We bet that when it’s summer in the middle of a heat wave, and you start to strategize about ways to keep your home cooler, you don’t think about your roofing.
But you should.
Roofs are directly exposed to the sunshine all summer long, and like everything under that sun, the shingles absorb a lot of heat. They release some of that heat into your home, and that contributes to high temperatures and keeps your air conditioner working extra hard.
You can lower your home’s overall temperature through the summer if you invest in a cool roof.
What is a Cool Roof?
While many shingles absorb heat, cool roofing is made of shingles which reflect away more of the heat.
The ability of shingles to reflect heat is measured on a scale called the solar reflectance index (SRI). The higher the SRI, the more of the sun’s heat the shingle can reflect away from your home.
Cool roofs offer more than just energy efficiency benefits for your home. They can also:
- Reduce the urban heat island effect, making temperatures in cities more comfortable for everyone.
- Slow the formation of fog, which depends on high temperatures in the outside air.
- Reduce energy demand at peak times during the day, making for a more stable power grid.
Choosing a cool roof is a good decision for your own pocketbook and to support local sustainability efforts. After all, the need for cool roofing came from California’s Title 24- Building Energy Efficiency Standards. The need to meet these standards is what drove shingle manufacturers to innovate on shingles that could better reflect heat.
Keep in mind that in our cooler climate here in Chicago, cool roofing will absorb less heat in the winter. This typically has much less of an impact on energy efficiency than repelling heat in the summer.
Should I Buy a Cool Roof Now?
The question behind your question is probably: is it worth it to replace my current roof early and add a cool roof?
Probably not.
The amount that you may save on utility bills is unlikely to make up for the cost of a whole roof replacement done a few years early. But is it worthwhile to choose a cool roof when you already need a roof replacement, or will soon? Absolutely.
What About Cool Roof Colors?
Those who were at all familiar with cool roofing before reading this may think that cool roofing is limited in color selection.
That was once true, but recent advances in shingle technology mean that most major manufacturers of shingles in North America are offering cool roofing even in very dark colors. So, you can likely find a shade of cool roofing that works with your home even if you need it to be dark.
As always, you will need the expertise of a professional roofer for the selection and installation of your cool roof.
The Len Roofing & Remodeling Difference
When we say that we’re a top-quality home remodeling and roofing company that serves the North Shore and surrounding Chicagoland area, we back it up. We do more than simply cover the basics: we show up on time and nail it. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 847-768-6000 or visit our contact page.
