The roofing industry is centuries old. While roofing technology has developed a great deal since the days of mud and straw, not all roofing choices are optimal for every situation. Through proper roofing choices for their properties, homeowners and businesses can reduce their energy usage. They can also help to reduce pollution from the burning of fossil fuels that causes global warming.
Sergey Taitler of All American Exterior Solutions explains how modern techniques practiced by his company are helping to make homes safer, more structurally sound, and more efficient as they help to protect our environment.
The Importance of Proper Roofing
A well-constructed roof is essential for any home or business. Having a good roof in place will prevent any issues from water leaks and loss of heating or cooling energy.
When a building owner is choosing which roof is right for them, there are a number of factors to take into consideration. The primary consideration is how well the roof will perform under many different weather conditions. The roof must be able to stand up to wind, rain, snow, and ice. The second consideration is how long the roof will last. Asphalt shingles, the most common type of roofing used in residential settings, generally last 20 to 25 years. Other roofing solutions like tile can last up to 50 years, though the investment needed to tile a roof is considerably larger than a simple asphalt roof.
Other considerations are which roofs are the most energy efficient. A poorly constructed roof can lead to energy loss, meaning that the home will require more energy to heat and cool. Reducing the use of fossil fuels to heat the home will have a beneficial effect on the environment.
A light-colored or “cool” roof reflects more of the sun’s rays and prevents excess heat from entering the home. This is especially useful in warm climates or in urban areas.
Protection Against Weather
The primary function of any roof is to keep a building and its contents safe under a variety of weather conditions. A durable and well-maintained roof does the best job of preserving the building.
As global warming alters the climate, weather events are becoming more extreme. This means that roofs will need to be constructed to stand up to increasingly difficult weather conditions.
Today’s quality roofs can be built to withstand severe weather events. Metal roofs are especially durable in this case.
Aesthetics
The final consideration is the attractiveness of the roof. Tile and slate roofs are often considered the most attractive, but these styles come at a price premium.
“Green” Roofs
“Green” and solar roofs are also becoming popular among home and business customers. Green roofs include some sort of plant life to help with energy-efficiency and to benefit the environment overall.
Green roofs reduce the urban heat island effect. This happens when an urban area traps heat, raising the temperature and causing residents to use more electricity to cool their homes. The addition of more vegetation to the environment helps to keep the urban heat island effect down.
The plant life on a green roof also helps to manage storm water runoff. It also reduces noise levels and increases the lifespan and durability of the roof.
Solar Roofs
Another relatively new development in the roofing industry is the dedicated solar roof. These roofs have solar panels and equipment integrated with them, which means that unsightly practices like drilling into the roof can be avoided.
Solar power significantly reduces energy costs. Many solar roofs, especially on larger buildings, produce so much energy that the excess can be sold back to the local electric utility. While solar roofs cost more than conventional roofs, this roofing technology adds an efficiency that is something to carefully consider when choosing a new roof for your home or business.
In addition to saving money for the building owner, solar roofs also have a beneficial effect on the world’s environment. When renewable energy like solar, wind, and water power is used, electricity coming from the fossil fuel-powered grid does not have to be utilized.
Excess use of fossil fuel energy is associated with an increased risk of global warming through the production of greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide. The building owner who chooses a solar roof can feel good about their positive impact on the environment.
Important Choices for the Environment
Efficient roofing technology is not only a benefit for a homeowner’s or business’s bottom line through the use of less energy, but it can also confer major environmental benefits for the health of our planet. When building owners choose the type of roof they want based on these criteria, they will be able to help themselves as well as helping to preserve the environment for future generations.
Sergey Taitler emphasizes the need for renewable energy and efficient roofing. Through an environmentally sensitive design, his company can provide an important service to its customers.
