Sustainability isn’t just a passing trend. It has practical benefits as well. Homeowners and companies alike are installing energy-efficient features in their home to cut down their power costs and carbon emissions.
However, some of these green features are relatively expensive. That’s why a lot of homeowners are still hesitant about them, despite their benefits. Recently, however, cool roofs – a cost-effective solution – has been making major strides in sustainability.
What’s a Cool Roof?
A cool roof has a reflective outer layer. Some think that a light-colored roof can be classified as a cool roof. Light colors, after all, reflect light. However, light colors aren’t enough.
Longer Roof Lifespans
Cool roofs are coated with a reflective coating that also protects your roof from ultraviolet (UV) rays and water. UV rays can quickly degrade your roof’s protective layers and cause cracks to form. Water can then infiltrate the underlying layer through these cracks, worsening the damage. The reflective coating can help protect your roof against these twin threats.
Lower Power Consumption and a Reduced Carbon Footprint
Since this coating reflects UV rays and solar heat, cool roofs absorb less heat. This, in turn, reduces the strain on your HVAC system and lowers your power costs and carbon footprint.
Prevent Urban Heat Islands
Businesses can greatly benefit from installing a cool roof as well. Concrete quickly absorbs heat. And, if the buildings are close to each other, as is the case in cities, their concrete surfaces can become hotter than the air itself and create an urban heat island. To offset the extreme rise in temperatures, buildings crank the air conditioners up. However, if businesses applied a reflective coating on their commercial roofing systems, they can reduce the amount of heat being transferred to the air and cut down their power costs.
To make sure you’ll get to enjoy all of the benefits of a cool roof, only hire a certified contractor.
Quality Assurance Roofing, a GAF Master Elite® contractor, offers commercial and residential roofing services. To get a free quote, call us at (479) 279-8500, or fill out this form. We serve homeowners in Rogers, AR.
