Choosing the right type of roofing for your residential space is hard. With plenty of options, the decision becomes even harder. However, with the climate change scene being too real, the only thing to focus on is being energy efficient.
You need to make your residential space energy efficient, i.e., using building materials that are naturally energy efficient. The objective should be to use materials that absorb less heat and keep your residential space naturally cool without HVACs. Can residential shingle roofing be of any help? Let’s find out what the best residential roofing contractors in Greenville have to say.
What is Residential Shingle Roofing?
A residential shingle roofing is a type of roofing made from overlapping materials. These materials are laid from the bottom of the roof to way up one over the another. These are typically rectangular in shape and flat.
It is also the most commonly used roofing nowadays. Being energy efficient, the hype isn’t dying anytime soon as well. Also, shingles are available in varied colors and textures that make them popular amongst house owners. They also add a touch of luxe to the residential space and make them look more aesthetic.
What are the Types of Residential Shingle Roofing in Greenville?
There are various types of residential shingle roofing – asphalt roof shingles, metal shingles, steel shingles, aluminum shingles, wood shingles, rubber shingles, copper shingles, and other myriad materials.
Each residential shingle type has its own advantages in terms of costing, installation, climate changes, and energy efficiency. Let’s know the most energy-efficient residential shingle roofs.
How are Residential Shingles Energy-Efficient?
According to residential roofing contractors in Greenville, not all types of shingles are energy efficient. If you are particularly making energy efficiency your main consideration, you need to look accordingly.
Here is what makes shingles roofing energy efficient:
1. Solar Reflective Index
The better the ability of the roof to reflect heat, the cooler your residential space can be. Solar Reflective Index (SRI) measures the same. The higher the SRI, the better it is. If your roof’s SRI is around 40, it can lower the temperature of the roof’s surface by 13 degrees, just saving 15 to 20% of the energy bills.
For this, you should look for residential shingles in light colors to reflect the maximum amount of heat. The roof absorbs the lesser the heat, the cooler the attic stays. When the attic is cooler, the house’s temperature stays cool.
However, for colder climates, the situation needs to be reversed.
2. Ventilation
When selecting residential shingles, make sure they are compatible with most roof vents. Also, to make your residence energy efficient, you should choose the right type of roof vents.
You can use more than one type of roof vent on shingles. When using shingle roofing, you can use the box vents, soffit vents, and even ridge vents.
Proper roof attic ventilation is important for keeping the house cool. Hot air rises and gets to the attic. Proper ventilation in the attic is thus important to transfer the heat from the attic and away from the house. Attic temperatures are comparatively higher as compared to the outside temperature. Thus, shingles with proper ventilation are a must for an energy-efficient home.
Greenville Energy-Efficient Resident Shingles
Two of the most energy-efficient resident shingles are:
Shake shingles
Shake shingles roofing is made from wood, most commonly cedarwood or California redwood. The wooden pieces are hand-split from wooden logs in rectangular shapes and then made to fit one over another in the form of shingles.
These residential shingles are energy efficient as they are durable, can withstand severe storms and winds, and naturally stay cool. They allow better air circulation at home and are typically ideal for hot seasons.
The shake shingles provide an aesthetic and rustic look. Shake shingles are also light-colored. Light-colored roofs reflect heat better and thus reflect away the sun’s radiation. This allows residents to save their power bills. These shingles are also thicker, which explains their ability to maintain temperatures.
The shake-style shingles are low maintenance as compared to the wood shingles. They do not rot or catch mildew easily due to their thick layer. They are strong enough to shield themselves from harmful UV rays as well.
Asphalt shingles
Asphalt shingles are of three types mainly: 3-tab, fiberglass, and architectural. 3-tab are the most affordable as they are lightweight and have a base of organic mat paper.
Architectural shingles are the most durable. They last for about 30 to 50 years and provide valuable aesthetics like shake shingles. They are low maintenance and energy-efficient, as well.
Asphalt shingles are the most non-absorbing and heat-reflecting shingles available. Also, nowadays, manufacturers have come up with the new type of asphalt shingles with advanced means.
Such asphalt shingles have solar reflecting granules that reflect the heat away and have a high SRI value. This has also increased the life of the shingles roof by a few more years, further keeping the surface temperatures and the overall temperature of the house low.
Not all asphalt shingles are energy efficient, though. Some can absorb heat way too fast and are hotter by 100 degrees. Thus, it is important to choose the right asphalt shingles if you are looking for energy-efficient alternatives.
Are Residential Shingle Energy-Efficient Roofs Expensive?
Investing in an energy-efficient residential shingle is beneficial in the long term. Though a bit expensive, these save your energy bills by 40% and diminish HVAC use, thus contributing towards environmentally friendly initiatives.
Residential shingles can also be turned into cool roofs to make them energy efficient. Cool roofs are an additional roof layer that goes over the existing roof. They add a reflective coating over the existing roof to make it energy efficient. However, traditional shingles may not be cool roof compatible. You should ask your roofing contractor about the type of shingles compatible.
Conclusion
With the heatwaves prevalent in many parts of the world, energy-efficient roofs are a way to go. If you want to install new or replace your traditional roofing, look out for energy-efficient residential shingle roofing. For more information on getting started, contact Greenville roofing contractors today.