Cool Roofs, A Cool Way To Save Energy

 

Garvey Roofing is a roofing contractor, that stays up to date on the roofing materials that are best for your home and for the environment.

How about a cool roof? Sounds great, doesn’t it? Especially when temperatures in the San Gabriel Valley routinely hit triple digits from August to October.

Look at the benefits:

  • Reflects a maximum of sun and absorbs as little heat as possible
  • Reduces energy bills
  • Creates comfort for non-conditioned areas like patios and garages
  • Leads to longer-lasting roofs

What is a Cool Roof?

On a standard roof, summer temperatures can reach 150 to 190 degrees.

In the same conditions, a cool roof can be 50 degrees cooler, according to Energy.gov.

The roof surface that’s exposed to the sun determines if a roof is considered “cool.” The coatings are white or specially made reflective pigments. This can work on any type of roofing material.

Cool Roofs can be Any Color

Cool roofs don’t have to be light-colored or white.

Manufacturer Certainteed, one of the leading brands that we use at Garvey Roofing, has cool roof products like Landmark Solaris and Presidential Solaris that can have high EnergyStar ratings even with rich, dark colors.

Many roofs in the U.S. and in the San Gabriel Valley still haven’t changed to cool roofing products. It’s not the color, it’s the reflectivity of the roofing material.

When necessary, we’ll use a white roof coating product like Henry’s which is highly reflective and asbestos free.

Cool Roofs are a System

All roofing companies have access to cool roof products. But here’s what makes Garvey Roofing stand out because of our knowledge.

If the plywood decking gets moist then it would dry out in the late spring to fall. With a cool roof, especially on commercial buildings, it may not dry as easily. Moisture can build and then it appears you have a leak.

We can prevent this by using the right membranes for the low-slope roofing of commercial buildings and still achieve a cool roof.

If the wood decking doesn’t dry and the ventilation in your attic isn’t done properly, then there’s a risk of mold forming.

Installing a roof to achieve your desired look, comfort, and energy efficiency isn’t just a matter of laying down new materials. It’s important to understand how the entire system works together.

That’s why Garvey Roofing is a roofing contractor for all seasons.