money by reducing your energy costs. Even when the sun is beating down on your roof during the hot summer months, you can help keep your building cool by using certain roofing materials that reflect the sunâs heat instead of absorbing it.
In this article, weâre going to discuss some of the most energy efficient roofing options. Weâll explain why energy saving roofs are important for your house, popular roofing materials and their energy efficiency, and some of the questions that weâre most frequently asked about this subject.
Here at Legacy Service, we take pride in being your all-in-one solution for residential exterior renovation. Whether you need installation or replacement for roofing, siding, windows, doors, or gutters, you can trust our team to be your first choice for your home remodeling needs. We have a mission to build and maintain strong relationships with our clients by providing unmatched quality and remarkable customer service.
If youâre interested in installing an energy saving roof on your home, please feel free to contact us at 215-798-9790 or https://legacyusa.com/contact/ to schedule a free estimate.
Years ago, roofing manufacturers realized that itâs important for roofs to be more energy efficient, especially when it comes to reflecting the sunâs heat. Now, homeowners have plenty of quality options to choose from when it comes to energy efficient roof materials.
So, why is it important to install an energy saving roofing system on your home?
If youâre looking to reduce your carbon footprint, improve your homeâs energy efficiency, and reduce your energy bills, then itâs important to install an energy efficient roof on your house. Energy efficient roofs help reduce the burden on your homeâs cooling system because theyâre known to reflect the heat from the sun rather than absorb it.
Reducing the amount of energy you use to cool off your home will result in lower energy costs. Itâs a win-win for both the environment and your wallet!
If youâd like to find out what the most energy efficient roof would be best for your home, continue reading our blog. In the next section, weâre going to discuss popular roofing materials and their energy efficiency. If youâd prefer to consult with a roofing professional, please feel free to contact us at any time at 215-798-7970 or https://legacyusa.com/contact/ to schedule a free consultation.
When you think of roofing for residential homes, youâre most likely thinking about either asphalt shingles or metal roofing. Theyâre two of the most popular types, and for good reason! However, itâs important to keep your options open when itâs time to replace your roof, especially when youâre looking for energy saving roofing products.
Along with asphalt shingles and metal roofing, other options include cedar, synthetic slate, copper, EPDM, natural slate, TPO, rubber roofing. If youâre wondering, âWhat roofing material is the most energy efficient?â, then youâve come to the right place. There are a variety of energy efficient options, but itâs all about finding the material thatâs right for you.
Weâll discuss each of the previously mentioned materials and their energy efficiency in their respective sections below. If you find one in particular that catches your interest, or if there are several that you canât decide between, then itâs time to give us a call to schedule a free consultation for a roof replacement!
Asphalt shingles are typically considered the most popular roofing material among homeowners throughout the United States. However, itâs important to keep in mind that not all asphalt shingles are energy efficient.
If youâre considering energy efficient shingles for your home, then one of the first things you should look for is ENERGY STARÂŽ roofing because it certifies that the selected materials are energy efficient. Energy efficient materials will be able to reflect the sunâs energy and release it into the surrounding atmosphere to keep the houseâs upper floors cooler so that less energy will be required to cool the home.
Asphalt shingles are also cost-effective and provide plenty of options when it comes to color and style.
Metal roofing is not only considered one of the most energy efficient roofing materials, but itâs also considered one of the best choices for homeowners throughout the United States. Along with being energy efficient, they are also visually appealing, durable, and affordable. When properly installed, metal roofs can last up to 50 years and sometimes more. Theyâre also relatively lightweight, which helps reduce the amount of stress placed on the structure of a building. Whatever color youâre looking for to match the rest of your houseâs exterior, youâll be sure to find it if you select metal roofing.
Cedar is another popular roofing material among American homeowners. Its exceptional and unique beauty is what initially attracts people to it. However, many wonder how energy efficient these shingles are. The answer is that theyâre highly energy efficient. In fact, energy efficiency is one of the reasons why people select this roofing type. It can last up to 10 years (or more) longer than other common materials, including asphalt shingles. Cedar shingles and shakes are also durable and resistant to a variety of weather conditions. In many cases, cedarâs insulation is twice as good as asphalt shingles, which helps save on energy costs.
Synthetic slate can sometimes be overlooked as a roofing material among American homeowners, but itâs another impressive option that should be considered. This energy efficient roofing material can last a lifetime for homeowners, sometimes even spanning multiple generations. Construction waste from slate tiles is completely recyclable, which helps reduce your carbon footprint. And since the material is lightweight, fewer trucks will be required to transport the tiles, resulting in reduced vehicle emissions and lower delivery costs. If youâre interested in synthetic slate, get in touch with your local roofing team today.
The next material weâre going to discuss is copper roofing, which is considered part of the metal roofing family. Not only is it uniquely beautiful, but itâs also known as the longest-lasting type of metal roofing. It can last up to 100 years or more! In regards to energy efficiency, the good news is that copper roofs prove to be both energy efficient and sustainable. Itâs known as one of the types of âcoolâ roofing, which means that it has the ability to reflect solar energy and it also releases infrared radiation energy from a roof. However, itâs important to remember that copper is also one of the most expensive roofing materials.
EPDM rubber is one of the most popular types of flat roofing among American homeowners as well as business owners. EPDM comes in colors of both black and white, so the color choice will not only rely on the property ownerâs design tastes but also the area in which theyâre located.
