In some parts of the Northwest, this summer could be as hot as it has ever been. The surprisingly warm spring has certainly been a precursor to this impending warm weather. It should have also been a sign that you need to get your home together to deal with all the sun coming your way, if you haven’t done so already. Student Science explores cooling your roof in a recent article titled “Keeping roofs cooler to cut energy costs.”
Sid Perkins of Student Science writes, “The roof of a house can get pretty hot in the summer. Even if there is an insulated attic below, some of that heat can work its way into the living space. That can make air conditioners work harder and pump up electricity bills. But a thin, paint-like coating could help keep roofs cooler, a teen researcher finds. And in urban areas, widespread use of her new roofing treatment might even cut the formation of lung-irritating ozone on hot days. Shingles come in many colors, but dark ones are especially popular, says Jesseca Kusher. The 18-year old attends Spartanburg Day School in South Carolina. Like most dark objects, shingles absorb a lot of heat from sunlight. In the summer sun, they can easily reach 73.5° Celsius (164° Fahrenheit), she notes. If those shingles reflected more sunlight, they’d stay cooler. And that could help cut down on home cooling bills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, air conditioning consumes about 5 percent of all the energy used in the United States. Cooling buildings costs the nation about $11 billion each year.”
If you have or are acquiring an older home this summer, it’s even more imperative to consider the state of your roof. Consumer Affairs takes a look at this in a recent article titled “4 things to consider when buying an older home.” Mark Huffman of Consumer Affairs writes, “If shingles are missing or are cracked and peeling, the roof may already be leaking. If the shingles are intact but are curling or torn, they are on their way to failing. Discolored shingles can be a sign of mold or algae growth on the roof. That holds moisture and can cause rapid deterioration. Inside, water spots on the ceiling can be a telltale sign of a leaky roof. That may be reason enough to walk away. The cost of replacing a roof will be several thousand dollars and that doesn’t cover the repairs to any damage that may have already occured.”
When it comes to taking care of your roof for the summer and beyond, your best bet is Platinum Exteriors NW. Our team specializes in the cutting edge of roofing by utilizing architectural composition and metal roofing styles.
We have a team of the best local project managers, restoration specialists, accredited trade professionals, dry-rot and framing carpenters, and installations teams. Our team is highly trained and will provide you with the best craftsmanship and customer service possible.
Whatever roofing needs you might have, you can’t go wrong with Platinum Exteriors NW!