Trends in Commercial Roofing
Roofing contractors in Orange County have their hands full these days. With recent changes in building regulations, the subjects of decreasing heat transfer and heating costs are at the top of every roofer's list for 2015. As California building codes are getting a makeover, all roofing contractors in the state are thinking more about greener ways to maintain indoor comfort while optimizing the resources from natural sunlight. And, as residential and commercial roofers look ahead to next season and beyond, energy consumption is a major factor in future trends. That means that this year's trends toward greener options aren't just a fad; they're a movement that is likely to continue for decades to come. Indeed, the trends for this year and into next year for new roofs and roofing repairs are about energy efficiency, sustainable resources, and using as much of the sun's natural rays for heating as possible.
Clay
A roof designed with clay materials is not only attractive and stylish, but it can provide superior solar reflectivity, and that means better methods of heating and cooling, lower energy bills, and greater energy efficiency. Because clay stores heat well, its use is growing, making it one of the year's most utilized roofing materials. Clay tiles don't just look good. They're also very practical because they hold heat and cold well. Clay roofs are pragmatic because they don't ever get either too cold or too hot. They are capable of remaining at a safe temperature, and that means they also are good insulation for roofs.
Asphalt
Asphalt is always in demand, but this year asphalt shingles are a huge trend. There are different new types of asphalt on the market today, including laminate asphalt shingles and asphalt shingles that contain a type of cooling granule. Asphalt is already an energy efficient roofing material, but these two newer types are even better for energy efficiency, making them in especially high demand, considering California's tougher regulations. Laminate asphalt shingles are extremely durable, and they come in more colors and styles than before. In fact, recent reports show demand for asphalt to grow as much as 80 percent this year and beyond.
Cool roof
A cool roof is a roof that utilizes reflective and energy efficient materials that reduce the buildup of heat. This makes buildings energy efficient from the top down, keeping interiors comfortable during hot summer months. Cool roofs are the biggest trend of the year because they pull more energy from natural reflection. Cool, reflective roofs can be added to dark roofs in order to cool down their surfaces. The Cool Roof Rating Council, an organization created in the late 1990s to develop better methods of evaluating roofing materials, reports that the concept of cool roofing is growing at a quicker pace than any other aspect of the roofing industry. This growing popularity has given the industry good reason to come up with more cool roof coatings, such as silicone, polyurethane, and acrylic.
Lighter colors
Another big trend for the summer in commercial roofing is the use of light-colored materials that better absorb the sun's rays. Lighter colors are an obvious choice on hot days. Wearing a dark color on a hot summer day is a notorious heat generator. Using dark colors on the roof of a commercial building is a trend that is fading fast, and it's not just happening in warmer parts of the country or in California due to stricter regulations. Commercial roofers across the United States are trending toward light-colored roofs because of their great energy efficient properties that make better use of the sun's natural resources, and that means less energy usage and lower energy bills.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, businesses that use between 60 and 70 percent less energy than conventional commercial buildings are considered 'net zero.' This means the energy used comes from renewable energy sources. And, as net zero energy consumption is becoming the buzzword of the year, the commercial roofing trends for the 2014 season and into 2015 are all about limiting carbon footprint and utilizing nature's bounty. And, as Orange County is a pinnacle of sunlight that can be easily drawn from for its heating needs, commercial roofers are maximizing the benefits with roofing designs that are expected to last for decades. Sustainability, solar reflectivity, and longevity are not just trends, but terms to live by well into the future.
Clay
A roof designed with clay materials is not only attractive and stylish, but it can provide superior solar reflectivity, and that means better methods of heating and cooling, lower energy bills, and greater energy efficiency. Because clay stores heat well, its use is growing, making it one of the year's most utilized roofing materials. Clay tiles don't just look good. They're also very practical because they hold heat and cold well. Clay roofs are pragmatic because they don't ever get either too cold or too hot. They are capable of remaining at a safe temperature, and that means they also are good insulation for roofs.
Asphalt
Asphalt is always in demand, but this year asphalt shingles are a huge trend. There are different new types of asphalt on the market today, including laminate asphalt shingles and asphalt shingles that contain a type of cooling granule. Asphalt is already an energy efficient roofing material, but these two newer types are even better for energy efficiency, making them in especially high demand, considering California's tougher regulations. Laminate asphalt shingles are extremely durable, and they come in more colors and styles than before. In fact, recent reports show demand for asphalt to grow as much as 80 percent this year and beyond.
Cool roof
A cool roof is a roof that utilizes reflective and energy efficient materials that reduce the buildup of heat. This makes buildings energy efficient from the top down, keeping interiors comfortable during hot summer months. Cool roofs are the biggest trend of the year because they pull more energy from natural reflection. Cool, reflective roofs can be added to dark roofs in order to cool down their surfaces. The Cool Roof Rating Council, an organization created in the late 1990s to develop better methods of evaluating roofing materials, reports that the concept of cool roofing is growing at a quicker pace than any other aspect of the roofing industry. This growing popularity has given the industry good reason to come up with more cool roof coatings, such as silicone, polyurethane, and acrylic.
Lighter colors
Another big trend for the summer in commercial roofing is the use of light-colored materials that better absorb the sun's rays. Lighter colors are an obvious choice on hot days. Wearing a dark color on a hot summer day is a notorious heat generator. Using dark colors on the roof of a commercial building is a trend that is fading fast, and it's not just happening in warmer parts of the country or in California due to stricter regulations. Commercial roofers across the United States are trending toward light-colored roofs because of their great energy efficient properties that make better use of the sun's natural resources, and that means less energy usage and lower energy bills.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, businesses that use between 60 and 70 percent less energy than conventional commercial buildings are considered 'net zero.' This means the energy used comes from renewable energy sources. And, as net zero energy consumption is becoming the buzzword of the year, the commercial roofing trends for the 2014 season and into 2015 are all about limiting carbon footprint and utilizing nature's bounty. And, as Orange County is a pinnacle of sunlight that can be easily drawn from for its heating needs, commercial roofers are maximizing the benefits with roofing designs that are expected to last for decades. Sustainability, solar reflectivity, and longevity are not just trends, but terms to live by well into the future.