An annoying part of operating a commercial building is the frequently-large energy bills. With the need to both heat and cool a large building all year, often 24-hours a day, costs can often rise to dramatically high amounts. Thankfully, there are dependable ways to save money through making your building more energy-efficient, many of which involve installations and added features to the building’s roof.
Look into Polyiso Insulation
Polyiso a rigid foam board insulation that is widely used in all sorts of building types due to its strong thermal performance. Most energy-minded builders, architects, and contractors love Polyiso insulation, as it is readily available and very cost-effective. Polyiso also has many benefits in comparison to other types of insulation. For instance, the material has a high R-value per inch compared to most others. Furthermore, Polyiso keeps stable over a wide range of temperatures, and can be used in roof systems that make use of hot asphalt. Other advantages include outstanding performance in fire tests, affordable costs, and low moisture absorption. Chamberlin can help you with the process of installing energy-efficient insulation and lowering your energy bill.
Soffits
A ‘soffit’ is the horizontal underside of a roof’s overhang. Soffits are highly useful for commercial buildings, as they play an important role in ventilation. Generally, they help create a more efficient interior climate control, and they help to protect the roof from expensive moisture damage. Additionally, soffits have a decorative element, making a building’s roof look modern and complete. Chamberlin is experienced at soffit installation and enjoys helping clients become more energy-efficient.
Use Energy-Efficient Materials
When building or renovating a roof, energy-efficient materials are a great way to reduce costs in the long run. There are several great options for materials, but one excellent choice is metal. Metal roofs have tremendous energy-efficiency, as they impart exceptional insulation and cooling possibilities for commercial buildings. Furthermore, metal roofs also help reflect the sun, helping to keep top floors cooler. Besides metal, lighter-colored materials work great as well — they provide reflective benefits and improve cooling efficiency, creating a truly energy efficient building. In contrast, darker materials absorb heat, which can increase a building’s interior temperature.
Install Skylights
Skylights are a great way to provide more light to employees and residents without the need for as many fixtures. Skylights reduce energy costs by lessening electricity requirements, as fewer lights need less power than before. Skylights also help with cooling expenses, as certain fixtures can give off a surprising amount of heat. Furthermore, with UV protection, skylights can help reduce glare and prevent areas from being overheated. Definitely consider installing skylights in your building if it is a practical solution as they will lower energy costs and improve the livelihood of those beneath them.
Use Roof Underlayments
Roof underlayment is a waterproof or water-resistant material that is installed directly into a roof deck as a barrier. It helps to provide a layer of protection from severe weather, and is applied below the other roofing materials. Common roof underlayments used currently are mostly synthetic, which are very tear resistant and stable. The main benefit of installing roof underlaymentsis that it is that they provided an effective moisture barrier. The material provides commercial roofs with another layer of protection, which shingles alone cannot hope to match. This helps to protect your roof against extreme weather, saving money on any moisture damage.
Written by Matt Lee, owner of the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.