The roof contributes to the charm and identity of the new house. It is also an essential technical element for comfort and safety in the home. Its role is therefore decisive in the energy performance of your home. The choice of materials that compose it and their implementation directly influence your energy consumption and the impact on the environment. Here are some criteria for making the right choices.
Why take care of the energy performance of your roof?
Houses built today are particularly energy efficient and comfortable, both in summer and winter. This feat is linked to better house design, which is now bioclimatic (takes advantage of free energy inputs) and better insulated. These performances are guaranteed by compliance with the thermal regulation RE2020. The choice and design of the roof directly enter into the calculation of the energetic performance of the house. An optimal roof from a point of view thermal thus allows more freedom and choice on other positions in the house.
To help you better understand RE 2020, we have dedicated the article “ New house RE 2020 in the South-West: what consequences for my project? »
The importance of roof insulation
Did you know that most of the heat loss in a poorly insulated home occurs through the roof? This is because hot air rises and escapes primarily through the top. In both new and renovation construction, it is crucial to focus on good attic insulation. High-quality insulating materials in high thicknesses will guarantee low energy losses.
Why insulate the roof under the slopes?
We talk about insulating your roof under the slopes, when the insulation follows the shape of the roof and frees up space in the attic. The living space is therefore improved. The rooms under the roof can in fact be converted or easily used as storage space.
Why insulate unused attic space?
THEinsulation in unused attic space consists of laying the insulation on the upper floor or ceiling. Simpler to implement and less expensive, this solution makes it easier to achieve high thermal performance, particularly in summer, because it offers a buffer space additional space between the exterior and interior of the house.
Between converted attics and unused attics, we've compared the pros and cons of both options to help you choose the solution that best suits your needs.
Choosing the right roofing materials in the South West
The choice of roofing materials is often dictated by regional styles. It can also be imposed by the PLU (local urban planning). Slate roof in the Pyrenees, traditional clay tiles in Nouvelle Aquitaine and Occitania, or zinc roofing, the South West offers a wide variety of roofs. The choice is important because it is this that guarantees, among other things, good protection of the house against rain and wind. The materials thus influence the energetic performance of the house as well as its carbon footprint.
The star mineral tile of the South West
In the large southwest quarter, the terracotta tile dominates the landscape. They are now commonly replaced by concrete tiles which offer longevity, ease of maintenance, comfort and a lower carbon footprint than a terracotta tile because they consume less energy for their manufacture. In terms of shape, classic canal tiles have been replaced by interlocking tiles which last longer and are more resistant to high winds. Oscillating between bright red and cream depending on the area, mineral tiles, both terracotta and concrete, offer a typical landscape and comfortable houses well adapted to their climate, both winter and summer.
Slate, an exceptional longevity that cannot be beaten in the Pyrenees
The sustainability of theslate in fact a particularly material ecological industrial printing process. Natural and elegant, the slate which traditionally covers the Pyrenees houses has many advantages. We are talking about a lifespan of 30 years for the tile which becomes porous and weakens over time compared to 100 years for slate. Indeed, the latter does not fear frost and protects the house durably.
A zinc roof, resistant and modern
Zinc is a particularly smooth material that offers little resistance to wind. Often used for house extensions in the South West for a contrasting integration, it requires very little maintenance and offers a beautiful contemporary appearance on both the roof and the facade. The disadvantage of zinc roofing is that it is a very heat-conducting material. In summer, however, a high-performance insulation and well installed will prevent overheating in the attic.
Air and water tightness
The roof protects against bad weather and prevents the insulation from coming into contact with water, which would reduce its effectiveness. To complete and prevent damage to the insulation in the event of a tile moving, a roof screen, also called a rain screen, is generally installed. As in the rest of the house, it is also necessary to hunt for untimely air leaks. Because a airtight house enhances the effectiveness of insulation and the thermal comfort. This will be the role of the interior facing. On the interior side, vapor barrier membranes which cover the insulation generally reinforce the airtightness and prevent water vapor from penetrating the insulation.
To better understand this subject, which is inseparable from a high-performance new home, read the article » the importance of airtightness"
What color for the roof of the house?
The color of your roof and its material can influence the comfort of the house. Indeed, exposed to the sun's rays, a dark body (albedo (low) heats up, much more than a light body which reflects light energy. A dark roof can thus reach more than 70° C in full sun, when a white roof will remain at room temperature. Poorly insulated, it turns into a real radiator for the attic of the house. However, unused attics, good implementation of insulation and effective under-roof ventilation generally avoid the inconveniences associated with a dark roof. However, if you opt for habitable attics in a hot region, you might as well anticipate global warming and prefer light-colored materials. This choice will also have an influence on your overall living environment. Today, we are thinking about whitening city roofs to combating urban heat islands.
And why not a green roof?
La vegetalized roof, which is generally installed on a flat roof contributes to the thermal performance of the building. In fact, it improves theroof insulation winter and summer. It also helps to reduce the heat island effect. Municipalities are interested in this technique because the reinforcement of vegetation in the city offers a response to the double crisis of climate and biodiversity. Ideal on a flat roof extension, it offers a beautiful landscape to the windows of the upper spaces.
To better understand, read the article on the 13 advantages of flat roof extension.
Integrating solutions for renewable energy
The roof design is also important for the integration of solar panels. The inclination and orientation of the roof has a direct influence on the performance of this equipment. Very advantageous, the photovoltaic panels produce electricity from the sun's rays. thermal solar panels as for them, they are connected to a hot water tank and heat the water for free. Your energy bill and your carbon footprint are particularly reduced.
To go further, read the article “ Reduce the bill with solar energy in the South West »
As we have seen, a roof today can go well beyond protection against bad weather. Producing its electricity, preserving summer comfort and reducing its impact on the environment... this classic element is now revealing its full potential. It is time to take advantage of it.
