Materials
Energy-Efficient Roofing That Actually Lowers Your Bill
Cool-roof shingles, radiant barriers, ventilation and insulation — ranked by what returns the most for Panhandle homes.
By Taylor Smith · · 5 min read
Plenty of products are marketed as energy-efficient roofing. Here is the honest ranking for this climate.
1. Attic air sealing and insulation
Boring and unbeatable. Sealing top-plate penetrations and bringing insulation to a proper depth returns more per dollar than anything on the roof surface.
2. Balanced ventilation
Cheap during a re-roof, and it lowers attic temperature, which lowers the load on ductwork that usually runs through that attic.
3. Radiant barrier decking
Foil-faced sheathing reflects radiant heat back out. Meaningful in a re-deck or new build, hard to justify on its own.
4. Cool-roof / reflective shingles
Solar-reflective granules run cooler than standard shingles of the same color. Real but modest, and only worth a premium if you were replacing anyway.
5. Reflective metal
Highest surface performance of the group, highest cost. Best justified when you also want the lifespan.
What to do during a re-roof
The roof is open once. Fix ventilation, verify insulation, consider radiant barrier decking if sheathing is being replaced anyway, and pick a lighter color. Together those changes are noticeable on a July bill; any one alone usually is not.
