From Guest Blogger Lizzie Weakly: How Installing a New Roof Can Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Roofs are one of the most essential items that comprise the structure of your home. Without a sound roof, you’re more than likely to experience problems with heating and cooling your house coupled with high energy bills.
If you’ve noticed a spike in your energy bills, your roof is a likely culprit and may need to be replaced. Here are several reasons why a new roof is needed to make your home more energy efficient.
Installing a Metal Roof
Installing a metal roof is one of the most efficient ways to save energy in your home. The reflective properties of a metal roof keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Metal roofs are made up of recycled materials, last longer than asphalt roofs, and can be reused when their time on your home has expired. They’re a little more expensive, but well worth the cost.
Solar Shingles
Having solar shingles installed is for those who are willing to spend a little more money to utilize solar energy. Solar shingles are not as efficient as panels, but they’re more aesthetically pleasing and less cumbersome if that’s an issue for you. Solar shingles may also give you better state and federal tax incentives as well for having them installed.
Reflective Coating
If a metal roof or solar shingles isn’t something that appeals to you, you may want to consider installing a new roof and applying a silicone reflective coating. Reflective coating also provides weather proofing attributes alongside a choice of colors. Many coatings are easy to apply and can last for many years. A respected roofing company, like Roland’s Roofing, can help you if you’re having trouble with this process.
Better Materials
If you have an older roof, it may be time for a new roof with newer, better quality materials. Installing a new roof that isn’t metal and doesn’t utilize solar shingles can still benefit from having better insulation, no holes, and superb shingle coverage installed. Older roofs tend to have less insulation than newer ones, and when you decide to install a new roof, make sure you’re getting the correct amount and the right type of insulation for your home to ensure optimum results.
There are other ways to optimize your roof, but the items listed above are by far the most efficient and beneficial. In regards to lowering your utility bill and saving energy, a new roof is your best bet.
Until fairly recently, people here in the U.S. didn’t like metal roofs; they were thought to look cheap. However, as you point out, they far outlast the more common types of roofs which is probably why they are becoming more common.
In many houses, the area under the roof, i.e., the attic, is ventilated and the attic floor is heavily insulated. That may be as effective as insulating the roof.