April 23, 2025

Which Variables Affect a Metal Roof’s Heat Absorption?

Many people underestimate the value of quality roofing to serve as protection against harsh temperatures. While some homeowners may be focusing on the latest HVAC systems for their home, others evaluate the best way to reinforce their roofing system. Besides putting a roof over your head, roofing systems do more than give you shade and protect you from rainfall. In fact, roofing plays an essential role in regulating your interiors’ temperatures. For this reason, it’s necessary to choose the right roofing material.

The Advantage of Metal Roofing

A metal roof is well known as the more preferred roofing option over asphalt shingles. Although it has some limitations on texture and design, it excels at increasing your home’s energy efficiency by having higher reflectivity levels. This keeps your home cool even during the harshest summers.

To illustrate, a material roof can cut down your energy expenses to 50 percent by minimizing your need for low air conditioner temperatures. In contrast, asphalt shingles can even contribute to your home’s heat by trapping it in your interiors. This leads to an increase of almost 25 degrees at most.

Although metal is the superior material for an energy-efficient home, that doesn’t mean it’s a flawless product. Different variables can affect how well your metal roofing’s heat reflectivity can be. This is why you need to choose the right provider by determining the properties of their products.

In this article, we’ll discuss three variables that can affect your metal roof’s heat reflectivity.

1. Sun Exposure

The most apparent variable affecting your roofing’s durability against the sun is the amount of exposure it has. When your roof receives more direct sunlight, it’s more prone to heat to higher temperatures. To the same effect, the surface of your roofing temperature will also decrease as the sun sets. For this reason, you may need to consider how exposed your roofing is.

Your roof’s exposure to the sun won’t be much of an issue if you live in the city, where skyscrapers and other built infrastructures are. However, being farther from an urban setting leaves you exposed to the full force of the sun. For this reason, it’s best to invest in lighter roofing for its faster cooling ability when exposed to direct sunlight.

2. Finish

A metal roofing system’s ability to absorb heat isn’t just tied to its thickness. In fact, part of a metal’s ability to retain heat will depend on its finish. Since there are numerous coating options in the market, you should consider how well these products will do under direct sunlight. Some coating brands will have a significantly better performance against direct sunlight, while others aren’t as robust. Compare these formulas before requesting your roofing contractor for an expert opinion.

3. Color Choice

Color choice will have a vital role in how well your roof can reflect or retain heat. This is observable in other materials as well, from the color of your shirt to the paint on your building.

The advantage of metal roofing is that you can choose from a wide selection of color palettes. However, you should also consider the practicality of your paint of choice, especially if you want to build a home that’s fit for better heat resistance. Keep in mind that it’s generally better to use light-colored tones since these shades absorb less light.

Conclusion

Simply having a metal roof doesn’t mean that you’re free from any heating issues. Over time, any roofing material can have a faster deterioration if it’s not maintained properly. For this reason, you must keep in touch with your local roofing experts to give you the proper repairs and upgrades you need.

If you’re looking for reliable metal roofing companies near me you’re in the right place. At Roofing and Siding of Boston, we boast a quality service that features excellent workmanship and customer service. Contact us today at 855-800-9080 and we’ll address your metal roofing concerns!

Dmitry Labkovich

Since 2002, I have dedicated my career to construction, starting as a cleanup worker and laborer. Despite tough conditions, I quickly mastered roofing and siding, and within six months, I was handling complex tasks. Later, I became a subcontractor, growing the business with a partner and expanding our team.

In 2011, I founded Roofing and Siding of Cape Cod and Boston. At the same time, I continued working with major firms, building a reputation through high-quality work and excellent service. In 2010, I joined the Coast Guard Reserve, which helped me develop leadership skills. Before my deployment in 2018, I built a reliable team that ensured steady company growth.

Today, Roofing and Siding of Cape Cod and Boston is a team of 30+ professionals, all OSHA-certified. We continue to expand while maintaining top-quality standards and exceptional customer service.

**Experience & Expertise**

- 20+ years in the roofing and siding industry
- Hands-on experience from laborer to business owner
- Managing a team of 30+ professionals
- Business development and client relations

**Education & Certification**

- Practical training in roofing and siding techniques
- OSHA safety certification
- Coast Guard Reserve service experience
- Ongoing professional development in construction