When planning a roof replacement or installment, you have to consider the material you’d want your roof to be. While many see the benefits of getting a metal roof, they might have some concerns about the summer heat.
As many of us have learned in science class, metal conducts heat. So, when summer rolls around, the hot summer sun can heat up a metal roof. But will this make your home’s interior hot as well? Well, it will depend on the type of construction and the roof’s color and weight.
Construction Type
The transfer of heat from a metal roof to the home below can be affected by the type of construction in between. For example, if you have an attic, it is crucial to control the temperature in that room. To do this, make sure you incorporate proper ventilation in your attic’s design to maintain equal ambient air temperature.
The quality of insulation is also important. Insulation is essential in a home because it not only absorbs the heat from the roof but it also slows down the movement of heat from the roof to the house. So, consider what type of insulation you’re going to use. To lessen the heat transfer from the roof to your home in the summer, it’s best to choose the highest quality insulation and get enough of it for your home.
Weight
The weight of the metal can also affect the temperature of the roof. You see, when the sun no longer directly strikes the metal roof, the lighter roofing materials will lose heat faster than heavier ones. This means more lightweight metal roofing can cool down more quickly and return to the temperature of the air surrounding it. Conversely, heavier metals will retain heat longer, giving the heat more time to transfer from the roof to the home below.
Color and Finish
Different colors absorb heat at different levels. Generally, darker colors will absorb more light energy and heat than lighter ones. So, the color of your metal roof can affect how hot it can get in the summer heat.
However, when it comes to dark-colored roofing, the material doesn’t actually matter. The rate a dark-colored roofing material absorbs heat is the same no matter the materials. So, if you decide to go with another roofing material but in a dark color, the effect would still be the same if you went with a metal roof in the same color.
Which Metal Roof Colors Should You Pick?
Darker shades of metal roofing, especially black, should be avoided as these absorb more heat. It’s best to go for lighter colors as they are more reflective and energy-efficient. While white absorbs the least amount of heat, you can still use other colors as long as they are nearer to white in the spectrum. Some common light-colored metal roofing includes beige, light green, pale blue, and light bronze.
Final Thoughts
If your concern regarding installing a metal roof is the amount of heat it absorbs in the summer, there are ways to combat this. First, you should make sure that there is enough ventilation in the attic to control the interior temperature. You should also get enough high-quality insulation so that less heat will transfer from the roof to your home. Lastly, you should pick metal roofing in lighter shades since darker colors will absorb more heat.
For your roofing needs, you can trust Roofing and Siding of Boston to provide excellent workmanship and customer service. We are a veteran-owned residential roofing company that has been in the roofing and siding business for over 10 years. Get in touch with us today!
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