Energy efficiency is one of the buzzwords when it comes to building and improving your home, and it is a buzzword for a reason. Increasing your home's energy efficiency allows you to save money on your energy costs and reduce your energy footprint at the same time. There are various steps you can use to create a roofing system that is more energy-efficient.
#1: Use a Lighter Color
If you need to replace your roof soon, think carefully about the color you choose for your roof. If you live in an area that gets a lot of direct sunlight throughout the year and where the temperatures tend to be warmer, you will want to go with a lighter color for your roof.
A lighter-colored roof should help to reflect sunlight away from your home. This should reduce the amount of heat that your roofing material absorbs and thus will help keep your home cooler as well. When choosing a color, try to choose a shade that will look good with the rest of your home and flow with the neighborhood's overall feeling.
#2: Use More Roofing Insulation
Your roof should have insulation under the shingles. When installing your roof, you will want to have your contractors use high-quality insulation between the roof deck and the shingles. This will help keep heat from being transferred through your roof. You should also make sure that your attic area is well insulated. Having the proper level of insulation on the underside of your roof matters as well.
#3: Think About the Roofing Material
Although asphalt shingles are the most traditional type of roofing material, they are not necessarily the best material to use on your roof when it comes to energy efficiency. Metal roofing of all kinds does an excellent job at reflecting sunlight away from your home. Metal roofing also helps stop the absorption of heat on your roof and thus transfer heat to your home. Another excellent roofing material if you want your home to be more energy-efficient is clay tiles. Clay tiles also work well at reflecting light and reducing heat absorption.
#4: Check the Home's Ventilation System
You are going to want to check on the ventilation system for your roof. When heat enters your roof, that warm air needs to be ventilated out of your attic interior, or it will warm up your home. Upgrading to a fan-based ventilation system can help keep your attic and roof cool.
Reach out to a roofing contractor to learn more.
