Wisconsin roof contractors embrace the challenges of upper-latitude climate conditions, and the professionals at Lakewood Roofing are ready to help you successfully deal with the frigid northern winters.  Lakewood Roofing has professionals on staff who can evaluate the energy use and thermal loads associated with your roof, and can specify roof systems which comply with the latest ASHRAE standards.  Unlike most WI roof contractors, Lakewood Roofing can calculate a date at which your roof system pays for itself based on energy savings.

Wisconsin climate conditions have also sparked a debate among Wisconsin Roofing Contractors as to the trade-offs between high versus low albedo roof material installations.  Due to "heating day" and "cooling day" considerations there has been a vibrant debate among engineers, system designers, specifiers and Wisconsin roofing contractors with regard to the optimal system for our climate zone based on energy considerations.  Conformity with standard building envelope energy heatflow resistance (R-value) as prescribed by ASHRAE 90.1 - 2004 requires a Zone 6 insulation R-value of 15.87.  With a properly insulated roof system, and due to the relative lack of "cooling days" in comparison to hotter climate regions, the issue of white versus black roofs has yet to be definitively laid to rest for Regions 6 and 7. 

Highly-reflective (high albedo) roof system benefits such as lower roof temperatures and thus lower electrical bills associated with cooling, lower cooling equipment design requirements, increased thermal efficiency of insulation, and probable increase of roof system service life are important in northern climates to a lesser degree than in warmer, sunnier regions.  Less reflective (low albedo) roof systems are generally less expensive initially, and the service life may or may not approach that of a more reflective system.  Insulation efficiency is identical during the cold months, as heat from the building seeks to escape.  During the summer months, a low albedo roof surface is significantly hotter, but with proper insulation design the actual thermal transmission into the building is negligible.  

In situations such as offices and certain manufacturing operations requiring air conditioning during the summer months, highly-reflective roof surfaces allow more energy-efficient cooling and are usually  the right choice.  Wisconsin roof contractors will indicate anecdotally the benefit of low-albedo roof systems during the winter months as the heat from absorbed sunlight on dark surfaces help to melt snow and ice, reducing weight and facilitating drainage.

In northern climates, there are several facors to consider when choosing the right roof system for individual situations, and the right Wisconsin roofing contractor to guide you through the process.  Lakewood Roofing has seasoned professionals on staff ready to assist you.