What Are the Most Energy-Efficient Roof Materials?

Stop sucking up all the power! The average American in 2020 used 10,715 kilowatt-hours of electricity throughout the year.

One reason why is roofing. Solar radiation passes through your roof and heats your home up, causing you to turn on your AC. But if you install an energy-efficient roof, you can deflect solar rays and keep your AC off.

Yet what type of roof can you buy? Are metal roofs more efficient than other roofs? What are good examples of energy-efficient roof shingles?

Answer these questions and you can select the perfect roof for your home. Here is your quick guide.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are one of the most popular roofing materials. They are very affordable as well as efficient because they are very reflective.

However, you should not buy the first asphalt shingles you see. Energy-efficient shingles are called "cool roof shingles," and they contain special particles that reflect solar rays better. You should always purchase these shingles instead of their competitors.

You can hire a roofing company to install these shingles for you. After they are in place, you should keep your eye on them.

If a shingle cracks or falls off your roof, you can replace it yourself. Make sure you get an exact replica of the broken or missing shingle, as a different shingle can fall off your roof.

Asphalt shingles last roughly 20 years. After two decades, you may want to replace your shingles with a sturdier material like tiles or copper.

Tiles

Tiles are another extremely popular roofing material. If you put a little space between each tile, air can flow between them. The air can act as a layer of insulation, keeping hot air in your home during the winter and removing heat during the summer.

Any material works for energy efficiency. You can select clay, concrete, and slate tiles. You can also paint them any color you want, though bright colors will reflect solar energy better.

Metal

A metal roof can mean a few different things. You can install large metal panels on your roof, or you can put up metal tiles. Talk to a roofing company about whether metal panels or tiles would be better for your roof.

You can get a metal roof made of aluminum, copper, or steel. All three materials can last for years, yet copper can corrode if you have aluminum or steel supports in your home. If you live near the ocean or a saltwater lake, you should get an aluminum roof, as it can resist saltwater corrosion.

Metal roofs maximize energy efficiency by reflecting the sun away. Many roofs are made with recycled materials, which can further reduce your energy use. If you want to make your roof more efficient, you can cover it with a special coating.

Solar Shingles

Solar shingles are small solar panels that double as roofing shingles. From a distance, they resemble asphalt shingles. But they can harness solar rays and turn them into electricity that you can use.

The shingles are easy to install, and they are very lightweight. If you already have shingles on your roof, you can lay the panels over them.

Solar shingles have a higher upfront cost than most roofing materials. But the electricity they produce can cut down and even eliminate your energy bills. Some people start making money off of their solar electricity system within a decade.

Solar shingles are not as effective as full-size solar panels. If you want to make the most solar electricity possible, you should install your roof and then put solar panels on top. Make sure your roof is sturdy enough to support the weight of your panels.

Vegetation

Green roofs are roofs with vegetation and soil on them. Green plants use sunlight to produce energy for themselves, which will prevent heat from passing through your roof. You can also create an interesting aesthetic by putting vibrant plants on your roof.

Green roofs work best when you have a flat roof to work with. You should be able to access it easily and spend time taking care of your plants. They may need to be watered regularly if you live in a dry or humid area.

You can plant any type of plants you want on your roof. If you have a lot of soil, you can even grow short trees on your roof. But bushes, tall grass, and flowers can work well.

Pigments

If you like your current roofing materials, you can add a pigment that reflects solar rays. The pigment can also insulate your home during the winter, keeping your energy bills down. You can buy a pigment for a metal roof, tiles, and shingles.

There are two main kinds of roofing pigments. Cementitious pigments have ceramic and concrete particles, which can make the pigments very heavy. High humidity can damage your pigment, so you need to install a waterproof seal on it.

Elastomer pigments have polymers that make them more flexible and water-resistant. If you have a roof with an unusual shape, you should put an elastomer pigment on it.

Installing an Energy-Efficient Roof

You need an energy-efficient roof on your home today. If you're looking to save money, you can install asphalt shingles, tiles, and metal panels. Take a look at your different options and find materials with reflective surfaces and particles.

If you want to transition to solar electricity, you should get solar shingles on your roof. If you want to change the aesthetics of your roof, you can add vegetation or place pigments on your current materials.

Get help from seasoned roofing experts. Wooley Brothers Inc. serves Osceola County. Contact us today.

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