You can’t cut corners on roofing materials when building energy-efficient houses in Florida. Your roofing material can have a direct impact on other costs and savings because the sun is so hot for most of the year. What is the best roofing material for our area?
How to Rate Roofing
Roof materials that are energy-efficient must meet two main criteria. Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) is the first factor. Roofs absorb heat. The more they do so, the more heat is transferred into your home. It’s not just about color. Although you may think a lighter-colored roof will reflect more heat and light, the material is more important than color. Even if the asphalt is painted with reflective paint, it will absorb more heat than metal or tile roofing.
Second, emissivity is measured by how well the material emits heat. Surfaces that have a high emissivity stay cool.
Once you have made your choice, color becomes a factor. The SRI of the same material in lighter or darker shades will be different. Darker roofing tiles absorb heat more than lighter ones.
Clay, Concrete, or…Metal?
Clay tiles are very popular, as they are long-lasting, easy to maintain and clean, and resistant to heat absorption. However, they can be heavy and fragile.
Concrete tiles are relatively new. Although they are durable, their appearance may not last as long. They are light, and they are resistant to mildew and mold.
Metal is the best roofing material in Florida for homes that are energy efficient. Metal roofing is not the same as that used on barns or stables. Metal tiles are made of steel and made to look like tiles, shingles, or shakes. This is because they reflect heat and light, keeping your house cooler. You can reduce your cooling costs by a significant amount.
This post was written by Ted Williams! Ted is the owner of A Old Time Roofing which is the premier Clearwater Roofing Contractor! Ted is a Master Elite Weather Stopper GAF Roofing Contractor, a double award winner of Best Steep-Slope Contractor from GAF and achiever of Master Elite Consumer Protection Excellence from GAF. He has been serving the Pinellas County area since 1978. Old Time Roofing has a tradition of quality workmanship, servicing residential and commercial properties.