02 Nov How Metal Roofs Reduce Energy Costs
Residential homes can benefit from metal roofing in a variety of ways, from their ability to withstand the elements, to their long lifespan (50 years minimum). In addition to those factors, one of metal roofing’s lauded benefits is it saves homeowners money on their energy bills. This guide will break down how metal roofs reduce energy costs, which is a benefit that doesn’t weaken with age.
Thermal Mass
The thermal mass of any given material is essentially its ability to absorb and retain heat. When roofing materials like asphalt shingles or tile absorb heat during the day, they’ll retain that heat even when nighttime arrives. They’ll also radiate that energy into your home. Metal roofing, on the other hand, will make managing the temperature in your house easier and less costly thanks to its ability to lose that heat once the sun sets. In fact, even a cool breeze can quicken the pace at which your metal roofing loses heat.
Reflective Coatings
High-quality metal roofing should always come with protection in the form of reflective coatings. The benefit of these coatings is that they, as the name suggests, reflect any radiant heat trying to work its way into your home. It’s not uncommon to think choosing a metal roof in a shade of black or other dark colors will diminish that reflective ability. However, this is not the case. No matter what color the metal roofing is, if it has a good reflective coating on it, you won’t have to worry about radiant heat getting through it.
Sufficient Airspace
When it comes to how metal roofs reduce energy costs, it goes beyond the nature of the metal itself. Certain types of metal roofing, such as shingles, are specially constructed in a way that prevents conductive heat transfer. This attribute is effectively accomplished by providing sufficient airspace in between two components: the metal roof and your decking lumber. That airspace acts as a conductive heat transfer barrier that, in tandem with the reflective coating and thermal mass, help cool your home down in a natural, energy-efficient, and cost-efficient manner.
If you’re ready to cut down energy costs with the help of a metal roof, we’re here to help. McCarthy Metal Roofing supplies metal roofs for residential homes in North Carolina. Remember, the color you choose won’t increase or decrease its ability to reflect heat from your home, so don’t be afraid to let your creativity run wild when shopping for residential metal roofs.