Can you believe it? For the most part, “Spring has Sprung” and we couldn’t be more excited! This is the time of year when we get to work with so many homeowners who are tired of the problems of traditional roofing materials and looking for a better choice. While we look at each situation individually, we’re very happy whenever we can help someone to a better and worry-free roofing future.
In recent months, we have heard so much about folks considering solar power arrays on their homes. And, while we appreciate what they’re trying to do, we have to scratch our heads and ask, “Why?” The desire of a solar array is to reduce your energy costs. We understand that. But doesn’t it make more sense to first actually reduce your energy consumption? That is the real permanent way toward savings and taking lasting demand away from your local power grid.
Reduce Your Energy Consumption
We focus on helping consumers reduce their energy consumption through attics that function properly, venting heat and moisture out of the home, and through roofs that are reflective and act as thermal breaks to stop the sun’s heat from transferring into the home. While the attic analysis requires information from you or you regarding your current situation, our beautiful metal roofs save energy in several ways. Let’s take a look at those:
- Aluminum roofing quickly dissipates any gained heat back to the atmosphere as soon as the sun goes behind a cloud or even when a gentle breeze blows. Think of the aluminum pan you take out of your oven. Have you noticed how quickly it cools down compared to glass or steel? We noticed that, too. While other roofing materials absorb and hold heat and even radiate it into the home long after the sun has gone down at night, an aluminum roof cools quickly, returning to the outside ambient temperature. This helps keep your attic cooler.
- We use hI-R heat-reflective coatings with special pigments that reflect radiant heat, even in dark colors. In southern climates, they have known for years that white roofs save energy through reflectivity. The pigments we use were originally developed for aeronautic and military applications. Incorporated into our industry-leading PVDF finishes, these pigments allow us to meet US Energy Star standards for cool roofing. They actually reflect rather than absorb the heat that strikes them. Thanks to these pigments, you can have a heat-reflective roof even in dark colors!
- The formed thickness of metal shingles creates an integral airspace between the metal and your home’s roof structure. This thermal break acts much like the small dead air space between glass panes in a thermal pane window. It stops conductive heat transfer, again helping to keep your attic cooler. Our energy tests show our aluminum shingle products keep attics cooler than standing seam roofing which rests on the roof deck and transfers gained heat right into your attic. The inherent thermal break to our products stops that heat!
We’re always ready to help you save energy. Let us know, if you’d like to learn more.