Can Solar Panels Damage Your Roof?
WILL SOLAR PANELS DAMAGE OR RUIN YOUR ROOF?
No, solar panels will not damage o ruin your roof as long as they are installed correctly. The thought of adding solar panels to your roof may be nerve-wracking for you as it is a big change and can seem costly upfront. However, upon proper installation, solar panels should not be of concern because they should not cause permanent damage to your roof so long as it is in good condition and does not already have damage.
That said, installing solar panels is not a weekend do-it-yourself project. If you do not have the proper training, you risk causing damage to your roof or harming yourself.
When considering solar panels’ massive size, you might also wonder if your roof can support their added weight. Your roof should support this extra weight. Still, when choosing the type and size of solar panel you want, make sure you factor in the age of the roof, its material and the estimated weight of the panels.
If you work with roofing and solar panel experts to account for all these factors, your roof should come out unscathed. Solar panels do not damage your roof, and they may even increase the overall value of your house. Homes with solar panels can potentially sell for around 4% more than homes without them.
DO SOLAR PANELS PROTECT YOUR ROOF?
Yes, solar panels can protect your roof, which can alleviate homeowners’ concerns about solar panels and roof damage. As the panels cover your roof and do not lay directly on it, this allows the panels to protect your roof in a variety of ways.
SOLAR PANELS PROVIDE PROTECTION FROM WEATHER
One major advantage of having solar panels is that they block the roof from directly receiving the effects of inclement weather. Hail, rain, snow and wind can damage your roof, wearing it down over time. Solar panels act as shields that block your roof from being directly hit by the elements, protecting it and helping it last longer than it would without solar panels.
SOLAR PANELS CREATE A COOLING EFFECT
Another pro of solar panels is that they also shade your roof in the warmer months. One study reveals that solar panels can cool a building’s ceiling by 5 degrees. This means that because your roof receives less direct sun, it will absorb less heat, and your house will be cooler.
DO SOLAR PANELS AFFECT ROOF WARRANTY?
If you have correctly installed roof-mounted solar panels, they should not affect any existing warranty. Still, it’s wise to check your existing warranties to verify that installing solar panels will not void them.
Typical roof warranties include a warranty on the materials and an installer’s warranty. These guarantee reliable materials and correct installation, respectively.
The addition of solar panels should not affect this because it does not change the material or its installation. The only real modifications being made are the holes drilled into the roof. When done correctly, all warranties should still be valid. Your existing warranty may even have provisions for solar panel installation.
Also, it is important to look at warranty options for the solar panels themselves. Since they are an addition to your roof and will take the brunt of the weather’s effects, you should consider the quality of the solar panels and the guarantee they come with. If they are durable, long-lasting and correctly installed, they take some of the pressure off your roof’s warranties because you are less likely to have roof damage.
In general, you can solve or avoid any possible problems with roof-mounted solar panels and your roof’s warranty by working with professional roofers and solar panel installers.
Leave a Reply