Choosing Cool Roofing Materials for Hot Climates

Your roof is one of the most crucial factors in controlling the temperature in your home. This is of particular importance in hot climates where sun exposure is frequent and inside temperature is naturally high. You should choose materials with respect to the support and frame strength of your home but there are plenty of options to stay cool during the warm seasons for all homes. With cool roofing materials, you can successfully repel hot temperatures, and keep your house cool all summer long.

Here’s what you should know about choosing cool roofing materials.

Heavier Roofing Materials

If your home is built with a reinforced roofing structure, or you are willing to invest in such enhancements, there are considerably more cool roofing options available to keep your home colder. Concrete tiles are a perfect example. While one of the heavier materials available, concrete is slow to heat. It is also available in lighter colors which provide additional reflecting of solar rays.

For a more rustic look, clay and terra cotta tiling provides many of the same attributes as their concrete counterparts. “S” tiles interlock to create arch-shaped gaps which allow not only for moisture runoff, but also increased air circulation. When combined with light coloration for added sunlight deflection, this type of cool roofing material can provide outstanding cooling properties.

A final choice for heavy tile roof construction is slate roofing, a very popular choice for classic European-style homes. Like clay and concrete, slate tiles do a good job of shrugging off the beating sun. This keeps your house feeling cooler, reducing energy consumption.

Lightweight Options

When time and budgetary concerns exist, you will most likely want to choose from lighter-weight cool roofing materials. For flat roofs that are not visible from the ground level, membrane roofing can deliver outstanding hot-weather performance at a value.

For a more traditional look with the benefit of ample heat protection, metal roofing is one of the top choices available. As with tile configurations, light-colored metal panels are ideal for maximum solar deflection. In any case, metal is very low in weight, affordable, and great for keeping the heat outside.

Whether you are building a new home or upgrading your existing one, there are number of cool roofing options to keep cool when the heat is on. Consult a professional roofer to determine the load-bearing capacity for your home if you are unsure about employing heavier materials and you will be sure to proceed with the greatest confidence.