Solar panels have become increasingly popular over the past decade, and with good reason. They save the environment while also saving you a lot of money on your energy bills. Those panels do go on your roof, and since not every roof is the same, how will the type of roof affect your installation?
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How Will the Type of Roof Affect My Solar Panel Installation?
Your roof needs to be ready for solar panels. This means that no matter what type of roof you have, it needs to be physically capable of withstanding the weight of those panels.
Best Roofs for Panels
Panels can be installed on pretty much any type of roof, but some roofs will work better than others since they have a more stable foundation.
Asphalt is the most common type of roof and the best for panels. The shingles are durable and flexible so that they won’t collapse underneath the weight. The installation process is easy, too since the installer only needs to drill studs in the roof before attaching the mounts.
Metal is another perfect option for your panels. There are already standing seams in metal roofs, so there’s no need to do any drilling in installation. This saves you money in the cost of labor and ultimately keeps your house cooler.
Less Great Roofing Options
Some roofing options do not perform as well with panels as others or are more expensive when it comes to solar panel installation.
For example, you can put solar panels on tile roofing, but it’ll be more expensive. This is because the labor costs are higher since contractors will need to remove tiles so that they don’t break. They also have to fasten your panels directly to the roof to keep them stable.
Tar and gravel roofs provide great support for solar panels, but if you really want to get the most out of your panels, they need to be inclined at a 30-degree angle. This will require additional hardware, although this isn’t the most expensive option.
Flat Roofing
When it comes to flat roofs, they’ll need to be inclined at the right angle. Fortunately, this isn’t extremely expensive. You just need to have mounts installed on the roof, which shouldn’t impact the existing warranty for your roof. Then, the panels will be screwed in on top by your contractor.
Ground Mounts and Carports
If you find that your roof won’t support solar panels well, or the price of installation might be too much with your type of roof, you might consider ground mounts and carports. They can be placed wherever you need them for solar panels and can get around problems related to having a small or unstable roof.
Will My Roof Work?
You might not know what type of roof material you have, or you might want to check whether your roof is strong enough to support solar panels. Contact us for a quote, and we can give you advice. In general, it’s crucial to repair your roof before you get your panels to be sure that they stay stable for as long as possible.
Conclusion
Your roof type will indeed impact how well your solar panels can be installed. Granted, solar panels can be installed on pretty much any roof, although the price and ease of installation will differ depending on the roof. No matter what type of roof you have, the key lies in it being stable enough to support the panels. Call us today to find out more about how your specific roof type will affect solar panel installation.