Solar Roof: 5 alternatives to Tesla’s clean energy tiles
Tesla has announced a reshaping of its product lineup, leaving many would-be customers upset — but it’s not the only player in solar.
Tesla has reshaped its solar roof offerings — but it’s not the only choice for clean energy tiles.
On Thursday, CEO Elon Musk announced via that the firm would only sell its solar products as an integrated setup with its Powerwall batteries. The tiles will feed exclusively to Powerwall, which Musk claims will enable simplified installations and seamless power backup during utility dropouts.
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It’s a big change for the desirable roof tiles, first unveiled in 2016 as part of a “house of the future.” The tiles, Musk explained at the unveiling, look like ordinary roof tiles to the untrained eye. Solar energy from the tiles is sent to a Powerwall battery, enabling the home to use clean energy even when the Sun’s not shining.
After a slow start to installations, Tesla unveiled a redesigned tile in 2019. These new tiles, designed for faster installations, have led to fans across the United States sharing their new roofs. The new changes, though, aren’t quite so welcome.
This week’s move follows a series of changes that have left consumers frustrated. Earlier this month, Tesla raised the price on the solar roof with a new “roof complexity” rating, which is “determined by the pitch, number of joints, chimneys, and other features on your roof.” Buyers saw their rise by around 30 percent, even after they had signed a contract.
Last month, Electrek also reported that Tesla had stopped taking orders for Powerwall batteries without any solar panels.
“As someone who actually grabbed solar powerwalls, this is anything but consumer friendly,” a Reddit user called “RealPokePOP” wrote in response to this week’s news.
But while the Tesla Solar Roof is an eye-catching prospect, it’s not the only choice. Here are five alternatives that could suit buyers’ needs.
Tesla Solar Roof alternatives: Luma Solar Roof
The Luma Solar Roof claims to be the only upgradable solar shingle system, with a seamless design that installs like standard metal roofing. It’s rated to withstand category five hurricanes, and it has a 25-year limited power warranty.
Each 80-watt tile, which packs monocrystalline cells, measures 54 inches by 15 inches. By comparison, Tesla’s tiles measure 45 inches by 15 inches each.
Michigan-based Luma first started developing the shingles back in 2007. In 2016, after Musk unveiled Tesla’s tiles, Luma president Robert Allen told Huffington Post that “we were the first out.”
Tesla Solar Roof alternatives: CertainTeed
The CertainTeed Apollo II touts 70-watt modules measuring 46 inches by just under 18 inches. Like Luma, they also feature a 25-year limited power warranty.
The cells will work as part of either a new or existing asphalt shingle roof. They’re installed directly into the roof sheathing with standard deck screws, and the fastening points are covered by subsequent solar cells.
CertainTeed also offers the Apollo Tile II, designed to blend into a new or existing concrete tile roof:
Unlike Tesla and Luma, which are designed to cover an entire roof, CertainTeed’s cells benefit from blending into an existing roof. The tiles do lack the subtlety of the other two, which means there’s a slight tradeoff involved.
The tiles have received a warm reception. John Stevens, president of Colorado home builder Sopris Homes, told Solar Builder Magazine that his team used the tiles on a five-bedroom home in Longmont.
“The homeowner has gotten a lot of nice Комментарии и мнения владельцев about the roof,” Stevens told the publication. “From a distance, it looks just like a regular concrete tile roof. People are surprised to learn that it is generating energy.”
Tesla Solar Roof alternatives: SunTegra
SunTegra’s solar roof shingles, similar to CertainTeed, blend in with a composition roof. The firm boasts 50 percent fewer parts than a standard rack-mounted solar system, and installations twice as fast. The roof offers a limited power warranty of 25 years, and the shingle measures just under 53 inches by just over 23 inches.
Solar price comparison site EnergySage noted that SunTegra’s offering is an improvement over traditional solar panels, thanks to their lower profile against the roof.
