For a commercial building, it is important to implement energy-efficient solutions because of the many advantages they provide. Modern commercial buildings nowadays focus on achieving energy efficiency by installing solar panels, updating the electrical system, or eliminating unnecessary machines and appliances.Â
However, there is one method that some commercial building owners forget to incorporate, and that is creating an energy-efficient roof. If you are planning to make your roofing energy-efficient, check out these expert tips.Â
1. Reflective Coating
The first method for achieving an energy-efficient roof is applying a reflective coating. Metal roofings usually last for at least 50 years, but adding a reflective coating can make it last even longer. As the name suggests, the reflective coating’s job is to reflect the incoming heat from the sun.Â
When you don’t have proper insulation, the heat can pass through the other side of the roof and make the inside of the building hot. But when you apply a reflective coating, the heat will reflect off the roof and keep the building cool. Another significant property of the coating is it prevents rust on metal roofing and makes your roof white.
2. Metal Roofing
You can choose to have metal roofing during the initial planning stage of construction as it is durable and has reflective properties. You also can add the reflective coating on the metal roof.Â
When heat transfer occurs inside a building, your building’s central cooling system, like the HVAC, will have to work twice as much to provide adequate cooling. Remember that the harder your cooling system works, the more energy it consumes, and the higher will be the energy bills.Â
3. Synthetic Materials
When your commercial building has a flat roof, you can install synthetic materials on top of it because of its energy-efficient properties. One can use thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) roofing, a well-known system that most commercial buildings use on their roofs. TPO is a single-ply membrane that is available in light colors, which improves energy efficiency by reflecting heat and light.Â
Another synthetic material that’s excellent to install on flat roofs is bitumen roofing sheets. It’s a cost-effective option that pairs a plastic-like membrane with asphalt. You can apply bitumen on flat roofs if you want to achieve an asphalt-like rooftop. Bitumen is an effective insulator and resists cold and heat very well to create a  comfortable environment inside the building during extreme weather conditions. You can also rely on it because of its effectiveness against wind damage and resistance against leaks.Â
4. Efficient Building Ventilation
It will not matter that you have the best energy-efficient roofing if you cannot improve your building’s ventilation. Some of the heat can still make its way to your building’s attic and get trapped there, making the whole building warmer. One way you can achieve quality building ventilation is by installing an HVAC system.Â
It can help cool the building better by distributing cool or warm air in specific rooms through the duct systems. However, you can only achieve better air distribution by cleaning out the ducts from time to time. You will need to hire professional duct cleaning services to ensure that they are cleaned as efficiently as possible.Â
5. Roof Skylights
Several commercial and industrial building owners install skylights on their roof as they provide natural sunlight, reducing the need for artificial lighting. And when you reduce energy consumption, you can also lower your energy bills. Besides, most industrial buildings usually don’t have separate offices inside since they mostly use them to store tons of products or large machines.Â
You don’t have to fret about harmful UV rays because the skylight can reduce glare and heat inside the building. It only lets adequate lighting pass through, ensuring the occupants inside the facility are not exposed to the UV rays. One other benefit of letting in natural sunlight is it increases productivity by creating a more positive environment.Â
Keep these tips in mind if you want to achieve an energy-efficient roof. And if maintenance personnel and workers need to access the roof, provide safe and easy access by installing a galvanized steel roof hatch.
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