When it comes to choosing a new roof, there are a lot of things to think about: longevity, styles, designs, and more. While cost is of course a factor, how many materials can actually save you money in the long run? Homes are becoming more and more eco-friendly every year, designed to be better for the earth while saving on utility costs. But are metal roofs more energy efficient?
Are Metal Roofs More Energy Efficient?
Metal roofs offer significant energy efficiency benefits compared to traditional roofing materials like asphalt shingles. One of the key factors contributing to their energy efficiency is the way they reflect the UV and infrared light from the sun. Metal roofs reflect a substantial amount of the sun’s radiant heat, minimizing the heat absorbed by the building.
Metal panel roofing is an Energy Star-rated material due to its solar reflectivity, reducing the surface temperature of the roof and keeping your home up to 30 percent cooler during the summer months. This is why the term “cool roof” is often associated with aluminum roofing.
By reflecting heat from the sun and reducing the heat gain, metal roofs assist in decreasing the reliance on air conditioning, subsequently lowering cooling costs for buildings. Coupled with solar panels, your roof can actually start paying you!
Other Eco-Advantages
Reflecting the sun, and the energy savings it brings is just one of the many benefits of having metal roofing materials used on your home. When looking at sustainable products for residential or industrial applications, the durability of a product needs to be considered. If less material is needed over 40-70 years–and even longer–then less material must be produced.
Their extended lifespan, surpassing traditional asphalt roofs, means fewer replacements and less material waste over time. This durability not only decreases maintenance costs but also lessens the environmental impact associated with roof replacements.
Because aluminum doesn’t rust, rot, or hold water, it easily outlasts more traditional asphalt shingles or cedar shakes. If high-grade composite/asphalt roof shingles need to be replaced every 30 years, that’s three new roofs in the time of one metal roof.
A metal roof can save money in the long term as well as reduce the volume of materials that go to the landfill. It even takes material out of the dump, so to speak. Permalock, Taylor Metal, and Classic Metal aluminum roofing are manufactured using 95% recycled materials.
Even shipping aluminum roofing is cleaner and cheaper than asphalt shingle roofs – or any other type of roofing material. Weighing just a fraction of slate, cement, and even cedar shake shingles, more metal roofing can be delivered in fewer trips. Fewer trips mean fewer gas emissions.
Overall, the initial investment in a metal roof typically pays off in terms of energy savings and environmental benefits over the long term.
Are Metal Roofs More Energy Efficient? Only When You Work With Experienced Professionals
Asphalt shingles (otherwise known as composition shingles), cedar shakes, or slate tiles all have their pros and cons. Whether it’s cost, looks, or durability, traditional materials all fit certain parameters. However, metal roofing is one of the few materials that will save you money every month.
With all of the positive aspects of aluminum roofing, it’s all for naught if installed incorrectly. While metal roofing has been in production for several decades, it’s only become a popular residential roofing material in the last 20 years. And while many roofers have experience with composite roofing, there are very few metal roofing installers.
When choosing a roofer, it’s important to find one who has experience with the intricacies of metal roofing systems. While the roof deck and underlayment may be similar, there are technical aspects of metal roofing that need to be followed.
At Mountaintop Metal Roofing, that’s all we do. We have decades of experience with aluminum roofing and stay on top of technological advances, installation processes, and best practices to make sure our clients get the best roof available. After all, this will be the last roof they ever need.
As an Energy Star partner, Mountaintop Metal Roofing is a green roofing leader. Our metal roofs can save property owners up to 30% on energy costs over the long term. Our energy-efficient roofing system is superior to asphalt shingles or other roofing materials for lots of reasons.
Is it time to replace your roof or are you thinking about changing the look of your home? Follow this link to request a roof estimate from Mountaintop Metal Roofing. We’re happy to discuss energy savings, reflective coatings vs. granular coatings, solar reflectivity, solar energy, cool roofs, and solar radiation.
We can help you decide which type of coated metal roof is best for you. Our crews are experienced and professional and our customer service can’t be beaten. From Salem, OR, to Longview, WA, and the coast, we’re here to help.