You can offset your energy bill and create clean energy without unsightly, bulky, rack-mounted solar panels on your roof. With the sleek, modern design of GAF Timberline® Solar, you can generate reliable, clean energy for your home but still enjoy the extraordinary appearance of a uniform-looking roof.
Solar shingles are installed flush to the roof to provide an aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional solar panels. And GAF Timberline roofing shingles without solar capabilities match the size, shape, and color of solar shingles creating a seamless appearance for your roof.
Read on about this clean energy created from your roof, and learn answers to common questions about solar shingles.
Common Questions about Solar Shingles
1. What type of maintenance do they require?
Timberline Solar shingles are designed to require little to no maintenance. Rain helps wash off any dirt or debris accumulation, but if they need additional cleaning, you can gently rinse them with a garden hose when they are cool.
2. How durable are they?
Solar shingles offer durable protection from the elements just like a conventional roof does. When you choose solar shingles, your home will be safeguarded from storms and extreme temperatures. They protect your house from costly leaks and moisture infiltration.
3. Are they warrantied?
Timberline Solar shingles are warrantied against weather conditions such as snow, rain, and wind.
4. Can the clean energy they produce be measured?
Homeowners who invest in solar shingles can monitor output and track their clean energy production by logging into the GAF Energy homeowner portal. Solar roof monitoring delivers data into your hands and makes it simple to spot any issues.
5. Are there tax advantages when you have solar shingles installed?
As a homeowner, you should consult your tax advisor on the solar tax incentives available. Typically, when you install GAF Timberline Solar with Christian Brothers Roofing, you will receive a 26% federal tax credit on solar components, a 25-year SolarMax® Technology Warranty for power output, and a 25-year Golden Pledge® Limited Warranty for performance, workmanship, and waterproofing.
6. Will my solar roof come with batteries or grid connection?
Timberline Solar operates in connection with the electric grid and is well-matched with various energy storage offerings on the market. AC-coupled batteries can be added to existing solar installations at any time. Other energy storage systems may require unique equipment for existing solar installations.
7. Are solar shingles available in the Kansas City Metro area?
Yes! Innovative, efficient solar shingles are available for your Kansas City home. Contact us at Christian Brothers Roofing to learn more.
8. How long does solar shingle installation take?
It takes about the same time to install solar shingles as it would take to install a composition shingle roofing system — on average, three to five days. During your installation, the roofing contractor will keep you updated on the progress of your solar roof.
9. Do I need to replace my entire roof to install solar shingles?
Yes. If you want GAF Timberline Solar, you’ll need to replace your whole roofing system. Unlike solar panels, which are installed on top of your system, solar shingles are flush with your roof so they must be installed with coordinating shingles engineered for the solar roofing system by GAF.
10. Why should I choose solar shingles over solar panels?
Timberline Solar incorporates the world’s first nailable solar shingle, which roofing professionals can install as easily as regular roofing shingles with a nail gun. This roof-integrated solar system is seamless, waterproof, and mimics traditional shingle installation.
In contrast, roof-mounted solar panels require specialized installation skills and can puncture your existing roof, creating leaks. When the waterproofing of your roof becomes vulnerable due to the installation of solar panels, your roof will degrade faster, and you’ll have costly problems to overcome due to water infiltration.
Solar shingles are also more pleasing to the eye than solar panels, adding value to your home with better curb appeal than panels.
11. How much do solar shingles cost?
The price of a GAF Timberline Solar roof varies based on the size and slope of your roof, how much sunlight reaches your roof each day, and more. This roofing system is designed to be affordable and compares to the price of a new roof plus traditional solar panels.
It pays to create your own energy and save on monthly utilities year after year. The savings you’ll experience on utility bills will offset the cost of your new roof over time. With solar roofing becoming more popular, solar shingles can benefit your home’s resale value.
12. How much sunlight do the solar shingles need to produce energy?
Solar power is produced by capturing sunlight and converting it into energy. If trees block solar shingles, they won’t produce as they should. Maximum energy generation is accomplished when your roof is free from shade. They are not advised if a roof is heavily shaded due to an obstruction like another building.
If your roof only has light shading, trees may be cut back to make way for the sun to shine on your solar roofing shingles. But the value of installing solar roofing, even with some shade, can vary from house to house—so if you’re curious about how solar shingles may work on your home, reach out to a reputable contractor (like us!) and have it evaluated.
13. Will I save money by going solar?
Yes. You’ll use less energy from the grid and enjoy lower electric bills as a result.
Aesthetically Pleasing Solar Shingles for Your Kansas City Home
At Christian Brothers Roofing, a premier Kansas City roofing company, we’ve partnered with GAF®—the top roofing brand in North America—to bring their cutting-edge, sleek, watertight solar shingles to homeowners in the Kansas City Metro area. Take a moment to learn more about our solar shingle services.
