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Each year, energy-efficient roofing becomes increasingly important to potential homebuyers. And that’s especially true in Florida, where we see an average of 230 sunny days per year. But while many homeowners know that energy efficiency is important, there are still a lot of questions about energy-efficient roofing options and what you can do to improve the value of your home by going green.
But Classic Roofing and Construction knows all about energy-efficient roofing, and we’re happy to share our decades of experience with our local communities. So keep reading for a review of some of the best “green” roofing options available in Florida.
Energy-Efficient Roofing: Solar
When you think of energy-efficient roofing, solar is probably one of the first things that comes to mind. And for good reason—solar roofing options can generate their own power and lower your monthly energy bill. But many people don’t realize that there are actually options when it comes to solar roofing in Florida. And at Classic, we’re experienced with both solar panels and solar shingles. So let’s take a look at what each solar roofing option can do for you.
Solar Panels
Solar panels are a classic option for energy-efficient roofing. And there’s a lot to love about them—they last for 25 years, and they contribute to a very efficient solar roofing system. This efficiency is due in part to the construction of solar panels and how they’re installed. Since they sit on top of a roof, there’s space between the panel and the roof for air to flow and cool down the area. As a result, the system is unlikely to overheat and instead continues operating at peak efficiency.
CLASSIC ROOFING – FAMILY OWNED AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY FOR OVER 20 YEARS
If solar panels have one downside, it’s the aesthetics. They’re designed for function, not style, and the bulky appearance can be off-putting for some homeowners. But if you’re interested in getting the most energy-efficient roofing option possible, solar panels are a great place to start.
Solar Shingles
Solar shingles are an exciting new roofing technology that uses solar energy cells in the same way that solar panels do, but with a few differences. For one, solar shingles are much more aesthetically pleasing—they install like a skylight, so they don’t disrupt the beauty of your roof. This makes them a great option if you want to go green without sacrificing curb appeal.
And there’s some evidence that they may be even more durable than solar panels. Because this technology is so new, there is no proof yet that it can last longer than 25 years on average, but experts estimate that solar shingles should last even longer than solar panels when properly installed.
But solar panels do have their drawbacks as an energy-efficient roofing option. For one, they’re more expensive than solar panels. And while they look better, solar shingles are less efficient than conventional panels. This is partially because there’s no airflow beneath them, which can cause them to overheat. But still, if you want a sleek, elegant solar roof, then solar shingles are definitely the way to go.
Energy-Efficient Roofing: Cool Roofs
Solar roofing is definitely what most people think of when it comes to green roofing options. But there are plenty of other ways to achieve energy-efficient roofing. This includes having a roof with cool roofing status, which means that it reflects heat away from your home. As a result, your air conditioning system doesn’t have to work as hard, which lowers your home’s total energy consumption.
Cool roofing can be achieved by UV-reflective roofing materials, bright colors like white, or by chemical additives to paint. As a result, there are a wide variety of cool roofing materials available. For high-slope roofs, some of the most energy-efficient roofing options are:
- Light-colored asphalt shingles
- Terra-cotta or light-colored clay tiles
- Concrete tiles with light-reflective polymer coatings
- Painted metal roofs
But cool roofing isn’t just for high-slope roofs. There are plenty of materials that allow flat roofs to be an energy-efficient roofing option, including:
- Single-ply roofing membranes like TPO or EPDM
- Built-up roofing with reflective cap sheets
- Modified bitumen with reflective cap sheets
As you can see, you have plenty of options when wanting to install a cool roof. But even this isn’t the full extent of Florida’s energy-efficient roofing options.
Other Options for Energy-Efficient Roofing
We’ve covered the most flashy ways to get energy-efficient roofing in Florida, but there are other, subtler options as well. And the great thing about these is that they can be applied to almost any roof, regardless of material.
One of the best ways to get energy-efficient roofing is to invest in additional insulation. By applying insulation to the interior of your attic, you can keep the cool air inside during the hot summer months, which will go a long way in lowering your energy bill and reducing your carbon footprint. Alternatively, you can add a layer of insulation between your underlayment and your roofing material. Or if you’re really committed to getting an energy-efficient roof, you could do both!
Another important factor in energy-efficient roofing is making sure that your attic is well-ventilated. When an attic lacks proper ventilation, hot air can get trapped in the home, which makes cooling it especially difficult. But when properly ventilated, your attic should let hot air out and allow fresh air in, helping to naturally regulate your home’s temperature. As an added bonus, this also helps prevent moisture buildup!
Following all of this advice will give you a world-class energy-efficient roof. But there is one more factor to consider, and it’s arguably the most important.
The Best Energy-Efficient Roofers
Who you choose to install your roof is just as important as what they install. Even for the best energy-efficient roofing system, improper installation can lead to catastrophic failures that reduce the life of your roof and lower its energy efficiency. That’s why you need to be sure that you’ve got the best of the best working on your roof.
And at Classic, we’re hands down the best people to improve the energy efficiency of your roof. Whether you want to upgrade to a solar option or you’re looking for a total roof replacement, we’ve got you covered. But don’t just take our word for it—our reviews and our GAF Master Elite certification make it clear that we never skimp on the quality of our work. But what makes us different from other Florida roofing companies?
In addition to 20 years of roofing experience in the Greater Tampa Bay region, we also have the best crews. Because unlike our competitors, we never use subcontractors. Where other roofing companies use inexperienced subcontractors to cut corners, we only use experienced, in-house roofing professionals. This way, we ensure that your roof is properly installed. And unlike subcontractors who may or may not show up the next day, we can always hold our experienced crew accountable for the quality of their work. And that means better results and better customer service for our local community members.
So what are you waiting for? It’s never been easier to get a free roofing estimate, either online or with an in-person inspection. Get your free, no-obligation estimate and see why Florida loves our energy-efficient roofing solutions.
Energy-Efficient Roofing FAQs
1. Q: What is energy-efficient roofing?
The phrase “energy-efficient roofing” refers to roofing practices that reduce the energy requirements of a building. For example, solar panels can improve energy efficiency by generating their own power, or metal roofs can be energy efficient by reflecting heat away from the structure and lowering the amount of work that an air conditioning system has to do.
2. Q: Are all light-colored roofs energy efficient?
A: While having a light-colored or white roof does help reflect UV rays away from your home, this is not the biggest factor in whether or not a roof is energy efficient. Other factors have a bigger impact on energy efficiency, like the type of material used or whether or not it has a UV-reflective coating.
3. Q: Why is energy-efficient roofing important?
A: In addition to lowering your monthly energy bill and reducing your carbon footprint, energy-efficient roofing comes with many secondary benefits. These include a more comfortable temperature in your home and even extending the lifespan of your new roof!
4. Q: How do cool roofs work?
A: Cool roofs work by reflecting heat away from your roof. This means your air conditioning system won’t have to work as hard to cool your home, which both saves energy and lowers your monthly bill.
5. Q: Can I make my roof energy efficient without replacing it?
A: Yes! While a roof replacement is a great time to look into energy-efficient roofing, it is not the only time that you can make upgrades. You can do things like adding solar roofing solutions or improving your roof’s insulation without replacing the entire roofing system.
Best Energy-Efficient Roofing Options Video
