From Guest Blogger Emma Sturgis: Green Home–Roofing Options That Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Your roof can play a key role in making your entire home more efficient. This can help you keep the thermostat down in the winter and the air conditioner off for longer periods of time in the summer. What are some of the best roofing materials to use if you are looking for greater energy efficiency?
Solar Panels Radiate Heat and Collect Energy
Solar panels offer homeowners multiple benefits from the same product. Like metal, solar panels do a good job at keeping excess sunlight from reaching your roof, which can keep it and the rest of your home cooler. They are also designed to collect and store energy, which can then be used to run appliances or other products in your home.
Green Plant Material May Be Another Option for Homeowners
In recent years, it has become trendy to use actual plant material to reduce the amount of energy your home uses. While grass is the most popular option, you can use almost any vegetation that can survive on your roof throughout the year. Depending on where you live and how your roof is situated, you may be able to grow flowers or vegetables on your roof during the spring and summer months.
Make Sure That Your Roof Doesn’t Leak
No matter what option you choose, it is imperative that your roof doesn’t leak. You only need a small layer of water to cause serious damage to your home, and water can go all the way down to your home’s foundation. Wet wood or insulation around the home is an invitation for pests to enjoy a nice meal before coming inside to nest.
Metal Roofs Are Great at Regulating Your Home’s Temperature
A metal roof, like the products offered by Roland’s Roofing, can last for up to 50 years and is among the lightest roofing materials that you can choose from. Furthermore, it does an outstanding job reflecting excess heat from your home, which will keep it at roughly the same temperature throughout the year. If you want your roof to absorb heat in the winter, you may want to consider a darker finish.
Your home’s roof is one of its most important components. If it leaks or is otherwise defective, you may be facing expensive repairs as well as losing out on any energy savings that you were hoping for. Therefore, make sure that you choose a roofing material that is the best fit for your home and the elements that it may have to face on a regular basis.
One way to remain comfortable at a lower thermostat setting during winter is, when feeling a bit chilly, to run up and down the stairs a few times. It can make a really big difference.