Part 2: Elements of a Good Roof Installation
Your roof is one of the most important elements on your home. Throughout the year, a quality roof can lead to energy savings. For example, during the summer months, a well installed roof will help vent hot air out while keeping cooler air in. While in the winter, hot air will be kept in, and the cold outside air will not leak into your house. This airflow regulation will allow your HVAC system to operate more efficiently, contributing to the lower energy costs for your home and prolonging the life of your furnace and air conditioner.
What Makes for a Good Roof Installation?
There are several factors you need to consider when planning your new roofing installation. It is important to work with your roofing company to ensure the best quality roofing to meet your needs. You should consider the following:
- Home location.
- Materials.
- Roof Ventilation.
- Who completes the installation.
Home Location
When approaching a roof installation, you need to consider where you live. This may seem like an obvious consideration, but it also one you cannot change. Where you live will impact when you can schedule the installation, what materials are available, and what weather conditions you need to factor in. A house in Miami, Florida will need to prepare for different conditions than a house in Chicago, Illinois. Because of this, you should talk with your local roofing replacement contractor, rather than only relying on internet searches.
Materials
When choosing roofing materials, you may find that there are a lot of changes. If you chose the wrong material, you may see that your HVAC systems are not working as efficiently as possible. How can the materials affect your home?
Solar Reflections
Roofing is exposed to heavy amounts of sunlight. Different materials reflect different amounts of solar lighting and radiation away from your house. The more light your roof is able to reflect, the more energy efficient your home will be. Sunlight brings heat to the earth, and your roofing materials may trap or reflect his heat. If you live in Miami, you may want to choose a material that reflects heat, as you experience warmer temperatures year-round. However, if you live somewhere that experiences longer stretches of cooler or cold temperatures, like Chicago, you may want to choose a material option that retains more heat. By choosing the best option for your area, you can greatly improve your home’s energy efficacies, which can in turn lower energy costs.
Material Makeup
You will find that you have several options of materials to choose from for your roofing. Depending on where you live, you may have access to materials such as: Asphalt, Clay/Ceramic, Metal, Wood, Etc. These materials can offer different benefits to your home, ranging from ability for solar reflection to longevity after installation. When you work with your roofing provider, you can determine the best balance of features to meet your needs.
Color
Some roofing materials can give you a choice of colors. Color can also contribute to lower energy costs and it can impact the aesthetic look of your house. Darker colors are more prone to absorbing heat, while lighter colors are better for reflecting heat. Despite these properties, you may chose a color that doesn’t prove energy benefits because you prefer the look of a different color.
Design
The type of roofing shingle and the design of the shingles will also impact your home’s efficiency. With the advance of technology, there may be a better design to improve the functionality of your roofing in your area. This may not have been an option the last time your roof was installed, but by updating the design of your roof, you may save money over the life of your new roof.
Ventilation
Airflow is a crucial component of your roofing system. By having proper ventilation, your home will be able to regulate the temperature more effectively. In a house, heat rises to the highest points, but it is trapped with nowhere to go, your heating and air conditioning systems will have to work harder to regulate the temperature. If the system to your roof vent is improperly installed, you may find that too much or too little airflow is happening, which can stress your HVAC system. You want to let out the heat during the hot summer months, but during the winter, you do not want the venting to allow the cold air into the house. It is crucial to work with your contractor to have the best set up for your house.
Who Is Installing Your Roofing?
It may be difficult to know who to work with for your roofing installation.
- Can you do it yourself?
- Do you know a guy who knows a guy?
- Should I go with the cheapest bid?
- Can my general contractor handle the work?
- How do I know I have the right company?
These are all good questions to ask yourself. So how should you choose the best people to install your roofing, to lower energy costs for your home? You should look for an experienced company with a good reputation in your area. For example, as a Wheaton roofing contractor, we have provided high quality roofing services and stand behind our 10-year residential installation warranty. We choose the highest quality materials, many of which come with at least a 40-year material warranty. By choosing a company like ours, you can be rest assured that you will receive the highest level of service, and ensure you have a roof you will enjoy for years to come.