“Living roofs” are a growing trend. These roofing systems contain live shrubbery that literally grows atop the roof panels, giving the building the look of being built underneath a grassy lawn. While living roofs may not be attainable for everyone, there are easy ways to achieve better energy efficiency with your existing roof.

Read on as the roofing specialists at Sterling Exteriors share tips to create a roof that’s both visually appealing and energy-efficient.

Natural Cooling

There’s a lot to be said about the advantages of asphalt shingles as a roofing material; however, they score a little low on the energy-efficiency scale. This is due in part to their color, which tends to be dark. While shades can vary in hue and intensity, you have probably never seen a white asphalt roof.

Light colors reflect the sun’s radiant heat rather than absorb it, which means light-colored roofing systems take longer to heat up than dark-colored ones. You can experience this effect by comparing how quickly you feel hot under the sun while wearing a white shirt, then a black shirt. The same principle applies to roofs.

Adequate Insulation

Your air conditioner continually removes heat from your home to maintain a comfortable temperature indoors. The more heat that enters your home, the harder your air conditioning has to work to maintain the same temperature level.

You can reduce the “in” flow of heat by properly insulating your attic and by extension, your roofing system. This will properly secure your building’s thermal envelope, reducing the load on your HVAC which, in turn, leads to lower energy bills.

Sustainability

Asphalt shingles may be a popular choice, but they’re not the only option. These days, metal roofing has taken energy efficiency and sustainability to a whole different level. With recent innovations in metal roofs, you can expect to lower your energy bills while also making an environmentally friendly choice for your home.

Sterling Exteriors is your number-one provider of roofing repair, installation and maintenance services. Give us a call today at (513) 322-4777 to learn more about our roofing options. We serve Cincinnati, Loveland and Newtown, OH.