Metal Roofing Features and Benefits – Part 2: Metal Roofing and Energy Efficiency
By Stacy MelleteMore and more homeowners are paying attention to energy efficiency. Others see it as a way to benefit from tax credits, while there are those making the move to energy-efficient homes as an effort to do their bit for the environment.
Whatever the case, one of the most effective ways to improve home energy efficiency is to install the right type of roofing system.
What Makes Metal Roofs Energy-Efficient?
It may not be easy for everyone to believe that metal roofs are energy-efficient, much less cool. After all, metal conducts heat, right?
A metal roof’s energy efficiency comes from its reflectivity, which is the ability of a material to bounce back heat, and its emissivity, which is the ability of a material to emit heat.
Metal roofs have finishing coatings that are originally meant to protect the roofing material from daily wear and tear, as well as weathering from the elements. Coincidentally, these coatings also make the metal roof highly-reflective and emissive.
When heat from the sun reaches a metal roof, most of it is reflected from the roofing surface. Meanwhile, because metal roofs are typically pre-painted or have granular coating, they are also able to re-emit any absorbed heat back into the atmosphere.
In fact, metal roofing with granular coating re-emits up to 90% of the heat it absorbs, leaving very little warmth to be transferred into a structure.
With heat reflected and emitted, it is unlikely to make its way into your home, keeping passive heating at bay. With ideal conditions inside the home easily met, your HVAC system need not work as hard to keep you cool during the warmer months and warm during the colder months. We are a metal roofing contractor Tampa FL.
In the next post, we’ll delve into another aspect of metal roofing many homeowners love: the wide variety of available colors and styles. Stay tuned for Part 3!