What Are Cool Roofs?
Sustainability is such a huge part of green building. From installing solar panels to using eco-friendly building materials, there are tons of ways you can reduce your carbon footprint and increase your energy efficiency. One way to make the move to green energy is by installing a cool roof.
What is a Cool Roof System?
A cool roof is a roofing system that creates higher solar reflectance and thermal emittance than standard roofing products. Solar reflectance is the process in which a roof reflects the sun’s UV and infrared rays, which reduces the total amount of heat transferred to a building or home. Thermal emittance is a roof’s ability to radiate absorbed and non-reflected solar energy. Dark colored and more standard roofs can reach temperatures of up to 150°F in the summer sun, while a cool roof in similar conditions can stay more than 50°F cooler. Cool roofs also can enhance a roof’s durability, reduce cooling costs, and reduce the urban heat island effect (when built-up areas are hotter than surrounding rural areas).
Cool roofing systems are an important part of sustainable building. Bridger Steel offers roofing and siding panels in cool roof colors, which are created with highly reflective paint to help the metal panels reflect sunlight and absorb less heat. It’s important to note that trapped heat in a roofing system can cause damage and require roofs to be replaced more often. Cool roofs can extend the life of a roof, especially in warmer climates, and reduce energy costs.
The Cool Roofing Rating Council (CRRC), was established in 1998 to create credible methods for evaluating and labeling the solar reflectance and thermal emittance of roofing products. This method has become an accepted part of the LEED application and known as Cool Roof Systems. The CRRC uses the Solar Reflectance Index Metal Roofing to rate Cool Roof Systems.
Benefits of Cool Roof System
Installing a cool roofing system can bring you many benefits. Here are some of the top benefits that are a result of cool roofs:
- Save Money: One of the biggest benefits is the amount of money homeowners will save. Cool roofs will reduce your cooling costs and other associated energy bills because they decrease the need for air conditioning. In some areas, homeowners can also be eligible for utility rebates. It’s also possible for some homeowners who install an ENERGY STAR compliant, pre-painted metal roof to be able to meet the requirements for additional tax credits. Money savings all around!
- Increase Roof’s Lifetime: Cool roofs can lower the costs of annual roof maintenance and simultaneously extend a roof’s lifespan. By lowering the temperature of your roof, these systems extend the life of your roofing system, once again saving you money.
- Increase Indoor Comfort: A cool roofing system also drastically improves the conditions inside the home. In areas that aren’t air conditioned, like garages or covered patios, homeowners will notice an increase in comfort level. You can avoid installing an air conditioner where there isn’t one due to these roofs improving indoor conditions.
- Decrease Energy Use: Since you won’t need to run your air conditioner as much, your cool roof will reduce a single home’s energy use. It also decreases the size of the air conditioning system needed and extends its life.
- Aid Climate Change: Cool roofing systems directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions since they help conserve electricity. By lowering the amount of CO2 emissions from power plants and helping lower your community’s Urban Heat Island Effect, by installing one of these roofs, you’ll help aid climate change!
Conclusion
Cool roofs provide a range of benefits, from reducing energy costs and improving indoor comfort to aiding in the fight against climate change. By choosing cool roofing systems and incorporating metal siding, you can enhance your home’s sustainability and performance. If you’re looking to make your home more eco-friendly, consider the advantages of installing a cool roof and metal siding for a modern, efficient, and durable solution.
