Ask anyone about life in South Florida, and the topic of our hot weather will invariably come up. It is true, the strong sunshine through our summer months is impressive – and keeping cool does become a priority for every Florida resident.
You may have heard that you can build a cooler and more efficient home by utilizing the right roofing materials. But is it true that changing your roof can really affect your home temperature? Let’s explore your options for a cooler roof and a cooler home.
Variables Can Affect Home Temperature
- Choose Light Colors: Whether you are talking about clothing or roofing materials, the same principle applies. Dark colors tend to absorb heat, and lighter colors tend to reflect heat. Therefore, regardless of the roofing material you choose – whether shingles, tile, or stone – the lighter the shade of the roof, the more likely that it will reflect more of the heat blazing down on it. Traditional shingles do come in light gray and white colors, as do most other tiles and stone options.
- Opt for Reflective Coatings: A reflective roof coating can be applied to your roof in order to minimize the intense summer solar heat, and subsequently your home temperature. Because roof coatings can significantly reduce surface temperatures, these products may also have a meaningful impact on cooling costs – up to 25%, according to some estimates. Reflective roof coatings also contain UV-blocking pigments which help to maximize your roof’s life span by reducing the aging effects of persistent UV rays.
- Replace the Surface Coating: Although not an option for everyone, ask your roofing contractor if you can add a layer of white gravel, marble chips or reflective granules to increase the reflective power of the roofing material on your current roof. Many of these can be easily applied without changing the base roof, but allowing the sunlight to be bounce off the roof, assuring longer life and cooler temps.
- Replace Your Shingle Roof: Although a shingle roof is not always the coolest option for your home, the ease of installation and more affordable cost make them the best option for many Florida homeowners. When it is time to replace the roof, consider utilizing cool asphalt shingles instead of traditional fiberglass asphalt shingles. This cooler option contain specially reflective granules which will help to keep the surface heat of the roof down.
- Love Your Tile Roof: One of the most popular roofing materials in South Florida is clay tile, and its naturally reflective properties and “cool colors” including brown, green and terra cotta are perfect for not only looking beautiful – but keeping your home temperature under control. No wonder they are such a common choice for hot weather climates.
- Consider Metal for Your Steep Slope Roof: Metal roofs are highly reflective, but work best on a steep slope, as a flat roof may actually hold heat with this material. If you wish to install a metal roof on a low slope or flat roof, be sure to apply an additional cool roofing protective coating for best results.
A Little Extra Help: Another tips from local Sarasota roofing experts is to keep an eye on your attic insulation. This insulation is in place to keep hot air from the attic from entering your home (and conversely, keeping cool air in your home from escaping.) Although not a part of the roofing system, making sure that you have adequate and proper insulation in your attic is a great way to help your home to stay cool, which will take some pressure off of your air conditioning system and energy consumption.
We encourage you to give Avery Roof Services a call with any question you may have regarding your cool roof options. Sarasota is hot – let us help you cool your home temperature down, with the best roofing materials, installation and advice.
Your Local, Trusted, Sarasota Roofer
