Your roof plays an essential role in insulating your building and lowering energy costs in the summer AND winter, yet the thermal qualities of a roofing system can be virtually overlooked when it is time to repair or replace an existing system. Two factors that impact the energy efficiency of a roof are reflectivity and R-Value.
Reflectivity is the ability of the roof’s surface to reflect solar radiation. Light-colored membrane roofing solutions are ideal for this purpose: they are much more reflective than most other types of roofing surfaces and are the type in which Coryell Roofing specializes. That membrane, however, can be applied over other layers of material, and these layers between your roof’s deck and the membrane are where you have an opportunity to increase the energy-saving properties of your roof.
R-value refers to the capacity of an insulating material to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power. By increasing the thickness of the insulation layer, typically in the form of foam sheets, you can significantly decrease the amount of heat that escapes through from below or penetrates from above. This can have a varying degree of impact on energy usage depending on the design of the entire structure (typically 5% to 20% lower energy costs have been reported), but that is where a skilled roofing professional can help you make the right choices and maximize the long-term energy savings.
“Adding insulation to the top of the roof, when we’re already re-roofing a facility, is the most cost-effective time to take advantage of this valuable upgrade to a building. Energy savings from even 2” of insulation, and R-12, can see returns in less than 5 years and often as quickly as the first year depending on existing insulation amounts,” says Keenan Young, Coryell Roofing General Manager.
Many are still recovering from the recent “Arctic outbreak” that settled over the northern and central plains. Such extremes can have an unpredictable impact on your commercial roof, so there’s never been a better time to have your roof inspected by a respected commercial roofer. Coryell Roofing performs such inspections at no cost with no obligation. It’s an ideal opportunity to discuss the thermal characteristics as well and find out if your next roof would benefit from adding thickness or quality to what lies beneath the surface… it could really pay off down the road!
At Coryell Roofing and Construction, we specialize in high R-Value commercial roofing that insulates your business, school, or church and saves you money through reduced energy costs and extreme weather protection. We work with school decision-makers all over the state to calculate their facilities’ desired R-value and help them reach their roof system goals – Coryell is ready to assist.
