Energy efficiency is becoming a top priority for many residential and commercial building owners. Whether it’s an effort to become more eco-friendly or simply reduce heating and cooling costs, ensuring your roof is as energy efficient as possible is very important.
What Makes Metal Roofs Energy Efficient?
Contrary to popular belief, metal roofs are actually extremely energy efficient. This is due to their reflective qualities. Unlike other roofing materials like shingles or asphalt, metal roofs reflect the sun’s UV rays rather than absorbing them. Plus, with proper underlayment and insulation installed beneath the metal roof itself, the roof acts as a great insulator in colder months. Metal roofs can actually save homeowners an average of 10-25% on their annual heating and cooling costs.
Metal roofs also last on average between 40-70 years, and the material can be recycled at the end of its lifetime. Bridger Steel’s metal panels are 100% recyclable, making them an even more energy efficient and eco-friendly building material choice. Due to their longevity, durability, and environmental performance, metal roofs are a great choice for those looking to be more energy efficient.
Cool Roofs
Cool roofing systems are another part of what makes metal roofs energy efficient. Cool roofs are roofing systems which create a higher solar reflectance and thermal emittance when compared to other roofing products. In terms of how cool roofs work, solar reflectance is a process in which a roof reflects the sun’s UV and infrared rays, and thermal emittance refers to a roof’s ability to radiate absorbed, non-reflected solar energy. There are multiple benefits to installing a cool roofing system, and energy efficiency is at the top of that list. Bridger Steel offers Energy Star compliant products in multiple cool roof colors.
Solar Panel Friendly
You can make metal roofs even more energy efficient by installing solar panels. Solar energy systems are becoming more and more popular across the country for those looking to be eco-friendly and save money on their heating and cooling costs. Bridger Steel’s metal panels are designed to withstand the weight of solar panel systems and last much longer than other roofing materials, which typically need maintenance every 10 years and will require you to disassemble and reinstall the solar energy system. Solar panels can reduce a home's environmental impact, increase its value, and increase its energy efficiency.
Rainwater Harvesting
Metal roofs make a great rainwater collection system. Rainwater collection is the process of collecting and repurposing run-off rainwater from a building. It can be used right away or stored for later use, and has many benefits. Metal roofing is a prime choice for this energy efficient and eco-friendly process because of its durability. Metal roofs also have lower concentrations of bacteria compared to other materials, especially when coated in an anti-microbial paint system that reduces the amount of potential contaminants that may grow on the roof. Of course, any rainwater that is harvested should always be filtered and decontaminated before use, regardless of the roofing material used. Metal roof’s outstanding ability to act as a rainwater collection system is just another way they’re an energy efficient choice!
Metal roofs and metal roofing systems are the obvious choice for both residential and commercial building owners looking to be more energy efficient. Whether you want to save money on heating and cooling costs or you’re looking to make greener, more eco-friendly choices, metal roofs are the optimal energy efficient choice.
If you’re interested in learning more about how metal roofs are energy efficient, or you’re ready to get a quote, get in touch with a Product Specialist today. Our team of experts can help you choose the perfect panel, color and finish, and gauge specific to your project’s needs.