What type of roof absorbs the least amount of heat?

Spoiler alert! It’s metal roofs, here’s why.

Once the summer months come around, everyone is doing their best to try and stay cool. Many people take numerous routes in doing their best trying to not overheat by either staying indoors under a nice air conditioning unit or braving the outdoors accompanied with some kind of body of water whether that be a pool or the beach. Either way, the heat can be unavoidable at times.

This dilemma of trying to stay cool is largely present in southern states, such as Texas, as the average temperature for the summer months will hit mid to high 90s with the always present possibility of the weather hitting the 100s. When the weather gets this hot, the heat is almost unavoidable even inside. One of the best ways to combat this heat is depending on the kind of roofing that is present.

What affects your roof has on the temperature

There are a number of different factors that can be accounted for when determining whether or not your roof could be attributed to the heat that you are feeling in your home.

For starters, the color of the roof can play a larger factor in how hot a home gets. Darker colors are known to absorb more light and this is the same for roofs. A darker roof is more prone to absorbing the heat and can even raise the temperature of an attic over 10℉ more due to the color. This kind of roof is beneficial in states that have colder winters and it is helpful in ridding snow off of roofs when they absorb the heat. However, in southern states where the summers are hotter than in other places, a lighter roof will be more beneficial in order to keep houses cooler.

A study done showed that black roofs were absorbing the sun at a rate that lead to an average temperature of 95℉ while white roofs were the most effective at absorbing the least amount of sun as they only came out to an average temperature of 76.5℉.

The material of the roof also plays a large role in how much heat is absorbed. Asphalt roofs are one of the most common types of roofs out there but are not always the best when it comes to reflecting the light. Since they generally come in darker colors it is not always the most effective in battling the heat. Some of the best material for this job is either metal roofs as they are one of the most reflective materials out there or solar panels since they absorb the heat for their own use and the material does not get as hot. The solar panel option however can be a bit pricier compared to the other kinds of roofs.

And of course, the shape and construction of the roof and attic of a home play a part in the heat of the house. A lot of times if a house is insulated and ventilated correctly, then any roof should not have as much of an impact as if this is not done correctly. If an attic and roof do not have the proper insulation and ventilation, it can lead to numerous problems since the heat will be unable to escape the house. Even with the proper installation of these factors, a roof is still bound to bring in more heat during the summer months.

What is the best roofing option?

Now that the factors of heat have been established when it comes to roofing, it is time to determine which kind of roof will be the best option to keep a house cooler. Having a cool house will not only keep everyone comfortable during these hot times but also be able to save you money in energy costs since you will not have to spend nearly as much on your energy bill.

First off, as determined above, a lighter-colored roof will be the best way to go. Because the lighter colors do such a good job at reflecting the heat, it is beneficial to choose a lighter color over a darker color that will bring in more heat.

For the material, it is commonly agreed that metal roofing is the way to go. Metal roofs have gained a lot of popularity in the last few years as they are extremely durable as well as much easier to install instead of traditional tiling. Metal is a very reflective material and while on the surface will be extremely hot, will protect the insides of the home from heating up more than other materials. While the cost of a metal roof will be more than a normal asphalt roof, the investment is worth it because of its toughness against severe weather as well as its energy-saving cost benefits.

Now, if you still want to stick with the traditional asphalt tile roofing in a gray or darker color, there are now “cool roof” options most of the time. Most materials now have this cool roof option, and it will significantly bring down the temperature of the roof compared to regular material. The cool roof will work just as well as a light-colored roof and will still use the material that you would prefer if you chose not to go with the metal option.

The summer can be a tough time with both energy costs and dealing with the heat. Having a roof that will keep your house cooler and the people inside please can go a long way for as long as you need it to.