The roof of your home can be essential to keeping your family sheltered.  Depending on the quality, it could also keep your home energy efficient, comfortable, and valuable. So how do you know it may be time to replace your roof?

Depending on materials used, a roof can last anywhere between 20 and 100 years. The following warning signs can indicate it is time to think about a replacement:

• Leaks
• Sunlight through your roof boards
• Shingle granules in your gutters
• Curling or buckling shingles
• Missing shingles

If your home is in an area that experiences frequent storms or harsh weather events, the lifespan of your roof may be much shorter. Keep an eye out for these symptoms and plan for your new roof or new cool roof!

What Is A Cool Roof?

A cool roof is designed and constructed with materials that reflect more heat than they absorb. This can be accomplished by installing different roofing materials and adopting heat-reflecting techniques with your roof design. Cool roof materials can include highly solar reflective paints, tiles, shingles, and sheet coverings.

A cool roof reduces energy usage, saving you money, and will also stabilize the temperatures in your unconditioned spaces, like the garage or the bonus room. Installing a cool roof is most beneficial in a warm climate, where the winters are not cold enough to require the inherent heat gain of a traditional roof. Southern climates, including California and Florida, are prime candidates for cool roof installation.

Battling the “Heat Island Effect”

The surface temperatures of a roof can reach upwards of 150ºF underneath the summer sun? An excessively hot roof will increase the temperature inside your home, as well as increase the air temperature outside of your home. Not only may a cool roof reduce your air conditioning energy costs and keep your home more comfortable, but it could make life a little more comfortable for your neighbors.

In urban areas where there are large clusters of “hot roofs,” like Los Angeles, San Diego, Miami, Tampa, and Orlando, these roofs create what is called the “heat island effect.”  According to Science Daily, “air temperatures spike several degrees higher in cities than in surrounding vegetated areas. Built surfaces readily absorb daytime heat and release it at night, keeping cities warmer overnight as well.”

The Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory conducted a study on the effects of installing cool roofs on every building in California by the year 2050. They found that state-wide cool roof installation “could bring down the annual number of heatwave exposures in California to 45 million from 80 million.”

How Much Does A Cool Roof Cost?

The price of a roofing upgrade varies based on the material used, the design of your home, and whether a retrofit or full replacement will provide the desired results. A professional roofing contractor, such as our PACE qualified contractors, will be able to suggest the appropriate upgrades for your home and provide more accurate pricing.

Whether your home needs a retrofit or full replacement, you can finance 100% of your cool roof upgrade by using Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing. PACE financing offers benefits like:

• Same-day approvals
• 100% financing
• No out of pocket costs
• Fixed, competitive rates

Looking for more information about cool roofs or how you can finance your roofing upgrade with PACE financing? Call Renew Financial at 844-736-3934 or apply now.

Important Disclosures

PACE financing is subject to approval. Underwriting requirements and restrictions apply. PACE financing is secured by a lien on the subject property and often required to be repaid upon refinance or sale. PACE financing is private financing that must be repaid in full. PACE financing is not a government subsidy. Renew Financial is a private company and not a government entity. The installation or construction of property improvements financed with a PACE assessment is provided through a home improvement contractor or other third-party provider, and not by Renew Financial or a government entity. Homeowners should perform due diligence before selecting a home improvement contractor. Financing provided in California through Department of Financial Innovation and Protection License No. 60DBO-90653.

All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. Renew Financial makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information found by following any link on this site. Renew Financial is not a financial or home improvement advisor and information contained in this post should not be viewed as legal or financial advice.