How Metal Roofing Can Help You “Go Green”

Roofing is one of the most popular types of home improvement. Fortunately, it is also one of the easiest ways to do your part in helping the environment. A large part of “going green” has to do with energy conservation-and where else can you see those benefits best but with a metal roof? Heat, cold, sunlight, wind, rain and snow pummel your roof through every season, making your roof the most important line of defense in protecting your home from the elements. So it is easy to understand why homeowners insist on the kind of quality workmanship and exacting standards green remodeling has come to stand for.

Metal roofing is a popular choice for today’s environmentally dedicated homeowners because they are made from recycled materials, are again recyclable when being replaced are offer most-wanted qualities of longevity, durability and energy efficiency.

How you can make sure your metal roof is also a green roof? Here are some tips to conserving energy with a metal roof:

• Metal roofing transmits less solar heat into your attic than other roofing materials like asphalt. This is because metal roofs are thinner and retain less, but reflect more, heat, particularly when painted specific colors.
• Choose a galvanized finish or a white painted metal roof because light colors reflect and dark colors absorb solar heat. A galvanized or white painted finish metal roof means a cooler home and lower cooling bills, particularly if your air conditioning ductwork is in your attic.
• Consider installing radiant heat barriers under your roof. These are thin layers of metal insulation that reduce as much as 95% of all radiant heat transfer into your attic.
• Metal roofs channel are excellent raincatchers, so consider installing drums to catch valuable rainwater and runoff for use in landscaping, and save money on your water bill too!

By thinking carefully about and planning for your needs, you can be assured that your metal roof will translate into energy savings.

But saving energy is not the only consideration. Living more safely and comfortably with your green metal roof is also important. Be sure to follow these tips:

• Insist on Purchasing Lead-Free Roofing: The smallest amounts of lead can cause a host of tragic health consequences, especially in small children and the elderly. Ask if the metal roof you plan to purchase is lead-free (Check on the metal alloy and the coating).
• Install Your Roof Properly: In this do-it-yourself age, you might think you can install your new metal roof. However, poor installation can cause attic moisture, water damage, mold, rot and other unwanted problems that can also lead to damaging your health. Hire a qualified roofing contractor like Global Home Improvement who knows how to work with metal roof installation.
• A Steep Pitch is A Good Thing: A steep pitch discourages leakage, standing water, ice dams, and snow buildup. Moisture penetration, water damage and mold growth are avoided and your roof will last a long time.
• Proper Attic Ventilation: Adequate ventilation in your attic is crucial to a healthy roof. Keep air circulating with ridge, soffit and gable vents for a cooler home environment during the summer and reduced winter condensation, once again helping you to avoid issues of rot and other damage from water.

Is going green with a metal roof right for you? Talk to the professional roofing contractors at Global Home Improvement in Philadelphia, PA to learn more.