Home & Energy Saving: Energy-Efficient Roofing Options

Sarah Jessica Smith - Contributing writer

Posted on Thursday 9th May 2019

 

Creating an ecologically friendly home is not only important for preserving the environment, but for your home budget as well. By saving energy, you’re actually saving money in the long run. However, an energy efficient home is not easy to achieve. There are so many surfaces like windows, walls, and the roof through which energy is lost. When it comes to the walls, you can isolate them and when it comes to the windows, you can always seal them but the roof is perhaps your biggest issue that is hard to solve because of the elements that keep battering it from above. Rain is your biggest adversary so you’ll carefully need to go through all the roofing options available in your area.

The best type of shingles

When it comes to roof shingles there are two basic types to choose from and these are shake and asphalt shingles. Both are considered energy efficient, but it is not all the same which type you decide to put onto your house. Shake shingles are in general considered durable and they have the structural advantage of allowing free air flow between the tiles. When it comes to sheer aesthetics, their shades of red and orange have become iconic by now. However, the final choice of the color and pattern is up to you as the owner. You can choose whichever color you like that fits the facade the best.

However, one issue that may arise with shake shingles is their level of maintenance that is generally higher than the one of asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles offered the same array of colors and patterns but their low maintenance does come with a twitch. During thunderstorms and under pressure from strong wind gushes they can break easily which means that you will have to replace separate shingles or the entire roof if the damage is extensive.

Roofer

Is metal good for the roof?

What if we told you that there is one material to cover your roof that is eco-friendly, easy to install and energy-efficient? The material we are referring to is metal that is both durable and long lasting. If you are worried about the effect that strong can have on the metal roofing, then we must see that all metal roofs come with a layer of insulation. This means that even during the hottest summer months the punishing salt New South Wales sun will not compromise the coolness inside your home.

Although, metal sheets can be installed on your own because they are lightweight individual sections of the roof, they are sometimes hard to replace so that is why you have to call reliable roofers in Sydney to help you with this task. Furthermore, working on height and handling sharp metal sheets can be dangerous at times, so it is better to leave this job to the professionals. Once the metal roof is up, pun intended, you will benefit from a cool house which is a huge advantage in comparison to living in an apartment. Finally, a fire-resistant metal roof will last decades without the need for special maintenance.

Going vintage: Tile roofing

One of the most traditional types of roofing are tiles. In terms of technology, they are not dated and their vintage looking can really make a difference when it comes to the appearance of the whole house. What is more, they are energy efficient, contrary to popular belief that they are an outdated roofing solution that will only increase the power bill at the end of the month. If you live in a warm and dry climate like Australia, then tile roofing is perhaps the best option to choose for your house. Like the metal sheets, tiles are good at reflecting sunlight and what is more, they have the ability to absorb moisture. In reality, this means that no matter how much rain falls on the roof, none of this water will end up inside your house, which is at the core of a watertight roofing solution.

Roof

Fit for the rain: Slate roofing

If you live in a region that gets a lot of rainfall during the year, then you should really consider slate roofing. This type of roofing is not only energy efficient, but it is a long lasting roofing solution. Knowing this, it is no wonder that stone slate roofing is almost considered historical and iconic in England. The sheer density on slate roofing is enough to isolate and insulate your home at the same time, saving you thousands of dollars on installing subsequent insulation. Since less material is needed to isolate the roof, the eco-print is smaller, thus preserving energy as well as money.

As you have seen from the roofing options listed, most of them are modern in design, eco-friendly, as well as energy-efficient. This means that the end decision that you have to make comes down to your visual preferences and the climate you live in. If you live in an arid part of the world like Australia, then metal panels or tiles are good roofing options but if you live in a place that gets a lot of rain, like England, then you can go with slate roofing.

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