The summer is prime time for re-roofing, with many homeowners looking to keep cool during the summer heat. Roofs can make a big difference in keeping homes cool during extreme temperatures, and the roofing materials chosen can go a long way to helping improve energy efficiency. The Metal Roofing Alliance is combating the notion many homeowners hold that metal roofs conduct heat and cause temperatures to rise, arguing metal roofing is one of the most energy-efficient roofing-material options available.
Low-glare metal roofs reflect mostly non-visible, infrared and UV rays, the kind that produce the most heat and are the most damaging, emitting as much as 85% of solar heat gain. That means homeowners do not need to worry about their rooftops giving off a shiny glare, even in bright sunshine. Even darker color metal roofs will help lower home temperatures during sizzling summer weather.
Known as "Cool Roofs," ENERGY STAR-qualified metal roofs can help save energy by lowering roof temperatures by up to 50%. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that an ENERGY STAR labeled roof can lower roof temperatures by as much as 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Even basic, unpainted metal roofs will reflect more solar radiation than asphalt roofs.