Tesla Solar Roof alternatives: Exasun
Netherlands-based Exasun told CleanTechnica that it started producing its solar roof tiles back in 2015. Its sleek X-Tile system packs monocrystalline silicon cells into shingles that measure 41 by 17 inches, with a peak power output of 65 watts. The tiles come with 30-year product workmanship and linear power warranties.
Tesla Solar Roof alternatives: GB Sol
U.K.-based GB Sol produces its PV Slate tiles in Wales. The blue-grey slate tiles are designed to withstand the country’s weather. Each tile weighs six pounds, lighter than the slate tiles they replace. The largest tiles measure 23 by 12 inches and offer a power capacity of up to 35 watts. Like Tesla and Luma, GB Sol offers passive tiles to make the roof look completely seamless.
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Tesla solar roof price increase leads to lawsuits
In Tesla’s latest solar roof blunder, the company altered solar roof pricing after customers had already signed contracts. Image courtesy of Tesla, Inc.
Tesla’s solar roof has been the “next big thing” for the last nine years. The solar roof is designed with active solar shingles that generate electricity for your home, and inactive shingles that act as a traditional roofing material, so you can go solar without sacrificing the aesthetics of your home.
Sounds great, right? But after nearly a decade, it seems the only thing going to the moon is the price of the Tesla solar roof and the number of Tesla lawsuits.
In April 2021, Tesla imposed significant price hikes on their solar roof product not only for new projects, but for homeowners who had already signed contracts, as well. For some Tesla customers, the price increases were double what they agreed to pay in their original contract, and included no upgraded materials or designs.
The contract changes led many Tesla solar roof customers to file lawsuits against the company in hopes that they could get their original contract back.
So why did Tesla impose these price hikes? And what does this mean for the future of the Tesla solar roof? In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Tesla’s solar roof price increases, the lawsuits, and what it all means for the future of the solar roof.
How much can you save by switching to solar?
Tesla imposes drastic price hikes for all solar roof projects
When Tesla’s solar roof first launched, it was quite expensive. Only people who could afford the 100,000 price tag of the new high-tech roof could enjoy it. Then when Tesla launched the Solar Roof V3 in 2019, the price was substantially lower than the original.
In fact, the new iteration of the solar roof cost so much less than its predecessor, that in some cases it was cheaper to install a Tesla solar roof than it was to completely replace a roof and install a conventional solar panel system. It seemed as though it was finally the time for the solar roof to take off.
That all came crashing down in March 2021 when Tesla raised the price of their solar roof substantially. For some projects, the price would be over 40% higher than it would have been prior to the price hikes.
And Tesla didn’t stop there. Just a month later, in April 2021, the solar roof skyrocketed again. The cost is now up to 72% more than what it was at the start of 2021. A solar roof project that would have cost around 27,000 at the beginning of the year now costs almost 47,000.
But Tesla didn’t just raise the price for new solar roof projects. they increased the price for people who had already signed contracts. The contracts sent out by Tesla with new pricing did not include any different materials or designs: they were the same exact plans as before, just with a much higher price tag.
Some homeowners saw installation costs that were double that of what they signed off on just weeks before their installation was set to begin, and they were not happy about it, to say the least. And since Tesla is known for having poor customer service, many Tesla customers found the best way to get the company’s attention was through legal action.
Homeowners sue Tesla for changing solar roof contracts
After seeing such drastic price jumps from their original contracts, many homeowners decided to take Tesla to court. A complaint filed earlier this week in North California stated:
“After completing the sales agreements, and while the consumers have been making plans for the installations, in classic bait-and-switch fashion Tesla is now informing these consumers they must pay upwards of a 50% price hike on the cost of the Solar Roof if they want to proceed with the installation and if they do not pay promptly, they risk losing their place in line for installation.”
According to Business Insider, one California homeowner signed his Tesla solar roof contract for 71,000 in March 2021. In April, Tesla notified him that the project cost would now be 146,462. After speaking to a Tesla representative, the homeowner was offered a free Powerwall battery, aka a 9,500 consolation gift for a 75,000 upcharge.
lawsuits are still being filed against Tesla for the changed contracts. Right now, it is unclear what Tesla’s response will be or how the court will proceed.
