Is a Metal Roof Energy Efficient?

Published on Tuesday June 16, 2020

While both asphalt and metal roofing do an excellent job when it comes to keeping your home protected from the elements, metal roofing outshines asphalt shingles in areas of energy efficiency and material durability.

If you’re considering upgrading to a metal roof but are hesitant about the upfront investment, you might be surprised at how much you can save in the long run.

Are Metal Roofs Energy Efficient?

Metal roofs are one of the most energy efficient options available. They’re more energy efficient than asphalt shingles. Not only does metal roofing provide excellent insulation during the cold season of the year, but metal materials also reflect sunlight, helping keep energy costs of the home down 40-50 percent during warmer months.

Typical asphalt shingle roofs trap heat from the sun, absorbing it into the home and increasing indoor temperature by up to 25 degrees. Metal roofs, however, reflect the sun to keep heat outside of the building, which can save your home energy costs. Metal roofs also can be up to 100 degrees cooler on their surface than asphalt shingle roofing.

Additionally, as asphalt shingles are exposed to direct sunlight and other weather elements, they weaken, curl and rip. This inhibits their ability to protect your home from damage, whereas metal roofs are far more resistant to weather elements and last a lot longer than asphalt shingle roofing.

One reason why many homeowners don’t leap at the energy savings and durability of metal roofing is largely due to the cost of installation. Metal roofing ris a more difficult material to install properly, which leads to that higher price tag.

However, when metal roofs are installed by a trusted roofing professional, many homeowners find that the energy savings and durability more than make up for the initial investment. Depending on the size of your home and your heating/cooling needs, you can save hundreds of dollars each month on utility bills, especially during hot and humid summer months.

The Secret to Metal Roofing Energy Efficiency

Metal roofs offer such amazing energy savings largely due to their material type, but also their variety of finishings. While the metal material does a better job than asphalt shingles of reflecting heat even when it’s unpainted, pre-painted or coated metal roofing materials cool your home by reflecting the majority of solar radiation rather than absorbing it.

This is particularly true for lighter color metal roofs, which reflect even more heat than black metal roofs.

Are Metal Roofs Eco-Friendly?

Don’t stop at asking, “Is a metal roof energy efficient?” because they are so much more than that. Metal is one of the most environmentally friendly and sustainable roofing materials currently available—even more eco-friendly than asphalt shingles.

Here are some specific ways metal roofs are eco-friendly:

100 Percent Recyclable

Asphalt shingles contribute approximately 20 billion pounds of waste to United States landfills every year. Metal roofs, however, are 100 percent recyclable and often made with at least 25 percent recycled material.

Lightweight

A typical asphalt shingle roofing contains hundreds of gallons of oil and needs to be replaced every 12 to 20 years, making them heavy and wasteful. Metal roofing weighs half of what typical asphalt roofing weighs—a much lighter roofing option for your home. This puts less stress on your home’s structure and the environment.

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Since metal roofs help better insulate and regulate your home’s indoor temperature, your HVAC doesn’t need to put as much energy into heating and cooling. If multiple homes in a neighborhood use metal roofs, they can significantly cut down on the amount of mercury, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide generated by HVAC systems.

Say “Yes” to Energy Efficiency

Enjoy all the benefits a metal roof has to offer. Long Roofing’s Energy Star-rated Tri-Pigment Reflective metal roofing reflects upwards of 70% of the sun’s solar energy. Plus, with a Class 4 distinction in impact resistance and a Class A fire rating, our metal roofing is made to withstand a variety of damaging forces.

Request a quote from Long online to schedule a free, in-home consultation or find answers to any of your metal roofing questions.