Each type of roofing material comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. When installing a new roof on your home, it is important to review each list and determine if the material is best for your home. Metal roofs are significantly increasing in popularity and there is one misconception about them:
Metal roofs do NOT make your house hot.
This is one of the most common determining factors that confuse homeowners and lead them to a different material. Many think metal roofs will make their house warmer because metal that is sitting in the sun all day tends to be extremely hot. But little do most homeowners know, you can design a metal roof that will not get excessively warm throughout the day and it will actually keep your home cooler than other roofing materials.
A few design aspects of a metal roof make it a safer bet to not heat up your home. Below we discuss 4 important variables that can play a role in how warm your metal roof could get.
1. Finish
Metal roofs are typically finished with a special coating that will ensure it reflects sunlight. This finishing will help your roof stay cooler when exposed to excessive amounts of sunlight and UV rays. Arizona sees over 300 days of sunshine each year so having a metal roof with the proper coating and finish will help it reflect sunlight and not retain much heat. Other roofing materials, such as tile or shingle, do not have these coatings and typically absorb more UV rays than metal roofs.
2. Color
Similar to wearing a dark shirt in the summer, the darker your roof color, the more light it will absorb, no matter the material. A metal roof will reflect more sunlight than other materials, but the darker the panels, the warmer they will be after a sunny day. Many Arizona homeowners prefer darker shades for their roof to add contrast to the lightly colored stucco of their home. Talking with a professional roofer will help you understand the best way to have the color combination you want and keep your house cool.
3. Panel Size
Choosing a metal roof for your home gives you the option of several shapes, sizes, and thickness of the metal panels. While the panels will reflect some sunlight, there is still a bit that gets absorbed which makes the roof warm. The size of the panels and thickness will tell how quickly the roof will cool down once the sun goes away.
Metal roofs are typically made of lightweight material that will release the heat faster than other materials. This makes them a better option for your Arizona home, especially if you are concerned about the temperature inside your home.
4. Ventilation
A key design element of a metal roof that helps keep it and your house cooler is the ventilation. Working with a skilled roofing company will ensure proper ventilation is installed along with ample soffits. This will allow for necessary air to circulate through your attic, keeping your home cooler in the summer along with preventing moisture accumulation.
Work With A Roofing Company
If you are considering a metal roof for your home, the best thing you can do is educate yourself from a reliable source before making any judgement. Metal is a great material choice and comes with several benefits, including being long-lasting & environmentally friendly. Working with a professional roofing company will give you the chance to ask several questions and determine if a metal roof is best for your home.
Craven Construction offers metal roofing services to the entire East Valley, including new construction roofing, roof replacement, repairs, and maintenance. Our team is highly trained with all materials and can handle roofs of any size. Contact our office today to speak with our roofing expert and see why a metal roof is a perfect choice for your home. We offer FREE estimates on all roofing services.
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About Craven Construction
Craven Construction is dedicated to providing our customers with honest and reliable roofing services. With over two decades of residential and commercial experience, we are here to serve you and all of your roofing needs.
Our team of experienced roofers is licensed and knowledgeable in working with all types of roofing. We offer high quality roofing services and are capable of getting your project completed in a timely, efficient manner.