Why did Tesla change their solar roof prices?
Tesla’s price hikes boil down to the company grossly underestimating how complex roofing installations can be.
With any roof replacement, the more intricate the roof, the more the installation will cost. If your home has multiple floors, dormers, vent pipes, a chimney, or has a steep pitch, it takes more labor and materials to get the job done.
Prior to March 2021, Tesla was charging a flat rate of 7.65 per square foot for their inactive roofing materials, no matter how complex the roof was. Turns out, that’s not cost-effective. That’s when Tesla implemented “roof complexity” into their solar roof ordering process. So, in order to purchase a Tesla solar roof, you had to deem your roof simple, moderate, or complex, which would ultimately alter the price.
It’s not surprising that Tesla had to include roof complexity into their solar roof installations. you should have to pay more for an installation that requires more labor and materials. But, when they added roof complexity, they bumped up the a lot, even for simple roofs. Now, a simple roof will run you 14.00 per square foot of roofing material, while a complex roof will cost a whopping 19.24 per square foot. And remember, these don’t even include the solar portion of the roof.
Maybe these would make sense for a premium roofing material like slate, but Tesla’s inactive shingles are made of painted steel. That’s an insanely high price for metal roofing shingles, which usually cost between 7.00 and 10.00 per square foot, including labor costs.
It is possible that Tesla is only increasing the price of the inactive roofing materials because they want to keep the cost per watt of the solar shingles low. So, maybe that could explain why there is such a large disparity between traditional metal shingles and Tesla’s. But, it’s impossible to know for sure.
Tesla’s effort to make the solar roof mainstream crashes and burns
Even Elon Musk admits that Tesla made significant mistakes when it came to the solar roof. Tesla’s one-size-fits-all approach just doesn’t quite work when it comes to roofing. The company has always been all about simplicity, making their solar ordering process as easy as buying a shirt online.
And while this model kind of works for solar, roofing is a whole different ballgame. Simpler isn’t always better.
Plus, Tesla hasn’t delivered on a lot of promises they made about the solar roof historically. In 2016, they claimed that four shingle styles would be available. Meanwhile, only two ever hit the market, despite Elon Musk’s claims that the remaining styles would be available six months after the originals.
With the lawsuits on top of the price hikes, Tesla isn’t really making itself look any better. So for now it seems the Tesla solar roof will remain a luxury product for the wealthy. That is, if you consider it a luxury to buy an extremely expensive product that doesn’t perform as well as cheaper alternatives from a company that alters their contracts after signing and has historically poor customer service.
Tesla’s wishy-washy behavior when it comes to the solar roof could make it hard for consumers to ever trust them when it comes to this product again, no matter how cheap it becomes or how great it performs. Until Tesla sorts itself out, you’re better off going solar with traditional solar panels.
New Kid on the Renewable Energy Block: Solar Roof Tiles
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Tesla’s recent debut of solar roof tiles to replace regular tiles seriously impressed the public. Similar solar roof tiles are the latest addition to the solar industry. However, this technology is far from a modern discovery.
Little did Alexandre Edmond Becquerel (pictured below), way back in 1839, that his humble discovery would benefit mankind almost 180 years later. Becquerel discovered that certain materials produced small amounts of electric current when exposed to light.
The last few decades have seen an explosion in applications and ever-improving efficiency of solar power for domestic and commercial solutions. have also fallen as products such as PV panels become cheaper to manufacture and deploy. Solar roof tiles are the latest incarnation of this well-established and reliable technology for harnessing the power of the sun. Recent innovations will make solar power even more affordable and accessible to the public at large.
‘The Sky’s the Limit’
Solar roof tiles are built to resemble traditional roof tiles. Solar roof tiles, or solar shingles, are thin, photovoltaic (PV) sheets that can be retrofitted to or lay on top of existing roofing products. This makes them more aesthetically pleasing and allows architects to seriously consider them in a design without sacrificing on the buildings look.
