What Are the Best Roof Materials for Warm Weather

Most building owners often worry more about what could keep a building cool, especially during unrelenting hot weather, such as air conditioning and ventilation. But what they might be neglecting is that the first real line of defense against heat is the roof. Roofs do a lot more than keeping the sun's heat, and a poorly made roof will crack and break over time under harsh weather conditions.

For instance, there could be times when the temperature is over 100 degrees every day for two months in Arizona. Southern California is already a witness to several over-120-degree days. If your building is in places with scorching hot climates like these, the roof will surely get the worst from the sun. Fortunately, though, there are roofing materials and colors that fare well during warm weather.

Before you grab a ladder, paint, and primer for the roof, here are some of the best roofing materials ranging from the traditional to the high-tech that work well in warm climates.

1. Terracotta Tiles and Ceramic Roofs

If there's a roofing material that you can consider as popular, it would be the terracotta tiles. This material is famous not because of its appearance but because it makes an excellent choice for those who want a Spanish-colonial look for their roof. Terracotta means "cooked earth," literally translated in Italian. It is the baking process that these tiles go through that gives weather-resistant properties. These clay tiles are known to last for as long as 50 years or more.

What keeps roofs and interiors cool is the tiles' curved shape, allowing air to circulate below the surface. However, the only drawbacks to having this stylish, energy-efficient roof are the materials, costs, and tiles' weight. Clay tiles may weigh up to two or four times the weight of conventional asphalt roofs and run around $700 to $1,000 per square.

2. Slate Tiles

Slate tiles roofing is a centuries-old European tradition. Slate is a durable material because it lasts a long time with little maintenance and varies in different natural color ranges. If it is light-colored and earth-toned, it can work great in reducing the heat absorbed by a building because of its naturally reflective properties.

Like the terracotta tiles, the downsides to using slate include its heavyweight and upscale price. It can also be costly and more challenging to transport than lighter and less-breakable materials, especially in areas without natural slate reserves.

3. Green or Living roofs

In large cities where there are dark asphalt roofs, parking lots, and roadways, an adverse environmental effect called the "urban heat island effect" occurs. If the building is in such an area, green or living roofs will be ideal to use. These roofs incorporate a waterproof membrane filled with soil and vegetation to cool the building through soil temperature and greenery growth. The living plants on the roof release oxygen into the air and cleanse the harmful gases from the environment.

While green buildings and sustainability are now becoming more recognized, it is still undeniable that many building owners might steer clear from such an option due to its costs. Constructing a green roof can be pricey-- and maintaining it would also require a considerable chunk from the budget of building owners.

4. EPDM Roofing Membranes

EPDM membranes or rubber roofing aren't rubber but a synthetic rubber-like substance more commonly known as ethylene propylene diene monomer. This roofing material has a composition that is exceptionally sturdy in extreme weather conditions. It is suitable for resisting UV radiation without cracking and breakdown and is even more effective at heat reduction when coated with titanium dioxide.

The light color of EPDM roofs reflects light and heat from the roof surface back into the atmosphere. However, building owners should look out for when using this kind of cooling technique is its potential harm to the environment, especially in the long run.

5.Solar or Photovoltaic Systems

If you prefer the route of storing up the heat instead of reflecting it up, a photovoltaic (PV) system is worth checking out. Solar or PV roof shingles are great at capturing and redirecting solar power into electricity. You also wouldn't have to worry about aesthetic sacrifice when using this type of roof because solar electric panels and shingles now come in different shingle shapes and sizes.

Unfortunately, cost and location are significant factors in installing PV roofs. Because the usage of PV shingles and sheets isn't widespread yet, start-up investment in such products and installation can be high.

6. Metal Roofs

These days, metal roofs are the material of choice in modern warm-climate cities like Los Angeles and Austin. This roofing material has been present since as far back as Ancient Rome. Metal roofs such as aluminum, steel, and copper roofing are a popular choice for lower prices and are frequently-manufactured from recycled materials. Aside from its low cost, a metal roofing system is also perfect in hot climates where cooling expenses take a toll on the building owners' energy bills.

7. Concrete Tiles and Slab Roofs

For those who like the terracotta's thermal properties but not its price, concrete is a great alternative. This material has a thickness that takes longer to heat in the sun. While this option can be cheap, it can still be a heavy solution for hot-weather roofs.

8. Overlays and Radiant Barriers

Nowadays, technology has already found a way to bring cover-ups to roofing. Imagine using an umbrella or wide-brimmed straw hat on a hot day to keep the heat away-- overlays and radiant barriers work the same. Some cool-roof coatings include elastomeric sealants, ceramic-based paints, foam sprays, and even "recycled waste cooking oil" treatment. Applying coats of these overlays helps in reflecting the heat away.

Best Roof Hatches

Aside from having the best roof materials to face the warm weather, it would also be best to have the perfect access opening for when maintenance personnel have to conduct roof repairs and maintenance. It could be possible if you have the best roof hatch for the job.

For your roof hatch and safety railing needs, you can visit Best Roof Hatches today!