Sizzling Temperatures and Your Roof

It has been a hot one in Niagara this summer!

So as a roof expert, I often get asked the question of if a roof can make a difference in keeping things cool inside.

Believe it or not, your roof does make a difference. There are a number of different roofing factors that can change the amount of heat that’s either absorbed into your home or reflected off. It’s important to note that these factors don’t change in the winter, either. Roofs that absorb more heat in the summer will also absorb more heat in the winter, which can actually be a positive when it comes to melting snow and keeping your home warm in the winter. Let’s look at the four most important roofing factors that affect the temperature of your home:

COLOUR
As you’ve probably heard from many, the colour of your roof does affect how much heat is absorbed into your attic. A study has shown that the plywood under dark roofs in direct sunlight is consistently 10 to 15°F hotter than the plywood boards under light colored roofs. Lighter colors are reflective and cause much of the heat to from light rays to bounce off, meaning they hold much less heat than a darker roof.

At this point you might be thinking, then why do I see so many dark colored roofs? Well, it can often be beneficial to have a darker roof, because the heat they absorb helps melt off snow before it gets too heavy. While the color of your roof does change the amount of heat that’s absorbed into your home, there are so many other factors that can change your home’s interior temperature that you shouldn’t shy away from a darker roof color if that’s what your prefer.

ROOFING MATERIAL
The material of your roof can also have a big impact on how much heat is absorbed into your home. For example, an asphalt roof only reflects an estimated 30% of light that hits your home, regardless of if you have dark or light shingles. A metal roof is very reflective, which means that a majority of light rays are reflected away from your home, keeping your home and attic at an even temperature year round. Though these are the top two most common types of roofing material, every option, from tile roofs to concrete flat roofs, offer a different rate of light and heat absorption. If you have a favorite roofing material that you’d really like to install in your new home, but are worried about its energy efficiency, it’s good to know that most materials do have a cool roof option.

ROOFING TECHNOLOGY
Cool roofs are a great way to get the roofing color and material that you wanted, at a better energy efficiency rate. A cool roof is a roof that has been designed to absorb less heat and reflect more sunlight than a standard roof. Some roofing materials come in “cool roof” options, and others can be altered with a highly reflective type of paint or coating to absorb less heat. In most cases, a cool roof will stay a great deal cooler than a non-cool roof of the same color and construction. Though these materials often cost a bit more upfront, if you’re looking for energy savings, that’s what you’ll get. These types of roofs are sure to keep your home nice and cool, even on the hottest days of summer. They’re a great way to reduce air conditioning needs and save a bit of money on your energy bill.

ROOF AND ATTIC CONSTRUCTION
It’s important to note that regardless of what type of roofing material you end up with, roofing construction and attic ventilation are the two most important factors that go into keeping your home a comfortable temperature.  If your home is well-built, and your attic has the right amount of insulation, and ventilation so that excess heat can escape, then the heat coming in from the roof really shouldn’t have a major impact on the temperature of the rest of your home. Proper ventilation should provide cooling properties for your roof’s shingles, while insulation will keep any excess heat from reaching past your attic.

In the end, it’s important to choose a roof that works best for your home first. While shingle color, roofing material, and technology all can have an impact on the temperature of your home, a roofing professional can also offer assistance in making the right choice.

For all your roofing needs, my team and I at Class Eh! Roofing would be pleased to assist you. Please contact us on the link HERE.

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