While popular, asphalt and wood shingles are not best for areas experiencing triple-digit temperatures. The best types of roofs for homeowners in hot climates are metal, slate, clay or rubber shingles. These roofs do much more than just keep the sun off your back. Terracotta tile roofs are very durable, with some old buildings using the same shingles for centuries, but even modern terracotta tiles should last about 50 years on average.
While the material plays an important role in terracotta's heat resistance, the actual shape and design also helps to support its overall effect. Terracotta tiles are usually cast in a half-barrel or S-curve shape. When the tiles are laid on the roof, they intertwine to form arches. These arches allow greater air and water circulation and reduce the amount of heat that is trapped in the roof.
The main drawback of terracotta tiles is the weight. These shingles can weigh up to four times more than common asphalt or composite shingles. That means they need a solid foundation that can support that extra weight, which may require adding additional structural reinforcement to your home. If you live in an area that experiences a cold and humid climate, terracotta tiles can crack and break.
A slightly more affordable option than terracotta, concrete tiles are thick, meaning it takes longer for the sun to warm up through a concrete slab and reach your home. Similar to terracotta, concrete tiles can also be formed in half-barrels or S-shaped, allowing for greater air ventilation. Tinting concrete a lighter color can also help prevent heat absorption. However, concrete can be heavy, which means you may need to spend more on your basic roof support, and without painting or staining concrete shingles, your roof design may not be the most aesthetic to look at.
Short for ethylene propylene diene monomer, EPDM is a rubber-like synthetic material. Commonly used in commercial roofing, EPDM comprises a strong thermoplastic that is effectively resistant to weather, UV radiation and general wear and tear. Optional titanium dioxide roof coatings can improve heat reduction potential by reflecting heat and sunlight. Since EPDM is generally seamless, it can also help as a barrier against water and air leaks.
Unlike the two previous options, EPDM is also lightweight and malleable, allowing for easy installation. However, EPDM is not as durable. While EPDM can withstand most weather conditions, it can be easily damaged by fallen branches, rocks and other debris. Metal is the most popular fashion material in most of today's hot climates.
Versatile and durable, metal roofs have seen increased use due to their generally sustainable nature. Most aluminum, steel and copper roofs are made from recycled materials. Compared to other roofing materials, metal takes longer to heat up, retains less heat, and cools faster at night. Most metal roofs that are installed also have a visible space between the deck and the actual metal panels.
That space essentially acts as a buffer or barrier that can prevent heat from moving from the roof to the living area below. Green or living roofs consist of roofs covered with plants and moss suspended on a protective and waterproof membrane (usually EPDM). The membrane is filled with soil and propagated with a variety of local plants. The naturally cool soil temperature and plant growth process keep the home cool by preventing heat absorption.
During the colder months, a green roof also acts as an effective form of insulation to prevent heat loss. Water runoff from plants can also help cool the building, and plants naturally act as a radiant barrier to the base of the roof, increasing the longevity of the roof. Best of all, green roofs are considered energy efficient and naturally reduce the heat island effect. They also add oxygen to the air again, making them particularly important for large urban areas and areas experiencing high traffic congestion.
However, green roofs require good planning, experience and vision. Green roofs can be installed on traditional roofs, such as a gable or hipped roof, so homeowners can take advantage of the many benefits they can offer. Learn more about what a gable or hipped roof is. You may also need to spend more to maintain the roof, from providing it with regular water to removing weeds and repelling any potential pests.
Metal roofs are a good choice for people living in hot climates. They have seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years due to their durability and elegance. A metal roof forms a thermal barrier by creating an air space between the roof and the platform. This air cushion can help reduce cooling costs, which can save you a lot of money in the long run.
Metal roofs are also cheaper than other roofing materials because they can be produced from recycled materials. This type of roofing material can withstand heat for centuries. They are often molded into an “S” or half-barrel shape to form interlocking arcs in the roof. The curved shape of the tiles allows good air circulation below the surface, helping to keep interiors cooler.
The only downside to terracotta is that it is bulky and expensive. Your roof covering must be reinforced first before installing the terracotta tiles to prevent it from crushing. Lighter than concrete or terracotta, ceramic tiles can work well in tropical climates. A white ceramic tile will reflect most of the sun's heat energy away from the house.
Ceramic tiles come in a wide variety of shapes and in dozens of colors, including tiles that look aged. For tropical climates, a lighter color is best. White ceramic tiles will reflect about 77 percent of the sun's heat away from the house. Other colors of light will also reflect a lot of heat away from the house.
This is because concrete takes a long time to heat up, so even on the hottest days, concrete tiles will not absorb enough heat to reach the maximum temperature. They tend to stay closer to an average temperature between afternoons and noon. You can make them even better by painting them in a cool color that better reflects heat, such as white, red, or yellow. Again, you can have your metal roof painted white, yellow, or red to give it the best thermal reflectivity.
It offers great energy savings as well as being very durable, low maintenance and long lasting. So, while it may be more expensive to purchase a metal roof initially, it does offer significant savings in the long run. The best energy efficient metal roof will be constructed with a space between the metal sheets that provides space for air circulation and a thermal space that absorbs more heat before it reaches the interior parts of the roof. These types of shingles absorb the sun's rays as part of their normal energy creation and storage process, which means they also absorb most of the heat.
Because most climates with high temperatures also tend to get a lot of sunlight, solar shingles can be a great option to help keep your home cool. When a cyclone arrives, your roofing material must be able to withstand heavy rains and strong winds. He enjoyed hands-on work so much that he changed fields and entered the home improvement and roofing industry in 2001. Membranes made of thin sheets are also used under conventional roofs to help reduce heat transfer and protect the roof from water.
The energy efficient technology of photovoltaic roofs makes it ideal for warm climates, as the stored electricity can be used to power other devices or appliances in your home. Green or living roofs incorporate a waterproof membrane filled with soil and vegetation intended to cool naturally through soil temperature and vegetation growth. If you live in a place that has very hot periods of the year or maybe even throughout the year, you probably wish you could do anything to keep the interior of your home cooler. Relentless sun and heat can take its toll on a roof, causing it to crack and degrade over time.
Most regions of Spain, Mexico, Italy, and the southwestern United States have tons of heat and sun, and an abundance of Mission-style or Spanish-style terracotta roofs. Some roofing materials are built by design to withstand extreme temperatures, dry conditions, and prevailing UV rays all year round without sacrificing ventilation and airflow through the attic and the rest of your home. A great example is Punta Caliza, which is a traditional Mayan structure with a thatched roof, a common feature of the region's style. The last thing you'll want to do is choose an inexperienced installer and see your solar panels ripped off your roof when a cyclone hits.
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