Good for the Environment and Your Wallet
Metal is one of the most energy efficient roofing materials available and can save your home up to 40% in energy costs and provide excellent insulation during the winter. The secret to metal roofing's energy savings is in its variety of finishes. The basic, unpainted metal roof will reflect more solar radiation than an asphalt roof, which absorbs and holds heat. For homes in warmer climates, pre-painted or granular coated metal roofing systems reflect solar energy and cool your home by re-emitting most of what solar radiation is absorbed. A highly reflective and highly emissive painted or granular-coated metal roof is optimal for reducing energy consumption and can actually re-emit up to 90% of absorbed solar radiation. (NOTE: Reflectance in relation to metal roofing refers to UV and Infrared light rays being reflected from the roof surface. These rays are what impact the heating / cooling of the roof surface.)
Cool-Metal Roofing
The most effective energy-saving finish for metal roofing is commonly referred to as cool-metal roofing. This highly reflective coating uses cool pigments in the paint to increase solar reflectance and lower the surface temperature of the roof. Cool-metal roofing systems help reduce the energy need of air conditioned buildings and makes unconditioned buildings more comfortable. Many cool-metal roofing systems are also ENERGY STARⓇ certified and may qualify for tax incentives.
Passive House Ready
At the highest rank of energy efficient homes stands the Passive House Institutes Certification. Due to metal roofing’s incredibly efficient solar reflectance and thermal emittance, metal is the ideal roofing material for the construction of a net-zero energy home. Metal roofing is also Passive House ready in several key areas:
- Metal roofs protect their insulation backup better which ensures strong long-term thermal resistance.
- Passive House Certification requires airtight construction which is one of the benefits of the inherent air barrier quality of metal panels.
- Metal roofing is a perfect candidate for high efficiency windows and skylights which maintain certification qualities.
Solar Friendly
Solar energy panels can easily be installed on metal roofs, sometimes even with attachment solutions that do not penetrate the roof system. Since the service life of the metal outlasts the service life of the solar energy system, installations can occur even on existing metal roofs. The ease of installation, roof cooling maximization, and long lasting durability of the metal roofing under your solar panels make solar an easy upgrade for your home with countless benefits.
For more information on how metal roofing is a natural choice for mounting solar PV.
Comparing Roof Types
See how metal roofs stack up against other roofing materials including asphalt, tile, slate and wooden shake.
Metal Roofing FAQs
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