McHenry Roofing Has A Message For Climate Conscious Baltimore Residents Searching Online For "Flat Roof Specialist Near Me"

Baltimore roofing company McHenry Roofing is urging the city’s residents, who want their homes to be more energy efficient, to opt for a simple roof modification that has proven to decrease a home’s energy usage.

In an article published in The Atlantic magazine on 31st August 2022, writer Eric Scigliano makes a case for using roofing materials in lighter pale colors to decrease the amount of energy spent on cooling the home. The science behind the claim is sound and backed up by verifiable research.

Lighter colors reflect most of the sun’s light on warmer days and don’t get as hot. This keeps the temperature of the home cooler compared to using darker roofing shingles. This also means that homeowners can save some money on their power bill in the summer months which in Baltimore are hot and humid. The month of July sees temperatures reaching an average high of 88 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of around 73 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Atlantic magazine, which is headquartered in Washington DC, a part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan area, cites several studies on the effect of light-colored roofs around the world on indoor temperatures and energy costs. A study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that white roofs cost considerably less over their lifetime than black roofs because the white shingles don’t stretch or crack in the heat. A study from Australia’s University of New South Wales also found that lighter roofs reduced indoor temperatures by up to 7 degrees Fahrenheit.

The article even brings to the readers’ attention the shocking conclusion of a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 1996 which examined the heat-related deaths in the July 1995 Chicago heat wave. It found that those who lived on the top floor of a building, with a roof right above them, have almost 5 times higher odds of dying in a heat wave compared to the building’s other residents.

The spokesperson for McHenry Roofing, considered to be Baltimore’s most high-quality yet affordable roofing company, chimed in on the debate by saying, “Berkeley Lab, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science lab managed by the University of California, theorized that switching to light-colored roofing worldwide could offset carbon equivalent to the emissions of 300 million automobiles over 20 years. This is a huge saving in emissions, especially when you consider the tiny cost it would take to make it happen compared to other proposed solutions to the climate crisis. We understand that in the United States people opt for darker roofs because they pleasingly contrast with the lighter tones of the siding to increase a home’s curb appeal and, consequently, its property value. However, the power savings for your home will also be significant and ultimately will be hugely beneficial to the planet in the long-term.”

The spokesperson then goes on to explain how McHenry Roofing can help the city’s residents switch to a more energy-efficient roof by saying, “We have been providing licensed and insured roofing services to Baltimore residents for over 25 years. Whether you have a flat roof, a pitched roof, or you run a commercial establishment, we have the roofing solutions to address your needs. For flat roofs, we offer modified bitumen torch down roofing and rubber membrane flat roofing, both of which are available in white and light pastel colors and offer superior thermal performance. For homes with pitched roofs, we carry architectural shingles that are made from high-quality asphalt, fiberglass, or wood materials and are available in a range of colors. If you are looking for the perfect roofing partner in Baltimore to make your switch to a more energy-efficient roof, there is no better option than McHenry Roofing. In case your roof is nearing its end of life or needs repairs, this can be a great opportunity to switch to a brand new lighter-colored roof that serves as proof of your commitment to preserving the future of the planet.”

Readers searching online for “affordable roofing near me” in Baltimore can contact McHenry Roofing at (410) 774-6609 and can expect a response with a quote within 24 hours.