HOW ROOFERS CAN HELP COOL YOUR HOME ALL SUMMER

HOW ROOFERS CAN HELP COOL YOUR HOME ALL SUMMER

A “cool roof” isn’t just what the kids call a hip-looking house — it’s a certified system for lowering your energy costs! If you’re in the market for a new or replacement roof, there are just as many options today for energy-efficiency as there are for colors and materials.

How Does It Work?
Cool roof systems can be constructed using tiles, shingles, metal, or special kinds of paint. An Energy Star certified roof works by reflecting more of the sun’s rays, which can then help lower its surface temperature by as much as 100F degrees. It’ll also help prevent that heat from transferring to the interior of your house, which keeps your cooling needs low and will help ensure the longevity of your roofing overall.

What Kind of Material is Best?
Increasingly, residential roofers are recommending metal as an energy-smart material. A cool metal roof will reduce peak cooling demands by as much as 15% and lower a building’s interior temperature by up to 20%. Better yet, metal roofs have a long lifespan and are 100% recyclable.

Alternatively, roofers can apply reflective paint or sheet coverings to existing tile roofs for cooling. Dark-colored tiles and shingles are especially prone to soaking up heat rays, but a reflective sheen can bounce sunlight back off into the air.

How Does It Affect the Environment?
In addition to the benefits, think about the impacts a simple energy solution like efficient roofing can have on the environment and landscape overall. Reduced cooling demands mean less electricity used in summer, which can reduce overall emissions from power suppliers. All told, cool roofs can even help reduce the local air temperature!

Cool roof options are available for virtually every type of home and commercial building, from low to steep slopes and from old tiles to brand-new constructions. The type that’s best suited for you may depend most heavily on your climate, so speak with local roofers to find out what you can do to have a positive impact on the environment while keeping your home cool and comfortable all summer long!

THE HOMEOWNER’S GUIDE TO IMPACT RESISTANT ROOFING PRODUCTS

Everyone who’s ever purchased a home here knows just how important it is to have an impact resistant roof in Denver. Besides the usual rain, sleet, snow, and occasional tornado warnings, hail damage is also a serious threat to Colorado homeowners. While you may understand that you need impact resistant roofing products for your home, what you may not realize is that you have options. Here’s your guide to choosing between two of the most common materials for impact resistant roofs: concrete tile and stone coated steel.

Concrete Tile
Concrete is one of the most durable roofing materials around. Today’s concrete tiles can be manufactured to imitate the look and appearance of other materials like wood, clay, or slate, while still providing the durability and strength of impact resistant roofing products. With a wide variety of colors to choose from and a proven track record, concrete tile is a suitable choice for the variable climate and weather conditions of this area of the country. Concrete tiles often last 50 years or more, but because of their weight, your home structure may require additional support to have concrete tiles installed.

Stone Coated Steel Tiles
Another resilient choice for impact resistant roofing is stone coated steel. Like concrete tiles, the stone coating can be painted to make these metal tiles look just like other materials and match the aesthetic of the rest of your home. Additionally, are often more affordable and lightweight than concrete. They’re also a popular pick for the eco-conscious consumer, as they are often made with recyclable materials, can help deflect sunlight to reduce cooling costs in the summer, and are 100% recyclable after their long, useful lives.

Ultimately, the type of material you choose may depend on the scope of your house itself. Talk with your insurance company about any possible discounts or assistance you may be able to receive by upgrading your current roof to one with impact resistant roofing products. Then, call us at Advanced Roofing Systems to learn more about your choices and help improve the safety and longevity of your home and your roof.

PROS AND CONS TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF IMPACT RESISTANT ROOFS

Sure, an “impact resistant roof” sounds desirable — but is it really worth the investment cost? If you live in a place like Denver, the answer is 100% yes!

In general, your roofing needs depend on your climate and weather conditions. Here in Colorado, you experience not only hot summers and cold winters but frequent hailstorms and maybe even an occasional tornado warning, too. In short, you have to be prepared for anything Mother Nature throws your way.

All types of impact resistant roofs will work well in Denver when it comes to protecting your home from hail damage. So how do you choose between the different materials available for roofing systems? Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons of several types of impact resistant roofs.

Metal

    • Pros: strong, durable, and energy-efficient. Metal roofs are popular for helping control indoor temperatures, deflecting excess sun rays in the summer and absorbing welcome warmth during the winter.

 

  • Cons: As a less traditional type of roofing material, not all homeowners like the look of metal. However, a painted metal roof can often blend right in, maintaining 95% of its initial emittance and reflectance over time.

Tile

    • Pros: Tiles made of concrete are virtually impenetrable when it comes to hail. They also look more natural and come in a wide variety of colors.

 

  • Cons: As you might guess, a roof made out of concrete tiles is going to be heavy. Your home may require additional supports or precautions to support the tiles, which might make the process cost-prohibitive for some older homes.

No matter which types of impact resistant roofs you choose, one of the biggest advantages for homeowners is the insurance discount you can get for having them installed. Despite the initial investment costs, this break can pay for itself over time. Of course, there’s also the benefit of knowing that your home will be able to withstand rough hailstorms that come with the territory of living in the beautiful Denver area. If you’re ready to get impact-resistant, call us at Advanced Roofing today for more information.