The type of roofing you choose for your home can drastically affect your energy efficiency and, therefore, your utility bills. And, for those interested, certain roofing materials are made from green or recycled materials, so those that have them can further reduce the size of their carbon footprint. If you’re curious about your roof and its energy efficiency, take a look at the efficiency of each of these common roofing materials.
Tile Roofs
Tile is a great roofing solution for those pursuing energy efficiency. It’s durable and fairly cheap, it looks nice, and it does a lot to reduce the amount of energy required to cool your home. Many roofing tiles have reflective surfaces which will reduce the amount of heat absorbed, or, at the very least, most will be made with thermally-resistant materials. The fact that tiles are laid side-by-side and don’t overlap like traditional shingles also makes them energy efficient, since warm air won’t be held in the spaces between them.
Shingle Roofs
Of these options, shingle roofs are going to be the least efficient. The most commonly used shingles are asphalt shingles, which might give you a bit of insight regarding how they react to direct sunlight. Anyone who’s ever been on a rooftop in the summer knows how hot shingles can be. Because of their dark color and overlapping nature, asphalt shingles will attract and retain a lot of heat, which will warm up the inside of your home as well.
Metal Roofs
In terms of sustainability, which is a large part of efficiency, metal roofs are nearly unbeatable. Installed correctly, a metal roof can stay atop your home for nearly a century if you wanted it to. Not only that, but metal roofing is one of the more energy efficient methods of roofing your home. The metal helps to reflect sunlight in the summer, keeping your home cooler, as well as insulate the space in the winter, keeping it warmer.
Cool Roofs
Most all of these materials can be retrofitted with a coating or material that will make them more energy efficient (though it might alter the aesthetics). These roofs, called “cool roofs,” are treated with reflective materials that reduce the amount of sunlight absorbed. This reduced absorption can reduce the temperature of your home dramatically and lessen your cooling costs. Materials that already qualify as cool roof materials (shingles or tiles with highly reflective paint or sheet coverings) can be purchased if you are looking to completely replace your old roof rather than just enhance your old one.
Once you’ve upgraded your roof, you still might be able to increase your savings. By making your home more energy efficient (whether by adding new roofing, using recycled materials, installing solar panels, or all three), you may be able to reduce your taxes and qualify for an energy tax credit.
