Nowadays everyone is talking about energy savings as that is coherently related to reducing energy bills. Not only that but with the environment in mind, energy efficiency is the name of the game in modern construction.
And there came metal roofs- the total game-changers. They look cool, they are super energy-efficient. They’ll keep your home comfy in hot summers and cold winters.
But there must be some science behind their stand-alone performance in the metal roofing industry. In this article, I will explore them.
Let’s dive deeper.
Can Metal Roofs Reduce Energy Consumption
Yes. The positive impact of metal roofs is partly attributed to the way metal roofs are installed. It has to allow airflow underneath the roof.
You can notice a significant decrease in the flow of heat with the metal roof, primarily due to the ventilation above the sheathing. The result can be sometimes even a 50% reduction in heat transfer, reducing your cooling cost average of 25%. (Next time, don’t forget to check your bills)
When the roof is directly fixed to the roof deck without leaving any air space beneath, it helps to lose the major heat from the attic in winter. But, if you allow it to have an air gap it acts as a form of insulation. This layer of air will prevent heat from transferring out of the home and maintain a more comfortable indoor temperature.
Similarly, during the summer, the same air gap prevents the attic from heating up, leading to reduced cooling needs.
Moreover, modern metal roofs come with solar reflective coatings, which largely reflect the sun’s radiation. This feature proves especially beneficial in a hot environment.
How Metal Roofing Becomes Energy Efficient
Not all roof materials are regarded as energy efficient. There are some major criteria that they need to perform. Before judging if metal roofs can pass all of them, let’s have a small detail on them.
- Proper Ventilation: A well-ventilated roof will not allow hot air to stay inside the attire. There is no second chance for it. On the other hand, the same ventilation helps in flowing cool air.
- Heat Reflectivity: Most of the energy cost is directly related to heat and cooling systems. Energy-efficient roofs must have the ability to reflect and return the heat it receives.
- Thermal Emittance and Emissivity: Although both the terms thermal emittance and thermal emissivity assess the roof surface’s cooling capability, they are distinct concepts. Thermal emittance helps the roof to emit thermal radiation itself. On the other hand, emissivity only gauges how effectively the roof can return to the environment.
Now we will check if our metal roofing can pass all three categories.
Proper Ventilation
Proper roof ventilation facilitates the escape of hot air and encourages the circulation of cold air. When a roof is installed on battens, it creates an air gap between the roof and the metal panels, promoting ventilation and preventing heat buildup in attics or ceiling areas.
On the contrary, when asphalt shingles and wood shakes are directly installed on the plywood without an air gap, heat from the sun becomes trapped, leading to higher HVAC costs and decreased overall energy efficiency in homes.
Due to the batten system used for attaching metal roofs, air can flow freely underneath, further contributing to their cooling advantages.
Also Read: Preventing Roof Leaks: Common Causes and Preventative Measures
Thermal Emittance and Emissivity
Thermal emittance counts a roof’s efficiency in releasing absorbed heat, with higher emittance indicating better heat release capabilities.
Metal exhibits an exceptionally high thermal emittance because of its atomic construction. Its lattice arrangement of atoms and presence of free-flowing electrons allow for easy movement and transfer of energy.
This high conductivity enables metal roofs to effectively release thermal energy, making them highly emissive.
Heat Reflectivity
Now let’s talk about the big role of roofing materials on how they can be energy savers just by reflecting heat.
A well-reflective roofing system designed to minimize the absorption of heat by maximizing the reflection of heat and sunlight falls during the daytime. When sunlight strikes a metal roof, a significant portion of the solar energy is bounced back into the atmosphere, rather than being absorbed into the building below.
This process is especially beneficial in warm and sunny climates, where excessive heat absorption can lead to higher indoor temperatures, increased energy consumption for cooling, and potential strain on air conditioning systems.
Metal roofs are made for heat reflecting
Metal roofs have a unique atomic structure that contributes to their exceptional reflectivity. They are made up of atoms arranged in a lattice structure, full of free-flowing electrons. These electrons easily move and transfer energy within the material. This high thermal conductivity enables metal roofs to effectively disperse and release thermal energy, contributing to their superior reflectivity.
Any metal roof can reflect a major portion of the sun’s energy back into the air. In some cases, it can be up to 70%. When exposed to sunlight, the metal surface quickly reflects heat away from the building, preventing a significant amount of heat from being absorbed into the structure.
As a result, the interior of the home or building remains cooler, reducing the need for excessive air conditioning and thereby contributing to energy savings and increased energy efficiency.
The benefits of reflective roofs extend beyond individual buildings to the broader environment. When multiple buildings in a community or city have reflective roofs, the urban heat island effect can be mitigated. By adopting reflective roofs on a larger scale, cities can potentially lower the overall temperature and improve the overall comfort of urban environments.
Final verdicts
Metal roofs have been an outstanding choice for their proven energy which is demanded in modern construction. As environmental consciousness was a hot topic, demanding the urgency for sustainable solutions, metal roofs appeared as a superhero.
The science of the outstanding performance of metal roofing lies in its composition, construction, and installation. The manufacturers are still trying to bring more sustainable and affordable metal roofings. The stories have yet not ended.