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What are your best choices when it comes to green roofs for your home building needs?
It seems to be an ever-changing industry, which is good, because change is good.
Change is good because there is a steady increase in:
- Homeowner awareness
- Inquiries regarding what is affordable
- Better technology
- What will bring you the best return on investment (ROI) in a new roofing system
Fortunately, Uncle Sam has a program called Energy Star to give you most of the information you need to make an informed decision regarding green roofs for your home building project.
What are the main factors to consider when it comes to roofing choices?
Unfortunately, misinformation and/or the lack thereof results in poor choices — because either the roofing contractor just wants the job no matter what the homeowner wants or:
- The homeowner has no idea that there are green roofing choices.
- The homeowner couldn’t care less and just wants to make a phone call and have the roof replaced.
Luckily, there are many homeowners that want to know what is going to save them money in the long run and want as much information on green roofs as they can.
The roofing choice is not the only objective here. You need to be thinking about your entire roof system to make the most of your hard earned dollars.
You could add:
- A solar-powered attic fan
- A ridge vent
- A continuous soffit vent
TIP: Make sure that the attic insulation is not blocking the soffit vents.
Strike a happy medium that will save you money by reducing your energy bills depending on your particular situation.
There are a few green roofing choices that are Energy Star qualified.
What will an Energy Star-qualified roof do for you?
- Save you money in the long run
- Reduce energy consumption
- Make you more comfortable
- Give you peace of mind knowing that you are doing your part by having made a green roofing choice
When you are in the market for green roofs and you want to make an informed decision to make sure that Energy Star products and methods are being used by your roofing contractor, take a minute to talk with them and ask them to provide a Manufacturer’s Certification Statement.
Other considerations for choosing green roofs are :
- Reflective shingles
- Ballasted roof systems
- Green roofs with vegetation
You can get a better idea of those choices by checking out this green roofs link.
What residential green roof systems qualify for Energy Star tax credits?
The answer to that question is somewhat complicated, so you need to check out the Energy Star green roofs tax credit info.
Here’s a handy roof saving calculator.
What is Emissivity?
The emittance of a material refers to its ability to release absorbed heat. Scientists use a number between 0 and 1, or 0% and 100%, to express emittance. With the exception of a metallic surface, most roofing materials can have emittance values above 0.85 (85%). One example is a metal wrench left in the sun, which is hot to the touch because it has a low emissivity value. –Source
That should get you a head start on making a great choice for your green roofing project. I’ll add more info as I come across it in the future.
I started as a home-stalker… visiting brand new homes under construction in the neighborhoods near my house. That inspired me to write about home building and home renovation projects — chronicling homes during different phases of construction from a consumer's point-of-view. Basically, the tips you'll find in my articles are a collection of checklists for what I think should (and should not) go into building or remodeling a quality home.
True, true. Haste makes waste, and the purpose of getting a green roof is to not waste. You have to think of the long term effects of your green roof, and aim for a goal that will benefit you and the environment. Plan ahead, do some research beforehand, and consult with your contractor to see what needs to be done.