Today, homes are more than just a structure that provides shelter; they are a source of comfort. With rising concerns about global warming and climate change, they can also be an investment in sustainability and energy efficiency.
In a world of growing environmental concerns and utility costs that are becoming increasingly more expensive, saving is on everybody's mind. With homes being the biggest source of energy consumption, making them more energy efficient can drastically cut down on utility costs and the home's impact on the environment. Changes like installing a "cool roof" or improving the home's insulation may have a high upfront cost, but the potential long-term cost savings and promise of a more comfortable home can make them well worth the investment.
Brava is one brand of roofing materials that understands this and strives to create aesthetically pleasing, sustainable synthetic roofing that brings cool roofing and insulation together to create the perfect duo for energy-efficient home design.
The Cool Roof Difference
The first cool roofs were white, but today, they come in different colors thanks to the development of dark pigments that are highly reflective, like Brava's "Cool Weathered" synthetic cedar shakes or their "Cool French Clay" Spanish barrel tiles.
Cool roofs are a popular option in areas with high levels of UV exposure, like Florida, Texas, and Arizona. By law, they are required in California under the California Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards.
How Insulation Fits In
Insulation, while unseen, is essential to every home and helps to make it more energy-efficient. It keeps heat inside during colder months and cool air in during hotter months. While most know it fills their walls, they don't realize it is also in other areas, including the roof. The better insulated a home is, including its roof, the less hot and cold air will escape from the home, which makes it easier to maintain comfortable temperatures no matter the season.
The Intersection of Cool Roofing and Insulation
Cool roofs and insulation are energy-efficient home features and upgrades. Individually, they can make a significant difference in utility costs, but they have an even more significant impact together.
When installed in places where the summer sun can be overbearing, cool roofs can provide solace for homeowners. They can escape the oppressive heat and stay cool and comfortable inside their home because a cool roof will reflect and release any heat from the sun that it receives. While this makes a significant difference, paired with sufficient insulation throughout the home, including the roof, even homes and buildings lacking air conditioning will remain comfortable. It will also prolong the life of a cooling system since it will not have to work so hard to maintain a comfortable interior temperature.
There is a debate on the efficiency of cool roofs in mixed climates, areas with hot, sunny summers and cold winters. While it is undeniable that homeowners in places with predominantly warm, sunny weather, it doesn't mean they cannot be installed in mixed climate areas. Many believe that having cool roofs in these areas doesn't carry a significant "winter penalty" as heating often costs less than cooling.
Cool Roofing with Brava
Brava's synthetic roofing tiles already offer an energy-efficient solution, even without the cool roof color options. Brava tiles are naturally insulating and designed to be UV resistant. This will help with regulating indoor temperatures all year. Brava's cool roof products are also CRRC-compliant, and fall into the appropriate ranges of thermal emittance, three-year aged reflectance, and solar reflective index. There are four cool roof color options:
Cool Weathered: A cedar shake tile with a mix of tans, blacks, and browns
Cool Lake Forest: A lighter cedar shake that is a mixture of tans, gray, and brown
Cool Terra Cotta: A traditional red Spanish barrel tile
Cool French Clay: Another traditional Spanish barrel tile that has an orange hue
Creating Energy Efficiency Through Roofing and Insulation
These days, energy efficiency is everything. Everyone wants to find ways to save on energy costs and create a more sustainable home without giving up quality or comfort. It isn't a difficult task when it comes down to it; a cool roof is an excellent investment, particularly for homes in hot, sunny climates or with long, hot summers.
Cool roofs can help to keep cooling costs low and, when paired with sufficient insulation, help create a significantly more energy-efficient home that is comfortable and can rely less on a cooling system. Brava's synthetic roofing tiles are a high-quality, beautiful option with superior durability and insulating properties, and their cool roof options meet all the cool roof requirements.
Contact Brava today to learn more about our cool roof options!
