As much as the summertime is great, the hot Arizona sun in the summer can beat down on you and your home. What’s more is that the sun can cost you a ton of money in cooling your home. Luckily, there are a few ways that the right roofing system can save you money to keep your home cool. Read on to learn more about the best roofing systems to keep your home cool, no matter how high the temperatures climb.
About Keeping Your Home Cool
Did you know that on a hot, sunny day, the temperature on the surface of a traditional black roof can be more than 50 degrees warmer than the air around it? That heat seeps into your home and skyrockets your energy bill. We know that those energy bills that come with the heat can be really frustrating. Luckily, there are several things you can do to your roof to cool it off and therefore reduce your energy bill. In this blog, we will discuss a few factors that affect the temperature of your roof, in particular the material of the roof and the color of the roof materials.
Material
The most important factor to achieve a cooler roof (and ultimately lower energy bills) is the material of the roof. There are several materials that lower the temperature more effectively than others, including the following:
Metal
Metal roofs are great for reducing heat on the roof because they have high solar reflectance. In practice, this means that much of the light that shines onto the roof will actually immediately be reflected. Metal roofs work best for homes with steeper roofs. This is due to the fact that the metal holds heat in, even though it reflects it well. Steeper roofs receive less direct sunlight over the course of the day, hence why it suits that style of home better. According the Green Building Alliance, using cool metal roofing can result in energy savings of between 7 and 15 percent.
Tile
Some types of tile are also great for reflecting light in the summer months. Clay tiles, both glazed with the traditional terra cotta color and those that are not, can help reduce energy costs. Concrete tiles, especially because of their color, can be a good option for this. In addition, concrete tiles can have a polymer coating added to enhance reflection and reduce energy absorption.
Shingles
For steeper roofs, standard singles can be replaced with cool asphalt shingles. The difference between these two types of shingles is the latter contains special reflective materials to deflect sunlight. Typically, shingles are the least effective of the roofing materials mentioned above at reflecting sunlight. However, they do have a nearly-universal curb appeal, so considering the resale of your home is certainly an understandable thought here.
Color
The choice of color for your roof is also critical. As is the case with any other product, for example black cars versus white cars, darker colors attract and hold more energy in. The end result for you is a higher energy bill to offset it. If you opt for lighter colors, such as white or tan, you can expect to see a reduction in your energy. If you aren’t looking to replace your entire roof, some roof types can also have paints installed to create a less dark color for energy efficiency purposes. Talk to your roofing professional for more information on this.
Other Factors
Another way to absorb a great deal of energy from the hot summer sun is green roofing. This utilizes nature’s ability to absorb energy in plants to reduce energy cost. Not only does this look very aesthetically pleasing in many cases, but it also promotes sustainability through the plants’ ability to produce oxygen.
Pinnacle Roofing Can Help
Pinnacle Roofing is able to help you determine the best roof to keep your energy costs low during the scorching summer months in Arizona. We are a licensed and experienced group of professionals with many years of experience within the roofing industry. Because of our experience and overall professionalism, hundreds of people in our community have entrusted us with their roofing needs. With our background-checked employees, quarter-century of experience, and glowing reviews, we are the right group to help you lower your home’s energy costs through a better roofing system.
Call Us Today
If you are looking to take the next step in cooling your home down through a more efficient roofing system, then give us a call today at (623) 526-9582. We can also be reached at info@pinnacleroofingaz.com. We can even give you a free quote so you can know what to expect from our crews. We hope to speak with you to earn your business and trust in our group.