The Benefits of a Cool Roof in Minnesota

As society forever trudges toward the future, there’s one thing we’ve become increasingly conscious of over the last century: energy efficiency.

With the changing state of our world, it benefits both you and the environment around you when you opt for more energy-smart options in your home. One of the biggest challenges for a home to stay in the realm of energy efficiency is the installation of a cool roof.

Let’s uncover what a cool roof is and the benefits it provides!

What is a Cool Roof?

Living and working in the Twin Cities means seeing all kinds of weather. As cold as the winters get, the summer roars in with a vengeance. The hot, humid summer sun quickly heats your roof to smothering temperatures, which radiate throughout your home. In short, the hotter your roof gets, the more your HVAC system will do to keep the temperature down. 

A cool roof is designed to mitigate the direct sunlight your roof absorbs by reflecting it instead. A conventional roof can be up to 50 degrees hotter than the air outside. So, if the temperature outside is 100 degrees, your roof can easily be well over 150 degrees.

A cool roof’s materials are lighter in color, helping reflect the sun's rays away instead of absorbing them.

Benefits of a Cool Roof

Almost any type of climate benefits from a cool roof at some point. Both residential properties and commercial properties can benefit from a cool roof. Commercial properties need to control their heating and cooling costs and not strain their HVAC systems too much. A cool roof can help. 

Let’s look at some of the benefits a cool roof has to offer: 

Reduced Energy Bills

Since cool roofs keep the temperatures down on the hottest of days, your air conditioning system has a lot less work to do. This, in turn, makes your AC work less, saving you tons of money during the summer months.

Increased Indoor Comfort

Cool roofs help reduce the overall temperature indoors, so your HVAC will have a far better time keeping a desirable temperature. You can comfortably stay inside your home or business when it gets too hot out.

Extend the Life of Roof

Since cool roofs reflect rather than absorb heat, wear-and-tear on your shingles is significantly reduced. This means the life of your roof may last longer before it needs replacement or repair, saving you money in the decades to come.

Environmental Impact

There is a phenomenon called the “urban heat island effect,” which happens in cities, causing them to have a higher temperature than rural areas due to the heat absorption of many roofing and building materials and human activities, like driving. 

Big cities, such as the Twin Cities area, can have an average daytime temperature of 1-7 degrees higher than outlying areas, while nighttime temperatures can be about 2-5 degrees higher. Cool roofs can help reduce the urban heat island effect. You can do your part to help cool the Twin Cities by installing a cool roof. 

Government Incentives

There are government incentives available for cool roofs. You can save about $0.64 per square foot by switching to an ENERGY STAR-qualified cool roof. If you switch to the best available options, you can save about $1.11 per square foot with a cool roof. These incentives make the most sense for a roof that is 1,000 square feet or larger, which would work well for larger commercial buildings.  

Increased Property Value

Energy-efficient features, including a cool roof, tend to increase the value of homes and commercial buildings. Cool roofs will be more attractive to environmentally conscious buyers, which can increase the property value. 

Regulatory Compliance

A cool roof may help your business or home comply with regulations and building codes for your area. Cool roofs can be a part of your efforts to meet energy efficiency standards if your local area has these requirements. 

Install Your Cool Roof With Trinity Exteriors

Whether you want to install an energy-efficient roof or need siding, window, or gutter work, contact Trinity Exteriors! 

For over 15 years, Trinity Exterior has provided home and commercial exterior services to the Twin Cities. We can help you improve your home or business’s energy efficiency by installing energy-efficient windows, a cool roof, or new siding to help insulate your home. 

Receive a free quote online or give us a call at 952-920-9520 today!