When looking for roofing solutions in Henderson, it's essential to think about the local climate and building needs. Henderson is in the middle of a hot desert, with plenty of sunshine. This makes all kinds of energy-efficient structures vital if property owners here want to keep their buildings comfortable and save money on utility bills. Roofing that reflects rather than absorbs heat is an idea whose time has come, and there's a good chance it will be embraced here. These "cool roofs" not only save energy; they also have a longer lifespan because they can more effectively handle the daily cycle of heating and cooling that normal roofs endure. Cool roofs were once something of a specialty item, but they're becoming more mainstream, so to speak.
Choosing the appropriate cool roofing substance necessitates a consideration of several factors: the slope of the roof, aesthetic preferences, and the desired longevity of the roof. For roofs with a steep slope, "cool" asphalt shingles could be a good choice. They provide a traditional appearance that is very much in style and have modern reflective capabilities. On the other hand, roofs with a low slope or that are flat could benefit from membranes made of TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which are highly reflective, durable, and don't appear "commercial" in style. Tile roofs, a common choice in Henderson, can also become "cool," particularly if one's inclination is to use lighter colors or if one opts for "cool" coatings. Finally, one should consider any local regulations.
The benefits of putting on a cool roof go far beyond energy savings and indoor comfort. Reducing the urban heat island effect is a cool roof's most significant contribution. In an area like Henderson, where hard surfaces abound, cool roofs can help counteract the heat produced by all that asphalt and concrete. On a hot day, the air above ordinary roofing can be anywhere from 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the air above a standard blacktop parking lot. That’s because our roofs are designed to be flat so that water won’t run off and to take advantage of every square inch of possible sun exposure for solar energy collectors. On your standard urban flat roof, a representative portion of which is taken in the photograph on the previous page, you have at least two layers of heat. First, the sunlight directly hits the surface, which then...