With the official start date of summer a few weeks away, homeowners across the country are already enduring some heat. Air conditioning units can be helpful for maintaining comfortable temperatures inside the home, but if the house is not properly insulated, energy costs can skyrocket. If the windows and doors are sealed tight yet heat is still entering the home, the answer may be above your head.

Your Current Roof Might Be Making Your Home Hotter

Have you ever felt a blacktop parking lot after a long, sunny day? If so, you know that asphalt gets hot when it sits in the sun and stays hot after the sun goes down. In the same way, traditional asphalt shingled roofs tend to absorb heat, making the roof heat up. The heat gets trapped and goes inside, increasing the indoor temperature. The air conditioning unit senses the extra warmth and works harder to combat it. As a result, you will see bigger electricity bills.

Keep Cool Air in and Hot Air out with a Metal Roof

Unlike asphalt, metal roofing works to keep heat out so your air conditioner can take a break. Metal roof installation can be a bit costly, but its benefits far outweigh the costs. You could stay comfortable, keep energy use down and protect your home all year round with a new metal roof.

Heat Reflection

Rather than absorbing heat like asphalt shingles, a metal roof is design to reflect sunlight. The roof stays cooler, and no extra heat enters the home. Added pigmentation can help to re-emit up to 90% of heat that is absorbed into the home. In urban areas, this can reduce air temperatures by as much has 12 degrees Fahrenheit.

Low Carbon Footprint

For those who like to look at the big picture, choosing a metal roof is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. When less carbon is released in the air, the atmosphere as a whole can stay cooler. Metal roofing is made with up to 95% recycled materials. Using old materials for new purposes is one of the best ways to promote sustainability.

Metal roofs are also long-lasting and durable, which means they are highly sustainable. Depending on weather conditions, metal roofs can last over 50 years. That means no new materials need to be used or transported during that time aside from minor repairs. When it is time to replace the metal roof, it can be recycled and used again to continue the pattern of sustainability.

Other Benefits of Metal Roofs

As mentioned, metal roofs are extremely durable. They can withstand wind speeds up to 120 miles per hour and are fire retardant. Compared to traditional shingles, metal roofs are highly resistant to impact. Not only do these features keep you and your family safe, they reduce the need for maintenance and increase the longevity of your roof. This means that you will most likely save on upkeep costs as well as energy costs when compared to asphalt shingles. These savings add up over time, making metal roofs a much more cost effective choice despite the large upfront costs.

Metal roofs come in a variety of styles as well. Choose from metals such as steel, aluminum or copper which all have unique properties. Many manufacturers of metal roofing material offer different colors and special coatings to enhance refraction of sunlight and durability.

The benefits of metal roofs stretch far beyond staying cool and comfortable in the summer heat. The reflective and e-missive properties of metal will keep the heat out, and the proper ventilation of a newly installed roof can circulate the air. This gives your air conditioner a rest and keeps energy costs down. The whole process keeps carbon emissions low while protecting you from whatever natural elements come your way.