As Americans in general become more and more aware of the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions, a growing number of homeowners are turning to metal roofing as a “green” alternative to traditional roofing materials. Metal roofing
systems are growing in popularity every year.

Homeowners in Tacoma, Seattle, Olympia, and Bremerton have discovered that installing a metal roofing system is not only one of the most environmentally responsible choices they can make, it’s also one of the most cost-effective. Metal roofing materials are
virtually 100 percent recyclable, making them a very sensible choice from an
environmental standpoint. Even more important, many of today’s metal roofing
systems are coated with finishes, which reflect much of the sun’s rays and
thereby offer significant energy savings.

The energy savings offered by cool metal roofing are significant from both an environmental and an economic standpoint. The cooler roof temperatures can produce as much as 20 percent savings in air-conditioning costs.

The potential environmental benefits of cool metal roofing systems are drawing the interest of utilities, trade associations, industry groups and government agencies, who
are finding that metal roofing offers environmental benefits that are not
always immediately apparent. For example, cool metal roofing can help to reduce
the “urban heat island” effect, which will reduce the demand on
utilities for electricity, most of which is generated by the burning of fossil
fuels. In this way, metal roofing also contributes to cleaner air and reduced
greenhouse gas emissions.

Of course, the environmental benefits of cool metal roofing are only one part of the big
picture. Metal roofing also offers practical and aesthetic appeal to
homeowners, in addition to its appeal as an environmentally responsible roofing
choice. Metal roofing is already widely recognized for offering so many
benefits, such as Class A fire resistance, extremely light weight, and
excellent wind resistance. What’s more, metal roofing is one of the most
durable roofing systems available; for most homeowners, this is literally the
last roof they will need to buy.

Best of all, a homeowner does not have to sacrifice aesthetic appeal in order to do the right thing from an environmental standpoint.

Today’s metal roofing systems complement virtually every type of architecture and design, and they do it in a way that is cost-effective, durable and environmentally sensible. Ask
your roofing contractor if a metal roof is right for your home.

To start off, we’ll discuss your roof’s ventilation. What pops into your mind when you
see the word “ventilation”? If your response involves some zippers located in
the armpits of your jacket, you’re on the wrong track, but luckily you’re in
the right place. Let’s discuss further.

Ventilation, as you might guess, allows your roofing system to “breathe”. No, your roof
isn’t trading carbon dioxide for oxygen, but it is allowing air flow into the
roof via an intake vent and out through an exhaust vent near the ridge.

An improperly-vented house can cause problems year-round. During warmer months,
hot air will linger in your attic space, causing heat to radiate through the
rest of your house. If your house is air-conditioned, your energy costs will
skyrocket from your air conditioner trying to overcompensate for all the heat
seeping through your house from the attic. If you don’t have air conditioning,
you’ll definitely wish you did. Also, if the heat from the sun is captured and
stagnant in your attic, the hot air rising to the roof can cause your shingles
to deteriorate rapidly, possibly jeopardizing the warranty on your roof.

Conversely, during winter months you risk the buildup of condensation in your attic – where the warm, moist air from household activities such as showering and cooking
meet the colder air sitting on the roof outside. This condensation will cause a
few problems: 1) your insulation in your attic will become wet and damp,
causing it to be ineffective at keeping your house warm. Even 5% moisture
saturation will reduce the effectiveness of your insulation. Your
heating/energy bill will rise as a result of this. 2) the condensation forming
in your attic will create ideal conditions for mold spores to grow, which can
cause allergy problems and other illnesses. The cost to eliminate mold in an
attic can be high, and is sometimes not covered by homeowner’s insurance.

If attic ventilation is something you hadn’t thought about, or if you’re noticing the
problems we’ve talked about in this blog, feel free to contact us for a
consultation. We’ll be happy to take a look and offer a customized estimate
based on your home’s structure and location.