Tag: eco-friendly

5 Ways Your Commercial Roof Can Save Energy Costs

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

With their large air conditioning systems, commercial buildings can often rack up high energy bills. But, there are several ways building owners can save energy. In fact, a new commercial roof can save energy costs through special materials and reflective surfaces. As a help, we put together these five simple ways that commercial building owners can reduce energy through the installation of a new roof.

5 Ways Your Commercial Roof Can Save Energy Costs

1. Reflective surfaces keep buildings cool.

In many commercial buildings, heating and cooling costs are the most expensive parts of the energy bill. Solar reflection on a commercial rooftop can keep a building from heating up too much in the summer, greatly reducing your energy use. To keep buildings cool, choose a roofing material with a reflective surface that won’t absorb the sun’s heat. Metal roofing is one of the best types of reflective roofing, and it’s one of the most durable roofing materials that will last for a very long time.

2. Light-colored roofs also reflect the sun.

Another common way to reduce energy costs in commercial roofing is through a cool roof. A cool roof is a typical flat roof painted white or another light, reflective color. Almost any type of commercial roof material can be converted into a cool roof to help you start saving energy.

3. Quality commercial roofs provide extra insulation.

Insulation is difficult to install on a commercial roof that already exists, however, if you’re installing a new roof, adding insulation can be a major energy saver. The materials and labor for an insulated roof can be expensive but the money saved on electricity bills over time can offset the cost.

4. A green roof can help reduce heat.

A green commercial roof is any type of energy-efficient roofing that uses vegetation on the rooftop to cool the building and filter stormwater. Green roofs can last much longer than a traditional roof, and they greatly reduce heat caused by buildings in urban areas. Keep in mind, though, that a green roof won’t work for every building type and requires a specialized roofing contractor.

5. A solar roof can power your building.

An excellent way to cut your power bills down is to generate your own electricity. Flat commercial roofs are an excellent place to put solar panels. Many roofs need very little prep in order to support solar panels, but a roofing contractor may need to reinforce your roof and ensure that the solar panels are fastened properly.

Looking to Reduce Your Roof’s Energy Costs?

Our team at Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. has nearly 70 years of experience in guiding building owners toward the best commercial roofing options that will last for years to come and save as much on energy costs as possible. Contact us today for a consultation or to learn more about our commercial roofing solutions!

5 Eco-Friendly Commercial Roofing Options

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

When companies make the decision to go green, roofing is probably not the first thing on the list. However, the materials used on a commercial roof can have a big impact on the overall eco-friendliness of a building. 

Here are a few options for creating an eco-friendly commercial roof:

Green Roofing

Possibly the most eco-friendly of all commercial roofing types, green roofs put vegetation directly on the roof surface over a waterproof layer. These roof plants have a number of environmental benefits, including air purification, carbon sequestration, and purifying runoff. The main advantage of green roofs, however, is that they help reduce the temperature of the building and the surrounding area, making them great for urban areas that have problems with heat sequestration. These roofs can also help regulate building temperatures and lower electricity bills.

Cool Roofs 

Cool roofs are one of the fastest growing segments of the roofing industry. The term “cool roof” refers to a roof painted white or a very light color. This color reflects sunlight better than darker roofs, keeping buildings cooler and allowing them to become more energy-efficient.

Rooftop Solar

Solar panels allow buildings to generate their own electricity and can sometimes even pump additional energy back into the grid. Over time, solar panels can also help companies save money. Adhering solar panels to a roof can be a complex and expensive task that should always be done under the supervision of a roofing professional.

Recyclable Materials

Many of the materials used for roofing can come from recycled elements like metal, which can be taken from the scrap yard and repurposed for a roof. Old roofing materials, such as reclaimed shingles, can often still be used on a different building. Rubber roofs are often made from old belt tires. When using new materials is necessary, choose one that can be recycled or sustainably disposed of after the roof needs to be replaced, like metal or rubber.

Durable Materials

The longer something lasts, the better that is for the environment. Using durable roof materials generates less waste and requires the use of fewer prime resources. A long-lasting roof is also a huge financial benefit to businesses, as they won’t need to replace their roof as frequently. Durable roof materials include metal, rubber, and a number of other options.

Your Trusted Partner for Eco-Friendly Commercial Roofing

Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. has experience with all types of eco-friendly roofing options. To learn more about using your commercial roof to go green, contact the Maxwell team today.

Energy-Efficiency Tips for Commercial Roofs

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Commercial roofs protect buildings from weather and house important building equipment, but many people don’t know that roofs can also play a big role in making a building more energy efficient. With the right kind of roof, building owners can better insulate their building, improving energy efficiency and saving money each month on electricity bills. 

Here are a few common questions about energy efficiency and roofing:

What roofing material is most efficient?

The cardinal rule of roof energy efficiency is to use a lighter-colored roofing material. A white or light-colored roof will reflect the sun away from a roof, making the building easier to cool in the summer. 

The most efficient roofing material will vary from climate to climate but many different kinds of material can be painted white, including membranes and rubber that are commonly used on commercial roofs.

Are metal roofs efficient?

Metal is one of the most efficient roofing materials. The reflective material can help building owners save up to 40 percent on energy costs. Cool metal roofing uses a highly reflective coating to extend these energy savings even further. These materials are ENERGY STAR® rated for their superior energy efficiency capabilities.

Metal roofs also seal in temperatures excellently. Because metal is more durable than other materials, it protects the insulation that lies beneath it. This makes insulation last longer and perform better than with other types of roofing material. 

