Will A Metal Roof Affect The Temperature Of A Home?
Metal roofs are becoming more common. They are very durable and can be made to look like all sorts of other materials if you choose to install stamped metal panels. However, if you live in a hotter climate, you might wonder how metal roofs can affect your home's temperature.
Why Your Roof Needs to Be Cool
Keeping your building cool is essential. Your home will be more comfortable, and your AC unit will not have to work as hard to keep your home cool. Because you are not using as much energy, your home will have fewer carbon emissions.
The Impact of Your Metal Roof on the Temperature of Your Home
A metal roof does not make your home hotter, fortunately. Instead, the metal panels reflect the sun's rays and help keep your home cool. You can keep your home even cooler by having an adequate ventilation system.
A metal roof absorbs heat. But all roofs absorb heat to some extent. What matters is that they also reflect sunlight, so they do not absorb as much heat. Metal is lighter than other roofing materials, such as asphalt or slate, and will not heat up as much.
How Thermal Mass Works
Thermal mass significantly affects how much heat your building can retain. If your roof does not have a lot of thermal mass because it is made out of metal, you'll want to have adequate insulation because it will not become cold during the winter. Even if you live in an area that doesn't have cold winters, you'll be able to maintain your home's temperature by having adequate insulation.
The Color of Your Roof
The color of your metal roof influences how much it absorbs heat. A darker metal roof will absorb more heat than a lighter roof.
How to Keep Your Home Cool
Even though a roof can impact the temperature of your home, the primary goal of a roof is not to keep your home hot or cold but to protect it from the elements. When trying to increase or decrease your home's temperature, you'll need to look elsewhere.
The two main types of vents you'll want to use are gable vents and ridge vents. Regardless of the type of roofing material you have, if your building is not vented well enough, it will retain heat. When installing your home, if you're concerned about whether your roof will affect your home's temperature, a professional roofer can help you better understand based on the unique characteristics of your property.
For more info, contact a local roofer.