As a homeowner in Alabama, you know how brutal the summer heat can be. With temperatures regularly soaring into the 90s, keeping your home cool can be a major challenge – and a major drain on your energy bills. While having an efficient HVAC system is important, the roof over your head plays a huge role in your home’s energy efficiency as well. An old, outdated roof allows heat to transfer into your attic and living spaces, forcing your air conditioning to work overtime. Investing in an energy efficient roof can lead to significantly lower utility costs month after month.
At Hinkle Roofing, we specialize in installing top-of-the-line, energy-saving roofing systems that are ideal for Alabama’s climate. If you’re considering a roof replacement, here are some of the most energy efficient options to consider:
- Cool Roofs: Cool roofs are designed to absorb less heat from the sun’s rays, reducing the amount of heat transfer into your home. This is achieved through specialized reflective pigments in the shingles or tiles that reflect more sunlight than a standard roof. Cool roofs can be made from a variety of materials including metal, clay, concrete tiles, or asphalt shingles.
According to the Department of Energy, installing a cool roof can lower roof temperatures by up to 50°F which in turn reduces the heat transferred into the building below. This can translate into a 10-15% decrease in total cooling costs for the average home. Cool roofs are ENERGY STAR® certified and meet specific solar reflectance and thermal emittance criteria.
- Metal Roofing: While metal roofs have been around for centuries, they’ve become an increasingly popular energy efficient roofing option in recent years. Rather than absorbing heat from the sun like asphalt shingles, metal roofs reflect much of that solar radiation away from your home. Metal roofing materials like aluminum, steel, and copper have intrinsically high solar reflectance levels, though they can be further enhanced with specialized reflective coatings.
Beyond their excellent energy savings capabilities, metal roofs are durable, long-lasting, fire-resistant, and can handle the heavy rains and winds we often experience. Metal roofs typically last 2-3 times longer than asphalt shingle roofs. They’re also much lighter weight than other roofing materials which creates less structural stress on the home.
- Tile Roofing: Tile roofs, particularly those made from clay or concrete, offer superb energy efficiency and are a common sight on homes across Alabama. Tile roofing systems create an air space between the tiles and roof decking that allows for greater airflow and ventilation. This air channel acts as another layer of insulation to block heat transfer into the attic and living spaces below.
Tile roofs are naturally energy efficient in warmer climates since the tiles absorb less heat from the sun compared to darker colored asphalt or metal roofing. Choosing a light, reflective hue of tile further maximizes its energy saving benefits. With proper installation, tile roofs can reduce cooling costs by up to 25%. Tile is also an incredibly durable material able to withstand the harsh elements we face each year.
When done right, an energy efficient roof can be one of the wisest investments you make in your home. Hinkle Roofing’s team of experienced roofing professionals will assess your home’s specific needs and local climate challenges to determine which high-performance option is ideal for you. We install all our energy efficient roofing systems with skilled workmanship and the latest modern techniques.
Don’t let the Alabama heat drive up your cooling bills any longer. Contact us today at (205) 324-8545 or through our online form for a free roofing quote.to request a free consultation and estimate. We’ll help you maximize your home’s energy savings and comfort for decades to come.
