The term “energy-efficient roof” is a somewhat ambiguous term as it doesn’t really outright tell you what makes it energy efficient. As a result, many homeowners have some misconceptions about the whole eco-friendly roofing movement.
An energy-efficient roof is composed of two properties: reflectance and emittance. Jeff Woods Construction, your local roofing contractor, discusses what these main two properties are.
Reflectance
Reflectance refers to the roofing material’s ability to reflect the energy coming from the sun instead of absorbing it. Innate reflectance is measured on a scale from 0 to 1, with the latter being the highest level of reflectivity (meaning it reflects 100% of all radiant energy coming in contact with it).
As you’re shopping for your new roof, look for the tag or label “solar reflectance”. You’ll probably see a decimal number next to it; this is the solar reflectance of the roof. As your trusted local roofer, we can find you a roof with high solar reflectivity from our partnerships with America’s roofing manufacturers.
Emittance
Emittance, on the other hand, refers to the roofing material’s ability to shed heat rather than retain it. As such, it plays an equal, if not greater, role in defining what’s a truly energy-efficient roof. Just like reflectance, the emittance of the roof is measured on a scale of 0 to 1, with 1 being the highest.
“Thermal emittance” is the specific term you should look for when shopping for a new roof. Ideally, you’ll want a roof that has equal reflectance and emittance because they complement one another.
Finally, keep in mind that the style of your roof will affect the necessary reflectance and emittance values your new roof should meet. Flat or low-pitch roofs, in particular, need to meet a reflectance value of 0.65 and an emittance value of 0.50. This is due to the nature of the roof itself.
As one of the most trusted local roofing companies in your area, Jeff Woods Construction will help you secure the most energy-efficient roof for your home. Call us today at (931) 787-9107 to learn more about our roofing options. We are a roofing contractor serving homeowners throughout Kingston and Sparta, TN, as well as other parts of Tennessee.
