Benefits of an energy-efficient roof
In Queensland we can get some pretty extreme weather – scorching hot summers, torrential tropical storms, hail, cyclones, droughts and floods! Having an energy-efficient home will save you money all year round. 39% of the average household energy costs derive from cooling and heating your home (Australian Greenhouse Office). An energy-efficient home will provide good thermal comfort without over-relying on artificial cooling and heating.
An energy efficient roof will keep the home cooler in summer and warmer in winter, so you won’t need to spend as much on those energy bills to keep the temperature that you want all year round. That means less air-conditioning in summer and less heating required in winter. The added benefit is that the environment also wins as you will leave a much smaller carbon footprint.
Tips for an energy efficient roof
- COLOUR – Choose a light colour for the roof. A light colour roof will not absorb as much light and heat as a dark coloured roof. It will reflect the heat rather than transferring it internally to your roof and home. Keeping your home cooler in summer.
- INSULATION – Many homes in Australia are not well insulated. It’s good to use quality insulating materials such as cellulose fibre. Good insulated roof lining and insulation in the roof cavity will make a huge difference to keeping the heat out in summer and retaining the warmth in winter.
- VENTILATION – Good ventilation in the roof cavity will ensure a more energy efficient home. Hot air rises so it is vital that you manage the roof area to control the climate in the cavity space. Airflow and ventilation in summer helps the hot air to escape the roof cavity when the temperature eventually drops in the afternoon. Ventilation is just as important in winter to stop cold, damp air and moisture build up that could result in mildew, mould and damage.
- CONCRETE TILES – If you have concrete tiles on your roof you are already at a huge advantage as they naturally insulate your home better than a metal roof. They help beat the heat in summer and retain the warmth in winter.
- COATING – You can now apply a special cool roof coating to your roof that helps keep your roof cooler in Queensland’s extreme heat. It will also increase the lifespan you can expect from your roof. Coatings work particularly well on darker colour roofs as anyone wearing black on a hot day will attest.
- EAVES – the part of the roof that hangs out over the walls. The eaves provide shade and protect the home exterior. Eaves also regulate sunlight entering the home throughout the year. Well designed eaves can block the summer sun, but still allow the winter sun to enter the home.
- RAINWATER COLLECTION – install a water tank and save the water run-off from your roof with gutters and down pipes for either drinking, showering, laundry or gardening.
If you would like to discuss an energy-efficient tile roof restoration (and you live in Brisbane north to the Sunshine Coast or Brisbane South to Logan and Brisbane Bayside or Redlands) contact us at Bayside Roofing. We specialise in tile roof restorations & repairs and tile roof & gutter painting . We also have a tile roof maintenance service so we can check your roof on a regular basis. For single story metal roofs up to 2.4m we offer roof and gutter painting only
