The Impact of Heat and Warm Weather on Your Roof
When it comes to a roof, everyone worries about the winter. Sometimes you don’t know enough about the damage that a hot summer can wreak on your roof. When it comes to maintaining a home, what you don’t know can definitely hurt you or cost you a lot of money and time. Fortunately, you do not have to be an expert to have a roof that keeps out the summer temperatures, humidity, and storms. With these tips, you will understand what you can expect from the summer and how to choose a roof that can handle it.
How Does Heat Affect Your Roof?
You know that winter affects your roof, but you should know that your summer roofing also takes a beating. Here are a few ways that heat affects your roof.
Changes in Summer Temperatures
If your roof maintenance checklist shows a lot of potential problems like curling or cracked shingles, it may not just be the winter that’s to blame. Rapid changes in temperature, which can happen when the summer heat bakes your roof and then cools off at night, trigger your roofing components to expand and contract. A proper installation should provide a nice, tight seal that keeps out the wind and rain. Once your shingles start to move due to those temperature changes, though, all bets are off.
Summer Humidity
A lot of people worry primarily about roof heat, but humidity can be just as damaging or worse. There are very good reasons to use your air conditioner during the summer, especially because it can extract humidity out of the indoor space. Experts recommend that you keep your indoor humidity at 30 to 50 percent. Of course, the air conditioner can’t work as effectively against the humidity that gets trapped under your shingles. If you’re wondering why your roof could ever grow something like algae, that trapped moisture is the cause. Winterizing your roof can help, but you will still need to keep an eye on it during the summer.
Home Energy Efficiency
Roof heat does more than put your roofing at risk for damage. It also decreases your home’s energy efficiency. Just like a car with a hot roof will be hotter inside and take longer to cool, your home can have the same problem. Heat that doesn’t have anywhere to go puts pressure on your cooling system, forcing it to work harder and making it wear out sooner. Want to know how to make your roof energy efficient? We’re here to help.
Do Roofs Absorb Heat?
Like any surface, roofing can absorb heat from the sun. Heat absorption depends on a few factors, such as the type of roof and the color. A dark asphalt roof holds heat a bit like an asphalt road. In a region with a hot summer, selecting material that is more likely to reflect the sun instead of absorbing it can extend the roof lifespan and increase energy efficiency.
How Do I Protect My Roof Top From Heat?
Since you can’t exactly pack up your house and move somewhere with a problem-free climate, it’s a good idea to protect your roof in as many ways as you can. The biggest benefits you can get start with the right choice of roofing material as well as support for the structure so it can minimize heat absorption. When you’re evaluating the benefits of a roof replacement in Delaware, keep these tips in mind.
Evaluate the Best Roof Design
It is not an easy thing to change the design of your roof, but its style does affect your ability to manage heat. For example, a roof with a high pitch is harder to ventilate, which can increase your chances of hot roof problems. If you can, choose a roof with a moderate pitch. For older homes, consider installing an attic fan and picking energy-efficient roof material.
Wondering what you will need to get your roof ready for replacement? Request our roofing cost guide.
Consider Different Types of Roof Material
Asphalt is the most popular roofing material, and provides adaptability, weather resistance, and much more. If it’s time to replace your roof, consider the advantages of asphalt shingles for your home. However, it is not the only choice you can make. For example, Dec-Tec is a roof type that can minimize moisture accumulation and is designed to reflect heat. It’s primarily used on flat roofs, and provides a durable surface that is perfect for outbuildings and many home styles.
Slate roofing is the longest-lasting roofing material on the market – and if you plan on owning your home for a long time, it provides you with a great return on investment. Copper is also a great option if you’re looking for a long-lasting roof. Not only does it look beautiful, but a copper roof life expectancy is hundreds of years. Copper has played a role in architecture for thousands of years.
Clay roof tiling can also provide homeowners with a durable and aesthetically pleasant exterior. Not only is it attractive in design, but it is also incredibly low-maintenance and great at regulating roof temperatures. Do you have questions about which materials are best for you? Read more about our roofing services.
Choose Light Colors
Choosing a color for your roof is not just an aesthetic matter. The color can significantly affect the way that your roof reflects or absorbs heat, sometimes as much as the material itself. If you are not sure which one is going to be best for your home, we are happy to make recommendations that will look great and beat the heat.
Which Roof Is Best for Hot Climate?
Ultimately, the best roof for a hot climate is one that can handle temperature changes and exposure to hot sun without breaking down, causing damage or forcing you to replace your roof in half the time you expected. At Bromwell Construction Company, we have spent years researching the tools, materials and practices needed to ensure that you get the best roof for your home. Schedule an estimate to find out how our team can keep you cool even during the hottest Wilmington summers.