Like solar panels, solar roof tiles capture energy from sunlight and can be installed in any climate or environment. Actual efficiencies will vary widely depending on roof pitch, over-shadow from trees and the buildings latitude of course.
[ Clay tile style solar roofing tiles courtesy of JetsonGreen ]
Judge me by my size do you?
Solar roof tiles are smaller than more conventional solar panels being around 30.5 cm wide and 218.5 cm in length and weight around 0.9kgs. They are also generally much thinner, measuring in at about 2.5 cm thick. This means a typical installation would comprise of around 350 tiles, this depends entirely on the roof size.
Build it and they will come
Solar roof tiles are made from thin-film solar cells (TFSC) of copper indium gallium selenide. This is a semiconductor that allows the cells to be thin and flexible. Current research shows that these provide some of the highest conversion efficiency rates, an average of about 10–12 percent.
Other applications use monocrystalline silicon cells and have a higher average efficiency, around 15–20 percent. However, they’re generally more expensive.
Bang for your buck
Depending on the brand and type of tile you purchase, power generated by your solar tiles will vary. Most produce between 13 and 63 watts. According to some estimates, 350 tiles can cut the average utility bill by 40 to 70 percent. All systems require an energy inverter kit in order to harness the power captured by the cells.
[ Typical installation of solar roof tiles, courtesy of solarinstallationpanel ]
Price
For the environmentally conscious or savvy home owner it’s clearly important to know the kind of costs we’re talking about here.
In the UK an average installation would cost between £5,000 and £14,000 for a 1kw or 4kw system respectively. By comparison, a typical PV installation would be around half that. In the US, according to Dow Chemical Company reports, a typical residential install consisting of 350 solar roof tiles can cost at least 20,000 USD.
With Tesla likely to dominate the market in the future, Consumereport.org have conducted a rough and ready calculation to help us out.
For reference a typical traditional roof would cost around:
Clay Tile: 16,000 USD Asphalt: 20,000 USD Slate: 45,000 USD
A Tesla textured glass tile Solar Roof would cost no more than 73,500 USD for the same size. Wow, that’s quite a bit more than say a 20,000 asphalt roof, what gives?
As with conventional solar PV installations, you must think long term. It is an investment after all. The installation will provide “free” electricity, around 2,000 USD a year, over the lifespan of the roof.
Apparently, that’s the typical electric bill in US states like California, Texas, and North Carolina.
Tesla believes the life expectancy of its tiles will be around 30 years. So that saves you around 60,000 USD over the lifetime of the roof with a net cost of around 13,500 USD.
The reason for the hype that Tesla solution includes battery storage tech (see Powerwall), which will enable you to maximise return and allow for 100 percent renewable power to your home. Not bad.
Availability
Solar roofing tiles are generally available globally but their largest market is of course the US and Europe. Most suppliers on the market will source their tiles from one of a few companies. They include:-
Tesla. Not a company that really needs and introduction but Elon Musk’s and his team have expanded into this field with reckless abandon.
CertainTeed were founded in 1904 as General Roofing Manufacturing Company, today, CertainTeed® is North America’s leading brand of exterior and interior building products, including roofing, siding, fence, decking, railing, trim, insulation, gypsum and ceilings.
Rough with the smooth.
For any capital investment price isn’t the only factor to consider.
While the idea of saving the planet, and save on your bills, might be reason enough to purchase solar roof tiles, there are some notable benefits and disadvantages to consider before you install.
Here are a few things to keep in mind before you plaster your roof with PV cells.
Benefits
Aesthetics
The biggest selling point for this tech is clearly their looks. Conventional solar panels are bulky and less than conspicuous on the average roof. Though solar roof tiles clearly cannot blend into, say, clay tiles they do blend into man-made or natural slate and create a more appealing plush finish. You could, of course, forego blending and completely replace existing roofing with this tech.
Rhode Island
People seeking premium solar energy equipment can contact Tesla, which now serves communities throughout Rhode Island.
