For years, people have dreamed of Jetsonesque homes that are all but sentient. Many of the tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, climate control and reminding everyone where they need to be, are done within the four walls. Even in the space age, the roof remains the structure that only protects everyone from the weather. Now, our roofs can also be astonishingly high tech. Here are some of the attributes of a “smart” roof.
Amazing Sensors
Some of the abilities of new roof technologies are truly amazing. Now, roofs can be fitted with Internet of Things sensors so delicate that they can detect the tiniest leaks, earth tremors that you could barely register, pollutants and problems with your home’s infrastructure. All of this information is then sent to your device.
Roofing Material That Changes Color
You may be amazed to learn that some roofing materials can intentionally change color. This isn’t merely aesthetic. The color change controls how much sunlight your roof absorbs and reflects. Roof materials do this through their reaction to temperature and through special coatings. Thermochromics is when the roof materials change color depending on the temperature. Some roofs are coated with polymers in solution that stay dark when it’s cold. This lets the roof better absorb heat. When the weather warms up, the polymer turns the roof white to bounce heat and sunlight away from your house.
Roofs That Control Ventilation
Smart roofs can also control how much ventilation enters your home. Ordinary roofs passively allow air to flow through their vents and fenestrations. Smart roofs have sensors that measure the air quality of both your attic and the outside. They then figure out how much ventilation to let in. They can turn on the whole-house fan to remove excess indoor humidity or keep the fan still if the outside humidity is too high.
Solar Roofs
Nowadays, homes not only have solar panels on their roofs, but the roofs themselves can be said to be solar. The very shingles of these roofs have photovoltaic cells built in to provide both energy and weather protection. An onlooker wouldn’t be able to tell that your home now boasts a solar roof, and you no longer have to pay a monthly energy bill.
Anti-Freeze Roof
These smart roofs don’t actually use antifreeze, but they have sensors that assess the temperature. If they determine that the temperature is low enough for ice to form, they heat the roof and melt it. This prevents ice that can tear gutters away from your house and ice dams that force melting ice to back up under your roof and cause severe water damage.
Your contemporary roof can be both “smart” and stylish. Get in touch with your contractor to learn more. When you need new construction roofing services in Wilmington, NC, contact RoofVantage.
