How Your Roof Affects Your Electric Bill

When it comes to indoor temperatures at home, we're all guilty of the Goldilocks syndrome. Everyone wants to feel as comfortable as possible at home. If it's too cold we'll turn on the heater, and if it's too hot we'll keep the AC blasting, all to get indoor temperatures just right. 

But what if there's a dark asphalt shingle roof or a metal roof on top of your home soaking up the sun's energy all day long throughout the summer? All that heat transfers through to the interior, keeping your home at unpleasantly high temperatures, and keeping you dreaming of walking through the grocery store frozen section for some relief.

While AC is the simple solution for many, it's inefficient and expensive to cool a home with AC while the roof is simultaneously inviting more heat inside. You wouldn't leave the AC running with the windows wide open, yet when your roof is made of materials that absorb and retain lots of heat, it's virtually the same effect.

Energy Efficient Roofs

Fortunately, the technology used in roofing materials has come a long way over the past couple of decades, and certain types of roof coating are revolutionizing the industry. 100% Silicone or solar reflective roof coatings are often referred to as "cool roofs" because simply put, they keep homes much cooler than other types of roofing materials.  While asphalt, concrete, tile, and metal absorbs the majority of heat from the sun, many roof coatings reflect most of the sun's heat. Some types of roof coating are so durable and long-lasting, manufacturers stand behind them with a 50 year to a lifetime warranty, making them a smart investment guaranteed to last for decades. 

The best part? Depending on the type of roof you currently have, there is a good chance that roof coating can be applied right over the existing materials, restoring your old roof and making a costly full replacement unnecessary. 

What Types Of Roofs Can Be Coated With Cool Roof Coating?

Flat roofs are ideal coating candidates because standing water is often a problem for flat roofs, while sloped roofs have gravity helping to run off excess water.  A high-quality roof coating will not only cool down the temperatures inside, but it will create a seamless waterproof barrier over your roof that can withstand even permanent standing water.

Metal Roofs are another type of roof that can benefit greatly from a quality roof coating. It's extremely costly to fully replace a roof particularly one made of metal because we must take into consideration dump fees as well as the cost of a higher-end material. With a quality roof coating, you can preserve the life of your metal roof for decades more without, replacing it. Do some research on the best type of roof coating for your location's climate, only apply it over materials recommended by the manufacturer, and consult with a professional roofer if necessary. 

Do It Yourself

The best part? Since roof coating is painted on as a liquid and it then solidifies within hours, it's not too difficult for motivated homeowners to do it themselves.

To make sure you receive the longest possible manufacturers warranty available to you, it's important to have any roofing project completed by a licensed roofing contractor, as most manufacturers only grant a full warranty for their materials when installed by a professional.  However, for the homeowner who prefers to cut costs and take matters into their own hands, a roof coating is the best way to save your old flat or metal roof from a full replacement all while setting yourself up to enjoy years of future savings on energy costs.

Roofing Company Maui