New Innovations in Environmental Roofing Options

The realm of roofing is continually expanding, as environmentally friendly options continue to be invented, and traditional systems are seeing dramatic changes. Blue roofs and solar roofs in particular are part of the latest roofing technology today, with benefits that include reducing energy expenses, maximizing efficiency, and preserving Mother Earth.

Blue Roofing: The Wave of the Future is Here

These clever roofing systems are also called controlled flow roof drain systems and are designed to collect and store rainwater short-term. Blue roofs are becoming a popular option in urban areas where the release rate of storm water help prevent water ponding and sewage drain flooding. Blue roofing is designed to release water into the building’s drainage system at a controlled rate, much like traditional storm water ponds.

This modern roof system can help lower energy costs, as some configurations include trays that act as a sunlight barrier and insulator, and the evaporating water from the surface helps keep roofs cooler. Blue roofs are ideal for low-slope or flat roofing systems and can even be part of an attractive “green” roof design. These roofs can use integrated systems to spray water atop the roof’s vegetation. Talk about environmental innovation at its finest!

Solar Roofing Soars to New Heights

Solar roofs are not a new concept. But improvements within the industry over the years are quite impressive. The latest environmentally friendly development in solar roofing has the roofing material itself serve as ‘panels.’ One version of this technology, introduced by Tesla and primarily intended for steep-slope applications, embeds solar cells into roofing materials such as shingles, slate, and terra cotta tile. They are installed on the building very similarly to their conventional roofing counterparts and have the same appearance.

The greatest appeal of the new Tesla system is that they offer much higher efficiency levels than conventional solar options, with capture and conversion rates of up to 98 percent. However, the biggest drawback to the system is cost. While traditional shingles may run around $2 per square foot, Tesla solar materials average $22 per square foot. Cost versus savings over 30 years should be estimated to determine whether this innovative roofing is worth the investment.

If you’re considering ether a blue roof or solar option, here are a couple considerations:

• Either option can add weight to your roof. Before investing, you should have a structural engineer verify that your building can support it.
• If you’re installing a blue or more conventional solar panel system on a flat roof, your roof system manufacturer may require a certain type / thickness of membrane to issue what’s referred to as an “overburden” warranty. Check your warranty before installing one of these types of systems.

Learn more about roofing options for your home or commercial building. Contact Royalty Roofing at 812-523-8392 to speak to a member of our team.