Hot Weather, Cool Roofs
Where we live, it gets hot! Next time you’re outside and see someone on a roof, give them a toast because temperatures can be up to twenty degrees hotter up there.
With temperatures on the ground regularly reaching over 100 degrees, summertime means shifting our working hours and taking extra steps to protect our workforce from heat illness. We often start our days before 5 a.m. so we can be finished before the afternoon heat sets in. Sometimes, we’ll even work overnight if it’s a large project - all in the name of escaping the sun.
To protect from heat illness, we hydrate as much as possible and take regular breaks in the shade. Just as we wear light-colored clothing to absorb less heat, cool roofs are designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than a standard roof. Nearly any building would benefit from a cool roof. Some cities or energy companies may even offer a rebate program to help with the cost of installing a new cool roof.
Benefits of a cool roof
A cool roofing system stays about fifty degrees cooler than a standard roof. Their cost is comparable to that of a normal roof, but they offer savings in other ways, like with lower energy bills. According to the Cool Roof Rating Council, homeowners who install cool roofs stand to save an average of 7 to 15 percent on home cooling costs. Cool roofs also:
Decrease indoor temperatures by reflecting sunlight
Reduce air conditioning needs and energy bills
Extend your roof’s lifetime by reflecting ultraviolet rays which weather roofs
Minimize your carbon footprint
For a cool roof example, check out the Malarkey Ecoasis NEX shingles we offer. These cool roof shingles even have smog-reducing granules from 3M, meaning your roof will have the same smog-fighting potential as two trees! Additionally, most cool roofs are compliant with California’s Title 24.
If you are not ready to commit to a complete cool roof reroof, we can apply a cool roof coating over your current roof, which offers similar benefits.
To learn more about cool roof services, contact Harbert Roofing online or at 530-223-3251.