So, what color roof is the most energy efficient? It depends. In warmer, sunnier areas, itâs usually best to select white because itâs better at reflecting solar rays. EPDM roofs also offer excellent durability, flexibility, and life cycle costs. If youâre interested in installing or replacing an EPDM roof, get in touch with our team at Legacy Service today to schedule a free estimate.
Natural slate is not only a stunning roofing material, but itâs also known as one of the longest-lasting types you can use to cover your home. It can endure a lifetime, and it may even span several generations. There are multiple reasons why slate is considered environmentally friendly. It reduces the amount of energy you use because its density helps insulate your home throughout all seasons of the year. Itâs a green roofing material because it can be recycled. And last but not least, itâs rated to last 75-100 years, which helps reduce carbon emissions throughout your houseâs lifespan.
TPO (thermoplastic polyclinic) is another popular type of flat roofing. Itâs composed of three layers, including TPO polymer base, polyester-reinforced fabric center (scrim), and thermoplastic polyolefin compounded top coat. Itâs also known as a âcoolâ roof since itâs a durable and energy efficient roofing system. However, it slightly differs from EPDM because it typically comes in white rather than black, which is better for reflecting the heat from the sun. In fact, this roofing type can lower cooling and heating costs by as much as 25-35% when installed. If youâre looking to install a TPO roof, give us a call at Legacy Service.
Rubber roofing can be made from rubber, plastic polymers, or a combination of the two. They provide a type of sealing thatâs more impenetrable, which helps reduce leaking. Rubber roofs are energy efficient because theyâre exceptional when it comes to insulation. Theyâre also considered to be eco-friendly because theyâre manufactured from recycled tires, slate dust, and saw dust. And since rubber is flexible, these shingles can usually go where asphalt shingles cannot. If youâre interested in installing rubber roofing on your home, please donât hesitate to contact a trusted local roofing contractor. At Legacy Service, weâll work with you and your budget to provide your house with the exterior it deserves.
Other types of roofing materials include clay shingles and green roofs. Clay shingles combine the rustic architectural style of shingles with the advantages of traditional clay tiles. Clay shingles are a unique material thatâs most often used in warmer climates since theyâre highly durable and can withstand extreme heat. Clay tiles are also considered one of the most energy efficient materials because they have a long service life, have high thermal emittance, and are recyclable.
Green roofs are also known to be highly energy efficient. They absorb and filter rainwater that would otherwise be running into the sewers. They also help protect buildings from UV radiation and extreme fluctuations in temperature.
Both ventilation and insulation are essential to maintaining your roofâs energy efficiency. With proper ventilation, air will be able to circulate through your attic space using vents that allow it to enter and vents that allow it to exit. Itâs also important to remember the insulation. Insulating the attic to keep it warm and allow the cold air to flow in may sound strange, but itâs this combination (of ventilation and insulation) that makes a home energy efficient. Insulation helps keep heat in your home instead of rising into the attic during cold months. In the warmer months, it does the oppositeâit moves the heated air out of the attic to remove moisture and protect the roof.
People often ask us: âDoes a new roof help with energy efficiency?â
In most cases, a new roof will help with your houseâs energy efficiency, especially since most roofs today are manufactured with energy efficiency in mind. Whether youâre looking for asphalt shingles, metal roofing, synthetic slate, or another type altogether, itâs possible to find a roof thatâs both energy efficient and looks nice on your home.
In todayâs world, energy efficiency is more important than ever. Not only does it help you, as a homeowner, save money on cooling and heating bills, but it also helps you reduce your carbon footprint. Here are some of the questions that weâre asked most frequently about energy efficient roofing:
There are several ways you can make your roof more energy efficient. Today, manufacturers are making new roofing materials more energy efficient than ever before, but there are a few other steps you can take to ensure maximum efficiency. They include:
Although there are a variety of high-quality, energy efficient roofing designs on the market today, metal roofing is one of the best kinds that you can choose for your home. When properly installed and maintained, metal roofs can last up to 50 years, and they provide excellent durability to all types of harsh weather conditions.
Energy efficient asphalt shingles are a good option for homeowners who are looking for a more cost-effective option. Theyâre also easy to install and come in a wide range of colors to match the exterior of your home, whatever the color may be.
ENERGY STARÂŽ certified asphalt and metal roofs that have cooling granules or pigmented coatings designed to reduce heat gain qualify for tax credits. Certified roofing products deflect more rays from the sun, which helps lower your roofâs surface temperature and also decrease the amount of heat transferred into your home.
The tax credit amounts are typically up to 10% of the cost (up to $500), not including the installation. The requirements include:
The Non-Business Energy Property Tax Credits have been extended through 12/31/2021.
The color roof that will be best for your home will typically depend on your regionâs climate. If you live in an area thatâs colder throughout the year, a dark roof may be a better choice. Since dark roofs absorb more heat, they make it easier for snow and ice to melt and slide off. On the other hand, if you live in a warmer area, then it might be wiser to choose a lighter color roof. Lighter colors help reflect the rays of the sun, which helps homeowners save money on their cooling bills.
There are plenty of fantastic roofing options for you to choose from in regards to quality energy efficiency. However, most homeowners tend to select either energy efficient asphalt shingles or metal for their roof. These options tend to be the most affordable for homeowners, offer the most options in regards to color and design, and provide excellent energy efficient qualities.
Now that you have an idea of what you want, itâs time to get started on finding the energy efficient roof thatâs right for your home! At Legacy Service, our team provides installation and replacement services for roofing, siding, windows, doors, and gutters. Give us a call today to schedule a free estimate for roofing replacement or installation.
Posted on Aug 17, 2021 in Roof
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