The buzzword “GREEN” has caused a great deal of consternation. A contractor just called to inquire about our metal roof’s compliance with EnergyStar. This was an excellent roofing contractor. He built some of the best shelters in my hometown of Houston, Texas. But he had no idea. How can you expect to know if he doesn’t know? Choose the best metal roofing.
Metal roofing has its buzzword: “COOL.” One of the paint manufacturers coined the term “cool” to characterize this additive to the paint that makes it more reflecting. Naturally, contractors’ brains spin when someone requests a “cool” metal roof. So let me explain why you want a white or bare Galvalume metal roof today (rather than a cool, green one).
If your energy expenses are anything like mine, you always look for ways to cut back. However, when it comes time to replace your roof, you have yet another option. Reflectivity and emissivity are huge words that merely describe the evaluation criteria for this decision. The heat/cold emitted through a material is measured as emissivity. The amount of heat reflected is calculated as reflectivity. Our goal is to be as unaffected by the elements as possible.
WHITE is the most reflective color! Only raw Galvalume shines brighter than white. The reflectance decreases as the colors get darker. Tans and oranges outperform greens and browns. The more heat reflected away from your conditioned area or attic, the less heat radiates into it. This is the sole criterion for EnergyStar roof products. They must have an initial solar reflectance of 0.25 or greater and an after-three-year solar reflectance of 0.15 or better.
That is not the case. So bear with me. Have you ever put your finger on a cast iron skillet with a flame underneath it? Isn’t it scorching? It becomes more comfortable as your hand moves away from it. How long would it take to cook pancakes if they did not come into contact with the skillet? Assume your roof is hung slightly above your deck rather than crushed on it. The amount of radiant heat transfer would be reduced. Guess what most home roofing contractors need to provide. Many systems on a standing seam metal roof panel use an offset clip to separate the board from the substrate. They are available with offsets ranging from 1/4″ to 1″.
My neighbor removed the soffit from his house and stated that his attic is much calmer now and that his electric bill is half what it was last year. It’s the same as opening the oven door. He previously had vent openings in the soffit, but the free air streaming through now is unrivaled. Apart from the beehives, it’s a fantastic idea. Ridge vents are far more common than soffit vents. To have a flow, you must have both.
In summary, the following are the advantages of metal roofing:
1) First Solar The chosen color’s reflectance must be greater than 0.25, ideally 0.50. Energystar.gov has a list of these roof products. It is not the product itself, but instead, its color and coating kind. In warm or hot conditions, emissivity is particularly valuable.
2) Choose a product that will sit above the deck. Two examples are corrugated panels with vertical highs (I prefer a hidden fastener system) or standing seam with offset clips.
3) The solution should also include Effective ridge and soffit venting. It is not only clever for the energy economy but also an excellent instrument for preventing moisture accumulation.
Incorporating these components into your future roof will reduce your energy bills while increasing the corners of your mouth.
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