Tesla is known for providing the most technologically advanced equipment, although it can be expensive. The firm hires qualified professionals that perform services such as property evaluation, the custom design of each energy system, full equipment installation, and maintenance for previous clients. Customers can choose between regular photovoltaic panels or a solar roof.
The solar roof replaces shingles with different ones that acquire energy from the sun. Tesla sells them in four different styles: textured, smooth, tuscan, and slate. Each tiles has an infinite warranty and can last longer than regular roofing materials. Commercial and residential properties can also invest in the Powerwall, which is a battery that stores unused solar energy for a later date.
Interested individuals can contact Tesla to receive a quote that includes the costs of materials and labor.
Tesla can be reached through its website at https://www.tesla.com/energy.
Green NRG
Green NRG remains a professional solar energy firm which can serve commercial and residential properties while making the transition to environmentally friendly energy affordable and simple.
The company sells and installs a broad range of photovoltaic solar panels so clients can choose ones that suit their needs and budgets. Each panel comes with a separate warranty that lasts up to 25 years, and all equipment is inspected and installed by qualified professionals before the job is considered complete. The process is additionally overseen by a project manager.
Green NRG serves many states in the United States, including Rhode Island. It was founded in 2008 and continues to be at the forefront of industry innovation and design. Some of its partners and equipment suppliers include trusted brands such as SunPower, Bosch, Sharp, and SolarWorld.
Interested properties can request a meeting and receive a quote that includes the cost of labor.
Green NRG can be reached through its website at http://www.greenpowersolarpanels.com/ or its phone number 888-589-4006.
RGS
People seeking solar energy systems which are affordable but still of high quality can contact RGS, a firm which serves commercial and residential properties in states such as Rhode Island. Compare quotes for your home.
Interested individuals can contact the firm to receive a free quote and an initial consultation which can happen online or at a client’s home. RGS opened in the late 1970s and currently possesses over three decades of experience in the solar power industry. As of 2018, the firm worked with over 18,500 residential customers and over 6,800 businesses.
Potential clients can request a broad range of services. Experienced employees will evaluate a property to determine whether or not it can handle solar energy, design a unique system that meets a customer’s needs, install the equipment, perform the initial powering, and monitor the entire system for a short period of time to make sure everything works properly.
RGS strives to make solar affordable and therefore works with several different partners like SolarWorld, Enphase, and Unirac.
RGS can be reached through its website at https://rgsenergy.com/ or its phone number 877-747-4338.
Vivint
Residents of Rhode Island who are seeking quality but affordable solar energy systems can contact Vivint, a solar power company dedicated to customer service. Compare quotes for your home.
The firm offers a broad range of services. Qualified employees will first evaluate a site to determine whether or not solar power is viable. They then design a unique system, help the property owners manage permitting, and install all of the equipment. After the initial powering, technicians will monitor the system to identify flaws and make sure it runs correctly.
Vivint specializes in customer service and has won numerous awards, including the 2013 People’s Choice Stevie Award for Favorite Customer Service Provider and Silver Stevie Award for Customer Service Department of the Year. In 2012, the firm was acquired by the Blackstone Group, which continued this emphasis on the clients.
Interested individuals can request a free quote which includes the costs of labor and materials. Vivint primarily works with photovoltaic solar panels.
Vivint can be reached through its website at https://www.vivintsolar.com/ or its phone number 877-404-4129.
New England Clean Energy
New England Clean Energy operates throughout the state of Rhode Island and is one of the only companies that offers a 20-year guarantee on its solar power installations and handiwork.
The firm serves New England and can assist commercial and residential properties alike. The company takes pride in not pressuring clients into purchasing unnecessary equipment, and interested individuals can request a free evaluation to determine whether or not a property can handle the rigors of solar power.
New England Clean Energy hires competent professionals that provide a variety of services. Each customer will have their system custom designed to meet every need, and the installation process takes as little as a few days. People can also request free quotes for the equipment costs and labor.
Potential clients can speak with professionals from New England Clean Energy to also determine how many rebates or tax incentives for which they qualify.
New England Clean Energy can be reached through its website at https://newenglandcleanenergy.com/ or its phone number 877-886-8867.
