Summer is almost here, and the heat comes with it. Many people will go to great lengths to keep themselves cool, but they don’t think about keeping their roofs cool. While you might not have thought about it before, it’s important to note that your home will be cooler when your roof is cool. After all, a hot roof is never a good thing.
If you have a dark-colored roof, the surface temperature can be over 50°F hotter than the surrounding air temperature. This means if the temperature is 100°F, your roof can be 150°F! This heat is transferred into your attic and, ultimately, into the living areas of your home. This could increase your energy costs because your air conditioner is working overtime.
By keeping your roof cool, you can reduce the use of your air conditioner and fans, which puts more money in your wallet. Here are five ways to keep your roof cool, keeping you cool and comfortable this summer.
5 Tips to Keep Your Roof Cool in Summer
Reflective Shingles or Tile
One way to keep your roof cool in the summer is with solar reflective shingles or tiles, which will reduce your overall energy consumption, resulting in significant savings in the long run.
Solar reflective shingles reflect and absorb infrared radiation from the sun, which mitigates the heat that would typically be transferred into your home. In addition, solar reflective shingles keep the inside of your home cooler, reducing the strain on your HVAC system.
There are several options for solar reflective shingles. Discuss these options with a professional roofing contractor. If you prefer something besides shingles, you can also opt for reflective concrete tiles. They are just as effective and can improve the aesthetics of your home.
Attic Ventilation and Insulation
If you’re like most people, you may not realize that your attic plays a major role in the structure of your home. Additionally, it is also involved in whether or not your home remains cool during the summer months. The attic controls whether you incur condensation, leaking, or mold. One of the ways to keep your roof cool in the summer is to ensure that it is properly insulated and ventilated.
During the hot summer months, your attic can easily become overheated, but there are solutions to keep it cool, such as installing a power vent. Additionally, you want to ensure that you have the right number of intake and exhaust vents. The intake vents are usually installed in the soffit, and the exhaust vents are typically installed near the top. This will help ensure proper airflow through your attic. If you’re not sure, ask your roofing contractor.
Get a Cool, Light-Colored Roof
If you have a dark-colored roof, one way to keep your roof cool during summer is to change it to a light-colored one. Call a roofing contractor and have them re-roof your home with light-colored shingles or tiles. A light-colored roof reflects heat away from your home instead of absorbing it and heating your home.
Increase Shade Around Your Home
The fourth option to keep your roof cool in summer is increasing the shade around your home. This can be done by planting tall vegetation or shade trees. Of course, you’ll want to make sure that they are a safe distance from your home, so you don’t have to be concerned about the branches damaging your roof. Well-kept trees create shade over your home and in your yard, which keeps your roof cool, decreasing the amount of heat absorbed and transferred into your home.
Install Solar Panels
The fifth and final way we’ll discuss to keep your roof cool in summer is to install solar panels. Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic cells and block the heat from getting to your roof in the first place. They capture the energy from the sun and turn it into electricity. Therefore, they are good for keeping your roof cool, but they are also good for the environment and can help decrease your energy bills.
Call Us Today
At A&J Reliable, we are here to help residents in New York, New Jersey, and the surrounding areas. We know what it takes to keep your roof cool in summer and can handle any of your other roofing needs as well. Schedule your free roof inspection today so that we can help you determine your needs and ensure your roof is ready for the summer heat.
