“Cool” is probably not the first word that comes to mind when you think of a metal roof. So you might be surprised to hear about a new breed of metal roof that actually reflects solar heat instead of absorbing it. In fact, many residential roofs now utilize this reflective pigment technology, which can reduce both cooling and heating energy usage.
The Energy Star program reports that the average U.S. household spends more than $2,200 a year on energy bills, with nearly half going to heating and cooling costs. Looking to lower energy costs and make long-term improvements to their homes, more homeowners than ever are installing durable and environmentally friendly metal roofing systems. According to new statistics from McGraw-Hill Construction Research and Analytics, the number of homes with metal roofs has more than tripled over the past decade, moving metal from 3% of the overall U.S. market to 10%.
Cool roofing products are available in a wide variety of finishes, colors, textures and profiles and include unpainted metal, pre-painted metal and granular-coated metal. These highly reflective metal roofs look just like traditional roofs and provide year-round relief from rising energy costs. Homeowners appreciate them because they have an immediate effect on energy bills, and utility companies appreciate them because they reduce peak energy demand during summer afternoons, which can help prevent power disruptions.
If you’re worried that a metal roof has to be white to be highly reflective, you can rest assured that is not the case. “Curb appeal rules, and a white roof is just not appropriate in many cases,” acknowledged Bill Hippard, president of the nonprofit Metal Roofing Alliance. “Rather than hear complaints from neighbors, many homeowners looking to reduce year-round energy costs are choosing darker colored, yet highly reflective, metal roofs.”
For more information on this environmentally friendly, money-saving roofing option, visit the Metal Roofing Alliance’s website, www.metalroofing.com.
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