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Posted by McElroy Metal ● May 29, 2019 7:00 AM

Are Metal Roofs Energy Efficient?

Metal roofing is an energy efficient, environmentally friendly roofing material that offers cost savings and a long lifespan.

Are Metal Roofs Energy Efficient?

Yes, metal roofing offers homeowners a considerable advantage in terms of energy consumption.

Cool roof pigments and above sheathing ventilation (ASV) are the two main reasons why metal roofing increases energy efficiency and lowers utility expenses.  

Cool Roof Pigments

cool roof pigments make metal roofs energy efficientMetal roofing comes in a vast range of colors and finishes, and if you’re unfamiliar with advances in paint systems, you might think that those color options come from ordinary outdoor paint. Of course, there are a range of roofing paint system on the market (some better than others), but advances in paint technology have allowed manufacturers to add reflective pigments to their paint systems.

Metal roofing that uses paint systems with reflective pigments is referred to as cool metal roofing.

Cool metal roofing is highly reflective and has a high thermal emittance. Basically, reflectivity is the amount of energy reflected away from the surface of the roof. Thermal emittance, on the other hand, is the measure of a panel’s ability to release heat that it has absorbed.

These two things work together to decrease the amount of the sun's energy that the roof absorbs. This means that there is less heat entering the roof system, so there is less heat entering the attic space and the rest of the home, which lowers the utility load.

And it isn’t an insignificant reduction in utility load. Studies have shown that a cool metal roof can lower cooling energy costs by as much as 20%.

Above Sheathing Ventilation

sheathing ventilation makes metal roofs energy efficientAbove sheathing ventilation (ASV) is another way to make a metal roof more energy efficient and lower utility expenses.

ASV adds a ventilated airspace between the roofing material and the substrate below. This airspace allows energy to move through the space and vent back into the atmosphere rather than being absorbed by the building.

ASV can have a huge impact on the amount of energy that gets absorbed into the home. This is especially true for areas that experience extreme heat like in the video below where ASV and solar venting kept an attic a cool 5 degrees warmer than the ambient air. Compare that to an attic with only shingles on the roof which was almost 40 degrees hotter than the ambient air.

Environmentally Friendly

Increased energy efficiency isn’t the only eco-friendly advantage of metal roofing. Metal roofing is manufactured from a high percentage of recycled material. Metal roofing is also recyclable, something that shingles are not.

Metal roofing can last 60 years or more with little to no maintenance. So a cool metal roof with ASV means decades of lower utility expenses, increased energy efficiency, and, at the end of its lifespan, it is ultimately recyclable.  

Learn More

Finding a roofing partner you can trust is vital to ensuring you a roof that not only looks great but stands the test of time. You can find a McElroy Metal Distributor or Contractor here.

Contact a McElroy Metal distributor or contractor in your area today. Click here.

Learn everything you need to know about Residential Metal Roofing. Check out our metal roofing resources for inspiration and answers to your questions.

About McElroy Metal

Since 1963, McElroy Metal has served the construction industry with quality products and excellent customer service. The employee-owned components manufacturer is headquartered in Bossier City, La., and has 14 manufacturing facilities across the United States. Quality, service and performance have been the cornerstone of McElroy Metal’s business philosophy and have contributed to the success of the company through the years. As a preferred service provider, these values will continue to be at the forefront of McElroy Metal’s model along with a strong focus on the customer.

Topics: Education, Metal Roofing, FAQ, Residential, Substrates and Coatings, Sustainability

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