3 Ways to Make Your Roof More Energy Efficient

In this article, we’re looking at 3 ways to have energy efficient roofing. There are a number of reasons to check how energy efficient your roof is.

The first is that improving the energy efficiency of your home could save you money on your energy bills. You’ll also feel more relaxed in the hot summer with cooler temperatures inside, and warmer in colder months.

Saving money and keeping the temperature of your home regulated is one thing. You’ll also have the planet thanking you for the amount of reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

So, it’s a win-win-win situation!

If you have decided to take the plunge into roof repair that will make your home more energy-efficient, keep reading for three strategies to get the most out of that process.

3 Ways to Make Your Roof More Energy Efficient

Address Your Insulation

The best time to think about your home’s insulation is during roofing installation or while undergoing repairs.

However, with all of the money and time that goes into that process, many homeowners put off their insulation needs until absolutely necessary. You’re still able to fix some insulation problems if you’re not ready for roof repairs or a replacement though.

Experts say that not only will a properly insulated roof extend the life of your roof, but it will also add up to significant savings for your wallet in the long run.

You can look at the roof of your house as a barrier that prevents warmth from the inside escaping, and air from equalizing. As heat rises, insulating your roof is crucial to warm air inside during cold months.

If you have attic access and want to see if you have enough insulation there, measure the thickness of the insulation. If it is less than an equivalent of a standard size of R-30 insulation, you could probably benefit by adding more.

Before you insulate, seal any air leaks and make any necessary repairs. If it is located in a conditioned part of the house, also remember to insulate and air seal your attic access.

Consider a Cool Roof

Have you ever put your hand on a black surface or some metal roofing when the sun has been beating down on it? The answer is probably “yes”, right?

So you’ll know how it feels – very hot.

Think about this when it comes to the heat that is coming off of your roof, and this applies to dark roofs in particular. If you’re looking for another way to save on cooling off your house during the warm months while saving big on your energy bill, then thinking about a cool roof might be for you.

A cool roof is designed to help keep heat away by reflecting more sunlight while absorbing less heat. It does this with a special cool roof coating. Think about how you might wear lighter-colored clothing to reflect heat on a hot day, this is a similar principle.

Cool roofs typically come in lighter colors. They work because they are made of a highly reflective type of paint, a sheet covering, or reflective tiles or shingles.

In hot, humid summers, cool roof surfaces can be more susceptible to algae or mold growth than warmer, traditional roofs. Some roof coatings also include chemicals that prevent mold or algae growth for a few years.

Standard roofs typically reach temperatures of at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit on a hot summer day. If you invest in a cool roof, not only would your roof stay up to 50 degrees cooler, but it could also lead to significant savings during the hot months.

In summary, cool roofs can save money in several ways; energy savings, potential rebates and incentives, reducing the use of your air conditioner and extending the lifetime of your roof.

Are you interested in the potential savings? You can estimate how much energy you would save by installing a cool roof is by using this Cool Roof Calculator.

Improve Attic Ventilation

During hot months, proper ventilation from your attic reduces the hot air buildup in your home. This reduces energy costs and prolonging the life of your asphalt shingles.

During the cold months, warm, moist air comes into your attic from your living space. If you have proper ventilation, the heat and moisture will escape from that space. Keeping your attic dry and free from damage.

If you don’t currently have any vents on the eaves or roof of your home, you should consider adding some.

To figure out how many vents you need, determine your attic area by multiplying the length times the width. Then, aim for about one square foot of vent opening per 150 square feet of the attic.

For the best roof ventilation, place it near the roof’s peak and soffit vents in the eaves. Air will flow through the soffit vents and out through the roof vents.

There are multiple styles of roof vents, but everything you need to begin an installation project should be available at a home center retailer. You’ll likely need vents, roofing nails, a galvanized sheet metal screws, utility blades, a dust mask, and one tube of roofing cement for every three vents to complete the project.

Residential Roofing Projects: Elite Roofing

Interested in getting started in any projects like these discussed? Feel free to contact us for and we’ll happily talk you through your options.

We have a team of experienced professionals with over 20 years in the industry. Using only the best materials and priding ourselves on having the best customer service in the industry – we know we give each and every client quality results that last.

Get a free estimate!

We can work directly with your insurance company and offer free estimates to plan and budget your next roofing project. That’ll help you avoid headaches in advance!

Please contact us today to schedule your FREE estimate on your next roof installation or project. With a variety of offerings to choose from, we’re sure you’ll be happy working with us.HAVE