When it comes to making your home more energy efficient usually the first thing most home owners think about is never the roof of your home.If you are looking to increase your home’s energy efficiency there are many things you can do. From replacement windows and doors, energy efficient power strips, and greener appliances, there are lots of home improvements that can make a big difference. But one of the best things you can do to increase your home’s efficiency is getting a new roof in Ann Arbor Michigan. Here’s why we think it’s so important and can have such an impact on your home’s energy efficiency.
How a New Roof in Ann Arbor Michigan Can Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Roofs play a much bigger role in your home’s temperature than you may realize. Heat rises from your home into the attic and eventually the roof. With cold temperatures outside and leaks, you can easily lose this heat to the outside world. It can also cause snow to melt on your roof and then refreeze into ice. This is one reason why it’s so important to have proper ventilation and insulation in your home.
During hotter months heat can absorb through the roof and make your home much warmer than it should be. This requires you to use more electricity to run fans and air conditioning in an attempt to cool it down. To understand just how much a new roof in Ann Arbor Michigan benefits your home’s efficiency, consider these factors:
New Materials Has Renewed Durability
As your roof ages the materials begin to wear down and be less durable. This can make it more susceptible to leaks, damage and structural weakening. When you get a new roof you are removing all of the old and worn materials, and replacing it will brand new materials. This means that you are starting fresh with no leaks, cracks, holes or any other type of damage. Your roof will be more durable as well and will better withstand the elements. That will allow you to enjoy an issue free roof and the benefits of everything working ideally. Most of the roofing that is installed on homes in Ann Arbor MI have a warranty of 15 to 25 years. So if your roof is older than 15 years it may be time for a roof replacement.
Lighter Colors Help Prevent Heat Absorption
Because darker colors absorb heat, it is beneficial to go with a lighter color shingle. This can be a slightly lighter color, or a much lighter color depending on your aesthetic preferences. But the lighter your roof is, the smaller the chance that heat will be absorbed and retained into your home. You can also opt for reflective shingles to avoid heat absorption, as well as UV ray damage. Many of the roofing systems today have colors that can give you the look and feel you want along with the energy efficiency to reflect sunlight and UV rays.
Upgrade And Increase Insulation
Insulation is key in any home to help create a barrier between the interior and exterior of your home. Many homes still have old, worn and often ineffective insulation in their attics. By getting a new roof, you are also given a perfect opportunity to remove and replace your insulation. This will make sure that your insulation is safe, durable and at appropriate levels to properly separate your home from the temperatures outside.
Make Sure There Is Adequate Air Flow
If your roof does not have appropriate ventilation to allow air to flow, you are looking at a lot of trouble. Not only can it hold in heat and overheat your home, but also make it an ideal climate for moisture to turn into mold.
Install A Radiant Barrier
Another way to increase your home’s efficiency is by having a radiant barrier installed. a radiant barrier is placed underneath the shingles or roof covering and will help block heat from getting through. This is especially important for those hot summer months when you are trying to keep your home cool.
Talk With an Expert
To better understand how much a new roof can do for your home’s energy efficiency it’s best to talk with a qualified contractor to get pricing estimates for your home. Call A2 Roofing today to get a free quote at 734-548-9915 for more details and to get started.