SunWatt Solar
SunWatt Solar is one of the most experienced solar power companies in Rhode Island and helps residential properties take advantage of new legislation that makes the transition easier, including the Renewable Energy Growth Program.
The firm’s skilled employees offer numerous services, including site assessment, system design and engineering, assistance with permitting, project management, full equipment installation, custom system design, and regular maintenance. SunWatt Solar additionally features professionals that can help commercial and residential properties find financing for the transition to sustainable energy.
The company only installs Tier-1 solar panels and top rated inverters and prefers to use equipment manufactured in the United States. Potential clients can contact SunWatt Solar to schedule a free site visit to evaluate whether solar energy is a viable option for the customer.
Interested individuals can view samples of completed projects to determine whether they like the firm’s quality.
SunWatt Solar can be reached through its website at https://sunwatt.solar/ or its phone number 844-786-9288.
Disclaimer: Solar Tribune provides information and data from a wide range of sources, and cannot independently verify every aspect of the data. Solar Tribune not guarantee the quality or results of working with any installer or parts provider.
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Which Type of Roofing Material Lasts the Longest in Arizona?
One question we get a lot is, “Which roofing material is the best quality and lasts the longest in Arizona?” The answer to this really depends on what factors each homeowner values most. whether it be aesthetics, longevity, overall installation costs, or ease of maintenance. In short, every roofing system has its advantages, disadvantages, and eco-friendly contributions.
The lifespan of your roof will depend on a combination of factors, such as the overall design, quality of materials, environmental conditions, and quality of the installation. Today’s top roofing products can easily last for decades when installed by a qualified roofing professional and properly maintained.
Even still, our severe Arizona heat, monsoon rains, and excessive UV exposure can damage even the best roofing systems. Taking proper care of your roof is critical. Scheduling regular maintenance inspections and have any repairs made promptly to ensure a maximum lifespan and unexpected damage to your home or possessions.
The general various lifespans of each roofing material in Arizona are as follows:
Asphalt Shingles: 25 to 50 years
There are basically two types of shingles: regular 3-tab shingles and architectural shingles. On average, 3-tab shingles are just a few dollars cheaper than the architectural shingles, but they are harder to come by and are usually only used for repairs of existing 3-tab roofs. They are also slightly thinner, which reduces their lifespan to the lower end of the expectancy range, depending on upkeep.
- Advantages of Shingles: Shingles are very affordable option for any pitched roof. Shingles can also provide good fire resistance, with some types even able to combat against hail, wind, and mold growth.
- Disadvantages of Shingles: While most shingle roofing systems last around 20-30 years, there are other shingle types that have the potential to last much longer, while contributing more to the resale value of a home.
- Eco-Friendly: Many shingle types are highly recyclable because they contain asphalt. The asphalt extracted from old shingles is most commonly used in road construction, maintenance and repair, and can also be used to make new shingles. The shingles from one average-sized home in Arizona can pave about 200 feet of a two-lane highway.
- Another eco-friendly advantage to shingles is the optional UV resistant finish, which retains less heat during night hours. These energy efficient shingles save homeowners money by reducing reliance on grid energy to cool the home.
Wood Shakes and Shingles: 30 to 50 years
Wood roofs have declined in popularity in Arizona over time and the quality of materials has seen a general decrease as well. Still, many homeowners like the aesthetic of a wood shingle roof and prefer it to other roofing options.
- Advantages of Wood Shakes and Shingles: Because wood shake roofs are such a layered system, they have a proven lifespan that can outlive other kinds of roofs if properly maintained.
- Disadvantages of Wood Shakes and Shingles: The main disadvantage of wood roofs is that they are not fire resistant without the addition of special chemicals. Because of this, some municipalities in Arizona have put restrictions on how much a roof can be made of wood shake shingles. Shake roofs can also be attractive to termites if not properly treated. Shake roofs are also expensive compared to other roofing systems.
