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Roofing
Beat the Heat with the Best Roofing Materials
by Shannon Dauphin
Choosing the right roofing materials for your home can have a significant impact on your cooling bill. This quick guide to roofing materials can help you beat the heat--and maybe put some cool cash back into your bank account.
The Best Roofing Materials
What you put on your roof matters greatly to everything you keep underneath it. Your roof is constantly subjected to extremes, so make sure your choice in roofing material can handle the heat. Here are a few of the more popular options and how they measure up:
What you put on your roof matters greatly to everything you keep underneath it. Your roof is constantly subjected to extremes, so make sure your choice in roofing material can handle the heat. Here are a few of the more popular options and how they measure up:
- Asphalt Shingles. Nine of ten homes in the United States have asphalt shingles. They are an inexpensive option, very durable, and easy to repair. However, the dark color of the asphalt means it will absorb more heat, and may make your cooling bills higher.
- Wood Shingles. Most wood shingles are made of cedar and add real flair to a home. Though they don't absorb as much heat as asphalt shingles, they aren't proven to lower cooling bills much, either.
- Metal Roofing . Metal roofs offer easy installation, care-free maintenance, and significant durability. They can also decrease cooling bills by up to 20 percent over asphalt shingles.
- Clay Tile Roofing. Tile roofing has been popular for over a century and has proven to be durable--with over fifty years of service in most cases! Clay tile also offers serious resistance to ultraviolet rays.
What is a "Cool" Roof?
A cool roof is one that doesn't absorb heat--rather, it reflects the heat, and thus lowers your cooling bills. These "reflective roofs" are lighter in color than the traditional dark roof, and often decrease energy bills by a significant amount. The easiest way to get a cool roof is by installing metal roofing or white clay tile.
A cool roof is one that doesn't absorb heat--rather, it reflects the heat, and thus lowers your cooling bills. These "reflective roofs" are lighter in color than the traditional dark roof, and often decrease energy bills by a significant amount. The easiest way to get a cool roof is by installing metal roofing or white clay tile.
New Roofing Materials Have Other Benefits
Choosing the proper roofing materials may not only cool your home, but might also bring in a nice tax credit. As part of the 2009 Recovery and Reinvestment Act, homeowners can earn a credit for 30 percent of the cost of roofing materials, up to $1,500, when an energy-efficient roof is installed.
Choosing the proper roofing materials may not only cool your home, but might also bring in a nice tax credit. As part of the 2009 Recovery and Reinvestment Act, homeowners can earn a credit for 30 percent of the cost of roofing materials, up to $1,500, when an energy-efficient roof is installed.
Save money on electricity and earn money for your efforts--what's not to love about "cool" roofing?
About the Author:
Shannon Dauphin is a freelance writer based near Nashville, Tennessee. Her house was built in 1901, so home repair and renovation have become her hobbies.
Source(s):
Joe Provey Choosing the Best Roofing Apr 01, 2003
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