All things will degrade over time. For many, it is inconvenient because of the cost and downtime required to replace the damaged components. However, it’s an excellent opportunity for many because it allows them the option to improve. You can typically experience this instance when you’re considering a roof replacement.
An excellent way to improve a building’s energy performance and save energy expenses is to replace the roof with new roofing material. As a result, upgrading roofs with sturdy, high-efficiency materials can result in significant energy and financial savings. A roof replacement is a fantastic chance to put insulation beneath your new roof, further enhancing energy efficiency.
When the time comes to have a roof replacement on your roof, here are some ideas you might want to consider increasing its energy efficiency:
Table of Contents
Factors to Consider
Insulation
Insulation placed beneath roofing shingles or tiles can significantly improve energy efficiency, lower energy costs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Materials made of plastic, like rigid foam boards and spray foam, have various benefits. These contemporary materials have high R-values for insulation, which significantly minimize energy transmission between indoor and outdoor spaces.
These contemporary materials have high R-values for insulation, which significantly minimize energy transmission between indoor and outdoor environments. They also reduce carbon emissions of new insulating materials because they are lightweight, strong, and long-lasting. Most are reusable and can last well past your next roof replacement.
Reflectivity and Absorption
The color of the outer roofing material significantly impacts the heat energy the roof receives. As a result of this energy transmission, the building will need more power to regulate temperature. You can reduce your building’s roof temperature when it reflects up to 30% high solar energy.
Lighter colors can reflect more light and heat while darker colors absorb more. Warmer climates can benefit more when they have white or light-colored roofs. In contrast, places in colder temperatures can have more advantages when they use dark-colored roofing.
Energy-Efficient Options
Rigid-Foam Insulation Boards
Professional roofers typically utilize rigid-foam boards produced from thick plastic foam sheets in many homes and commercial buildings, such as basements, living spaces, and attics, as roofing insulation.
Rigid-foam boards on roofs typically include reflective plastic coatings to reflect daylight and improve weatherproofing from rain and wind. They come in sizable sheets that are simple to install and have a high level of performance and toughness.
Rigid foam boards are beneficial when you need to keep a current membrane and insulation in place and re-covered with new board insulation and overlaid by a new membrane. You can maintain the initial R-value with the reduced installation cost.
Vinyl Roofing Membranes
Since they are lightweight and flexible, many professional roofers have used single-ply vinyl roofing membranes on flat and low-sloped roofs for years. Vinyl membranes are solid and water-repellent, whether in commercial or industrial settings.
Due to their welded-seam construction, which forms solid bonding at the seams and prevents water infiltration, vinyl membranes are also very wind-resistant. PVC membranes are suitable for industrial settings since they are fire- and chemical-resistant.
Vinyl roofing membranes have the natural capacity to reflect sunlight away from the building because they typically come in a light color that maximizes their reflective function. However, because of their low R-value, they must depend on the underlying structure’s high-quality insulation to comply with energy-efficiency code standards.
You can utilize vinyl membranes, like rigid-foam boards, to re-cover an old roof when you add a fresh layer of insulation. You can enhance their performance by installing energy-efficient roof hatches. You can also use them in “green roofs,” which combine soil, plants, and water management into an eco-friendly system.
Spray Polyurethane Foam
You can effectively insulate your roofs with spray polyurethane foam (SPF), externally and below other roofing materials. Applying SPF works wonders at sealing cracks and offering protection from rain, heat, wind, and moisture. It also requires little maintenance. Depending on the kind of foam used, SPF has an insulating R-value that ranges from 3.6 to 6.6 per inch.
You can apply SPF externally to many flat or low-pitched roofs to boost solar reflection and improve longevity. You can also use them as a light-colored foam or covered sealant. You can directly apply SPF to structural components, the underside of roof decks, and panels supporting shingles.
The foam expands as it cures and hardens, assisting in sealing cracks and binding with roofing materials to prevent the elements from penetrating attic spaces.
By fusing the roofing materials, SPF applied to the underside of a roof can offer excellent wind-uplift protection in regions that typically suffer strong winds from hurricanes or tornadoes. It strengthens a roof and improves its capacity to resist water and moisture brought on by the wind.
Structural Insulated Panels
Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are becoming more popular due to their superior energy efficiency and accessibility in various sizes and shapes. They consist of a stiff plastic-foam insulating center sandwiched between structural skins. It typically comes from Oriented Strand Board or OSB.
It combines the sandwiched structure’s robust strength and insulating properties. You can utilize SIPs throughout new buildings and as roofing elements with integrated insulation. To prevent moisture intrusion, these panels do need a waterproof membrane.
The Takeaway
These innovative, high-performance roofing materials provide several commercial and residential construction advantages, including improved energy efficiency, minimal maintenance, resilience, less weight, and more.
