Cool Metal Roofing—A Hot Idea

BELFAIR, Wash., Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being released by the Metal Roofing Alliance:

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110901/DC61472)

Despite years of trying to raise awareness about energy conservation, less than half of the homes in the United States are well insulated, with properly sealed ductwork.  The Energy Star program reports the average U.S. household spends more than $2,200 a year on energy bills, with nearly half going to heating and cooling costs.  The annual costs continue to rise. Metal roofing is a new tool in the energy wars,  because of its ability to reduce both cooling and heating energy usage.  Unlike insulation, which some homeowners skip, every home needs a roof.

Driven to reduce energy costs and make long-term improvements to their homes, more homeowners than ever are installing durable and environmentally friendly metal roofing systems.  According to new statistics from McGraw-Hill Construction Research and Analytics®, the number of homes with metal roofs has more than tripled over the past decade, moving metal from 3% of the overall U.S. market to 10%.

Although metal may initially seem an unlikely choice for cooling, recent advances are allowing metal to shed its "cat on a hot tin roof" image.  In fact, many residential metal roofs now utilize reflective pigment technology, which results in overall home energy efficiency and lower utility costs.  Available in a wide variety of finishes, colors, textures and profiles, cool roofing products include unpainted metal, pre-painted metal, and granular-coated metal.  

Highly reflective "cool" colored metal roofs look just like traditional roofs, and provide year-round relief from rising energy costs. The pigments in a cool metal roof reflect solar heat gain instead of absorbing it.  As a result, homeowners who choose metal immediately see a change in their energy bills.  Even utility companies applaud cool roofing because it reduces peak energy demand (PED) during summer afternoons, which can help prevent power disruptions.  

"A metal roof doesn't have to be white to be highly reflective.  Curb appeal rules, and a white roof is just not appropriate in many cases," said Bill Hippard, president of the non-profit Metal Roofing Alliance.  "Rather than hear complaints from neighbors, many homeowners looking to reduce year-round energy costs are choosing darker colored, yet highly reflective, metal roofs."

For more information on the economic and environmental benefits of metal roofs, visit the Metal Roofing Alliance at www.metalroofing.com.

SOURCE Metal Roofing Alliance