How To Create an Energy-Efficient Roof

Check out the different types of cool roofing systems and see which one is right for you.

As society moves toward a more sustainable future, property investors are making eco-friendly changes to their commercial buildings. One of those changes is installing an energy-efficient roof. The idea is to reduce the amount of heat the building absorbs by using specific roofing materials.

Traditional roofing materials absorb quite a bit of heat from the sun and require extensive air conditioning to cool down the building. There’s nothing energy efficient about constantly running your AC to cool down your facility. But with traditional, inefficient roofs, you don’t have a choice.

An energy-efficient building requires an energy-efficient roof. This article will explain how the right roof can increase energy efficiency in commercial buildings.

Advantages of a Cool Roof System

Although there is an ecological component, energy efficiency does more than just help preserve the environment. It also prevents the building’s HVAC system from becoming overworked. When your roof is cool and efficient, so is your HVAC system. And lower energy bills are an additional benefit to an efficient HVAC system.

If you’re ready to lower your heating and cooling costs, contact us for a free estimate. We can customize any of our sustainable cool roof systems to meet your needs and budget. By installing an energy-efficient roof, you’ll also get some tax incentives that help you save big money.

Do you want to prioritize energy efficiency on your next roof replacement project? ROOFCORP OF AMERICA can help.

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How To Get an Energy-Efficient Roof

The key to creating an energy-efficient roof is choosing the right roofing model and applying a proper roof coating. You’ll also want to have your roof installed by a professional to make sure it’s done properly. While there are many different energy-efficient roofing systems to choose from, one of the easiest is a cool roofing system. This type of roof can be constructed a couple of different ways.

Apply a Cool Roof Coating

One way to get a cool roof is to apply a heat-repelling roof coating. This type of coating can reduce the roof’s temperature by up to 50%. There are several types of coatings to choose from, including:

All of these coatings will reduce the amount of heat your commercial building absorbs by deflecting it away from your building. With this reduction, your roof won’t radiate so much heat, and you’ll save money on your air conditioning costs in the hot summer.

Install a Metal Roof

Metal is one of the best materials for a commercial building roof because metal roofs are durable, long-lasting, and reflective. A metal roof has a lower thermal mass than other roofing materials, which makes it reflect heat instead of absorbing it and radiating it into your building.

Depending on your aesthetic preferences, you might find a metal roof to be the ideal solution for your commercial building. You want your roof to last as long as possible, and metal roofs can last between 50 and 70 years. They’re designed to withstand harsh weather that would otherwise tear up a traditional roof.

With a metal roof, you’ll eventually need to perform some maintenance, like touching up scratches, but a properly installed metal roof won’t give you the big problems that are common with asphalt shingles. You can also apply a cool roof coating to your metal roof to make it even cooler. These coatings are usually oven-baked paint finishes or reflective granules. Some metal roofing panels come with a light coating already, making it even easier to get an energy-efficient commercial roof.

Other Types of Cool Roof Systems

There are several other types of cool roofs, including:

Single-ply membranes: This type of roof uses rolled, pre-made reflective sheets attached to the rooftop with fasteners, a chemical adhesive, or ballasted with pavers.
Built-up roofs: A built-up roof is made from a base sheet, fabric reinforcement, and darker top layer that reflects heat when painted with a cool coating.
Green roofs: This type of roof uses live plants to absorb the sunlight. The rooftop is covered in garden greenery that protects the roof from the elements, including heat.

All of these cool roof systems are excellent options, but you’ll want to connect with a professional to determine which one is right for you. Not all systems are ideal for every business. For instance, you may not like the idea of people seeing a bunch of plants on top of your roof. On the other hand, having your rooftop filled with greenery might mesh well with your business’s brand and style.

Roof Coating How To Create an Energy-Efficient Roof?

Insulation Plays a Major Role in Energy Efficiency

In addition to having a cool roof, it’s important to have proper insulation. A well-insulated building doesn’t need to use as much energy to cool down and will save you money on your electricity bill.

Contact ROOFCORP OF AMERICA for your free cool roof estimate.

ROOFCORP Can Install Insulation With Your Cool Roof System

When we install a sustainable cool roof system for your commercial building, we’ll also make sure to install the proper insulation so you get the most out of your new roof.