If you’re planning on installing a new reflective “cool” roof on your commercial building, you can expect to see summertime energy savings on your utility bill. That’s because highly-reflective single-ply membranes have a proven history of reducing a building’s energy consumption – by as much as 40% in some situations. These systems reduce the amount of solar heat that’s transferred to the building below and help lower the load on rooftop HVAC units.
These roofs bring additional benefits as well – some directly to you; some to the surrounding community. Here’s a quick look:
1.Cool roofs help preserve the life and effectiveness of rooftop insulation. Obviously, insulation is needed to keep warm air inside the building during the winter and out during the summer, and cool roofing helps ensure that insulation can do its job for the long term. Dark roof membranes permit the penetration of UV and IR radiation that can degrade and lowers the R-value of rooftop insulation, which can lead to higher operating costs.
2. In recent years, there’s been increased environmental interest in urban heat islands (UHIs) – the tendency for summertime temperatures in urban areas to be considerably warmer than those in surrounding rural areas. This effect is primarily due to cities’ concentration of buildings and pavement – made from materials that absorb and retain heat, rather than reflect it. UHIs are linked to increased smog levels and corresponding increases in human health problems. More green spaces in urban environments can make a difference, as can reflective commercial roofing systems, which reflect solar energy back into the atmosphere.
3. Your new roofing system should last 15-20 years or more. If you’re interested in what happens to it once its life on your rooftop is over, you should be aware that some commercial roof materials can be removed from the roof and recycled. Some manufacturers of PVC roofing in particular have recycling programs in place that take old roofing systems and recycle them into commercial flooring and other construction materials. Keeping these materials out of landfills is a clear environmental benefit.
Although your cool commercial roof may be “out of sight, out of mind,” it clearly delivers benefits to your bottom line and to your community. Please contact us today to discuss these and the other advantages of your new roof being installed by the experts at JGA Roofing.