Everyone knows that in the cold months it’s important to wear a winter cap to prevent your body from freezing. Just like your body’s temperature can be affected by your head not being covered correctly, your house is affected by how much heat or cold your roof absorbs and lets in. It is crucial to think about your home’s energy consumption not just in terms of using your air conditioning unit or furnace, but how much the materials and shape of your roof affect it.
Use Lighter Colours
If you’re building a new home or replacing your roof, then an important thing to consider is the colour of the shingles you will use. Light-coloured shingles or tiles will reflect the sun much better than darker shingles, which absorb the heat. This means that your home will be cooler in the summer months because there is less heat entering your home. And that, of course, leads to reduced air conditioning costs, and less reliance on fans.
If you have a flat roof, however, then you can use a light-coloured fiber-reinforced PVC membrane. Flat roofs are different from sloped roofs, and this affects their energy efficiency. On a flat roof, a layered membrane system, usually made of rubber, is installed over much more sturdy and robust insulation. Because it is flat this is called “continuous insulation”, since it goes along one plane, unlike pitched roofs. In general, flat roofs are more energy-efficient than sloped or pitched roofs, but a lighter-coloured membrane is a good idea to make it even more efficient.
Choose the Best Insulation
Insulating your attic is one of the essential parts of keeping your home warm when you want it warm, and cool when you want to cool. Both hot and cold air find their way into your home when your roof is not properly insulated, which is going to either drive up your air-conditioning or your heating/gas costs. This can make it very uncomfortable or even bad for the health of anyone who sleeps in an attic bedroom.
While you can install insulation yourself, it’s very messy, dangerous to breathe and will require a few friends to help. The safer option is to hire an experienced, qualified roofer who will install it for you, and who will also ensure to install only the best insulation for your home. So don’t take on this project yourself. Call professionals, such as roofing contractors Jackson Contracting, because they will be able to do it right.
Change Up What Have Been Using
If your roof was already in need of a replacement, then switch up what you’ve been using. Don’t just settle for using the same asphalt shingles you had before, or layering the same type of shingles on top of your existing ones. Instead, work with a professional to find out what materials you can use on your roof based on how your house is constructed. Let them know that you are looking to replace your roof with energy-efficient materials only, and they will be able to tell you the best materials for your home’s style, age, and the climate where you live. From slate to concrete to metal roofs, there are a number of alternatives to asphalt shingles that are not only durable but will save you money in energy costs.
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