- Eco-Friendly: Shake roofs are very environmentally friendly as they can be reused after use for various things, such as mulch, or can be converted into pellets for wood burning stoves.
Metal/Steel: 50 years
Metal roofs have become quite popular, especially for modern homes and commercial businesses. They offer a very appealing aesthetic that is both clean and modern, as well as a long life.
- Advantages of Metal/Steel Roofs: Metal roofs perform quite well in Arizona and are among the longest lasting roofing materials that require the least amount of maintenance. Metal roofs are also great for fire resistance.
- Disadvantages of Metal Roofs: Metal roofs tend to cost more than other roofing system options. Metal roofs are susceptible to hail and heavy winds. And while beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, some people prefer the look of more traditional materials such as sandcast, clay, and concrete tiles.
- Eco-Friendly: Metal/steel roofs do not absorb much heat and are coated with a finish to reflect the sun’s energy. This helps homeowners keep energy costs down during the extreme heat. And, of course, most metal is highly recyclable.
Tile, Clay, Concrete and Sandcast: 50 years
Tile roofs are the second most popular roofing systems in Arizona. They can be made of clay, concrete, and sandcast. Concrete tiles are generally more affordable than clay, but tend to not last quite as long due to the underlayment being of lesser quality than what typically comes with clay or sandcast tiles.
- Advantages of Tile Roofs: Tile roofs can last up to 50 years in Arizona. Some Arizona tile roofs have even been even known to last up to 80 years! While tile roofs longevity may last the entire duration of a homeowner’s lifetime, the underlayment will need to be replaced every 25-35 years. Undamaged tiles can be re-installed and re-used.
- Tile roofs are also fireproof, resist rot, and the majority of Arizona insects. The concrete tiles themselves are actually cooler than other roofing options, like asphalt shingles, which helps to reduce ambient temperature in the attic and can help save on overall electricity costs.
- Tile roofing systems can also be quite fragile. Walking on tiles can easily break them. Falling tree branches are also culprits. Because of tiles susceptibility of breaking, it’s best to have a qualified roofing professional who is skilled at maneuvering on a tile roof perform any maintenance or repair.
- If you change from asphalt shingle to tile, it typically requires an engineer to ensure the system can support the additional weight.
- Sandcast and clay tile roofs are typically more expensive to replace or repair due to additional labor and material costs.
- Their longevity allows them to outlast multiple re-roofs required with more conventional system.
- Concrete and clay are mineral-based materials that can be easily recycled and reused.
- Concrete tile reabsorbs up to 20% of carbon dioxide emissions.
- Energy efficient installation techniques minimize heating and cooling costs while reducing reliance on your local electric utility.
Foam : 50 years with proper maintenance
Polyurethane foam roofs are the most popular roofing systems for flat roofs in Arizona and are widely used for commercial roofing systems.
Advantages of foam roofs: Polyurethane foam has the ability to withstand the expansion and contraction of a building’s structure. It’s lightweight, durable, and seamless. Foam roofs insulate your Arizona home, leading to a 7 – 15% decrease in cooling costs.
- Disadvantages of foam roofs: Foam roofs are generally more expensive than more traditional options. Depending on the type of coating you select, foam roofing has the potential to require more frequent maintenance than other kinds of roofs. This can also be turned into an advantage if you choose a more premium coating, such as silicone, that requires minimal upkeep.
- Eco-Friendly: Since foam roofs are able to keep homes cool in the summer and warmer in the winter, foam roofs help to reduce energy expenses and reliance on utility sourced energy, which is often produced from dirty, non-renewable sources.
- Each inch of foam has an R-rating of approximately 6.5, which means it’s very efficient at reflecting heat away from the building instead of absorbing it. This also helps keep homes cooler in the summer months.
Azul Roofing Solutions for Your Roof
No matter what kind of roof you choose, it will only last as long as it’s properly maintained and taken care of. At Azul Roofing Solutions, we offer free, no-obligation roof inspections to ensure your roof is always in tip-top shape. If you’ve been considering having your roof looked at, now’s the time to act! Contact us through the button below to request your free site evaluation.