Cool Roofs Are the Perfect Topper for Steel Buildings

What’s the only way to top awesome steel buildings? Cool roofs, of course. No matter what other decisions you make about your metal building project, choosing the right roof is one of the most important. The right roof will affect the appearance, energy efficiency, maintenance costs and the lifespan of your new steel building. Here’s what you need to know about choosing cool roofs for steel buildings.

Materials

Topping a steel building with a steel roof seems like a no-brainer, and there are a number of good reasons for that. Steel is stronger than wood, is fire-resistant and is not prone to mold, decay, warping or cracking. In addition, wooden roofs absorb heat while steel roofs reflect it. That gives steel a natural ability to conserve energy.

Energy Efficiency

Steel is an environmentally friendly building material in and of itself, but there are adaptations that can make your green roof even greener. You can add interior insulation or exterior spray foam coating to slow heat transfer, choose a more energy-friendly color, add energy-saving accessories and choose a specific pitch.

Insulation

Air leaks are among the main causes of wasted energy in any building. Insulation helps save energy and keeps your new metal building more comfortable. Choose roof insulation based on the local climate – but keep in mind that most experts recommend an R-30 value for insulating roofs.

Spray Foam Insulation

A liquid polyurethane spray coating forms an additional layer of protection on your roof. It provides extra insulation that reduces energy consumption and lower utility bills. It’s most commonly used on roofs where appearance is not important.

Color

Light roofs are generally considered to be more energy efficient than dark roofs because they have a higher reflective rating. In general, light roofs are recommended in most areas of the country. In areas where there’s a strong chance of heavy snow loads, however, dark roofs can be a better choice. In addition, keep your eyes peeled for new innovations in paint, including highly reflective dark colors and paint with embedded solar cells.

Pitch

The slope of a roof has a major effect on the energy efficiency of a green roof on a steel building. Flatter roofs tend to absorb more heat while pitched roofs reflect it. Pitched roofs also shed water and snow more easily than flat roofs, and are more attractive to most homeowners. Be sure to discuss the implications of roof pitch with your steel building supplier.

Accessories

Finally, consider some of the accessories and additions you can make to the roof of your steel building. Today’s steel buildings can include skylights, vents, solar panels and many other accessories that make them greener and more energy efficient.