Kimberly Wright’s article on WNEM.com posted last July 20, 2013 details the effects of urban “heat islands”. The article mentions several studies conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which prove that urbanized locations are much warmer than undeveloped areas. In particular, its surfaces, like pavement and roofing, absorb much of the sun’s heat and release it into the atmosphere, making the air over urban regions warmer over the course of a single day.
New Hampshire might be in the northeastern end of the country, but that doesn’t mean it enjoys cool weather year-round. Humid and extremely muggy summers can occur, and can be aggravated further by existing heat island effects in a given area. Citizens who can’t stand the heat should take the first step in reducing heat islands by calling upon metal roofing companies in Portsmouth, NH, like Performance Roofing Inc., to install cool roofs.
A little heat might be a minor annoyance for some, but heat islands are a very serious matter. An estimate by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that about 8,000 people have died from excessive heat exposure from the year 1979 to 2003—all caused by serious heat island effects. This staggering number of casualties far exceeds the deaths caused by earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, lightning, and tornadoes combined.
The article then enumerates the many efforts made to reduce heat island effects in certain parts of America. State governments have taken an active role in reinventing their cities to better handle the heat. Interestingly, most of the projects undertaken in order to counter heat islands were focused on using green or cool roofs.
Metal might seem like an unlikely material for cool roof construction, but it’s surprisingly effective at dissipating heat at the end of a sweltering day. When applied with a reflective coat, the metal roof will even reduce the amount of heat that permeates its surface, helping buildings keep their cool. Metal roofers from Portsmouth, NH will be happy to fit residential and commercial buildings with these innovative and insulating shades.
Urban heat islands are a genuine hazard, and people living in or near cities should be wary. Thousands have already fallen to heat strokes caused by the extreme heat. As the summers get hotter and hotter, the effects of urban islands will only get worse, and even more people could get harmed. Folks should try reducing the temperatures their properties are absorbing by switching to metal roofs.
I have 20+ years experience in the roofing industry. Throughout that time I have worked with numerous amounts of clients on the design, decision making, and pricing involved in their projects. I also help oversee all day to day operations. Throughout our time in business we have gone through many changes but one thing that will never change is our devotion to customer satisfaction. One of our top sources for referrals is word of mouth from our previous customers. That alone says a lot about the quality of the service our customers receive.
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