What roofs qualify for a tax credit?

Residential home improvements that include an energy efficiency element can usually qualify for a tax credit. Similar energy efficiency tax credits for commercial buildings expired in 2017.

The only tax credit now available for commercial roofs is through a general equipment deduction made available through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which passed in 2017. The particular type of roofing material doesn’t matter for this tax cut, and building improvements up to $1 million may be covered.

Will a new roof save energy?

The potential for a new roof to save energy depends on a number of factors, but it’s likely that a new roof will be able to deliver some energy savings. To maximize the energy efficiency for a new roof consider the following tips:

  • Choose a reflective material like metal to direct the sun’s rays away from the building.
  • Ensure that the roof provides proper ventilation.
  • Paint your roof a light color or coat it with a reflective coating.
  • Consider fasteners for solar panels or set up a vegetative roof.

To learn more about how to improve the energy efficiency of your commercial roof, contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal today.

5 Eco-Friendly Commercial Roofing Options to Consider

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Companies decide to go green for many reasons. It may be due to a core business value or for a chance to connect with customers. It may just be for the cold hard cash savings that come from energy efficiency. Whatever the reason for becoming more eco-friendly, facility managers shouldn’t overlook the importance of choosing the right type of roof to maximize energy savings and eliminate waste. Here are five environmentally-friendly options for commercial roofs:

1. Solar Panel

The large empty space on a commercial roof is the perfect place to put solar panels to offset a building’s electricity use. New roofs can be specially outfitted to support the weight of solar panels. Older roofs will likely need some modification to safely secure panels on the roof. Though a solar company may say they can install the panels, it’s important to always use a professional roofer to ensure that the installation doesn’t do any damage.

2. Green Roof

Not only do roof plants help fight climate change, but they also can help moderate the temperature of a commercial building and improve air quality in the surrounding area. Green roofs are ideal for urban areas where there is little other surrounding vegetation.

3. White Roof

Roofs with white or light-colored membranes are considered “cool roofs” because of their ability to reflect more of the sun’s rays away from the building. In hot places, cool roof systems can help reduce the need for air conditioning in the summer, lowering the building’s electricity bill.

4. Metal Roof

Metal is one of the most eco-friendly materials for roofs. A metal roof made from recycled materials can last up to 60 years, and the material can be re-used again once it is time to replace it. Metal is also reflective, keeping buildings cool in the summertime.

5. Recycled or Biodegradable Roof Material

There are plenty of ways to use recycled or biodegradable materials for a more traditional commercial roof style. Reclaimed clay can be used in tile roofing. Sustainably harvest wood shake is biodegradable and can be used for shingles. Old tires can also be made into rubber roofing material that can last for many years.

When choosing the right eco-friendly roofing for any building, it’s important to always use a professional roofing company. Maxwell Roofing has experience with all types of materials and roofing types. We even have our own fabrication department to customize your metal roof or roofing parts. To hear more about how the Maxwell team can help make your roof more eco-friendly, contact us today.

What to Know About Energy-Efficient Roofing

Posted on by Kathleen Maxwell

Does using “40 percent less energy for cooling” sound interesting? If so, you may want to consider energy-efficient roofing—a roofing industry technology that helps reduce energy consumption.

How Does Energy-Efficient Roofing Work?

There are a few different types of energy-efficient roofs, and they each work in different ways. For example, some commercial energy-efficient roofs are made with materials that reflect sunlight back into the atmosphere and protect the roof from UV rays. Other commercial energy-efficient roofs are green roofs covered with vegetation that absorbs sunlight and keeps it from reaching the roof itself.

What Are the Benefits of Energy-Efficient Roofing?

Saving money on cooling costs isn’t the only benefit you can get from energy-efficient roofing. Energy-efficient roofs are also more likely to last longer. Why? Rather than absorbing damaging sunlight and UV rays, energy-efficient roofs reflect them, reducing indoor cooling costs and preventing damage to the roof.

How Much Will You Save?

Energy-efficient roofs generally provide more savings in hotter climates. According to Energy.gov, “Cool roofs achieve the greatest cooling savings in hot climates, but they can increase energy costs in colder climates due to reduced beneficial wintertime heat gains.” If you want to know whether your facility is a good candidate for a cool roof, try this cool roof calculator or this roof savings calculator.

Should You Install an Energy-Efficient Roof?

Installing a brand-new roof sounds stressful—even painful, right? If you’re interested in achieving the benefits of an energy-efficient roof without going through the headache of tearing out your current roof and installing a new one, we have good news: Getting an energy-efficient roof might be less complicated than you think. You don’t have to install a completely new roof for it to be considered energy-efficient.

According to PowerScout, “A cool roof coating, comprised of pigments that reflect sunlight, can transform a standard roof into an energy-efficient roofing system.” If you’re looking for energy-efficient roofing materials, PowerScout recommends you “look for materials with a high solar reflectance and thermal emittance. Solar reflectance determines the amount of solar energy that a material reflects into the environment, while thermal emittance describes how readily a material releases absorbed solar heat.” Choosing a material that reflects as much sunlight as possible and releases as much heat as possible will allow you to maximize the benefits of energy-efficient roofing.

If you’re interested in installing a brand-new, energy-efficient roof or transforming your current roof to an energy-efficient one, we’d love to hear from you. Click here to learn how we can help you gain the benefits of energy-efficient roofing.