Days in Sydney and other areas in Australia are particularly warm these days. But, it’s not only the country, though, as meteorologists predict that the year 2020 will be one of the Earth’s warmest years on record.
In hot climates like these, our homes bear the brunt of the scorching weather but the roofs get the worst of it all. Over time, the unrelenting sunlight and heat can cause the roof materials to crack and degrade. When they’re damaged, they can transfer heat from the sun directly through the surface and into your home. In return, they can drive up energy costs from air conditioning.
The good news? You have better chances of delaying the effects of heat when you invest in roofing systems that can stand up to hot climates.
What Makes Certain Types of Roofs Ideal for Hot Climates
Certain types of roof do more than keeping the sun off your home. They stand up better to the heat and provide good ventilation between the roofing material and decking. It means that homes stay cooler than they would with other types of roofs.
Some other materials, on the other hand, make heat transfer more difficult whereas others reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than standard roofs.
Different types of hot-climate roofing materials have their benefits and downsides, of course. Let’s take a look at them in the guide below.
Metal: Studies show that metal roofs can reflect up to 66% of sunlight away from the roof. While this isn’t superior, it’s nonetheless better than others.
Good quality metallic roofing may cost more than some other options, but given their ability to stand up to extreme weather conditions, they can be worth the extra cost. You’ll want to choose light coloured metallic roofing as they better reflect light.
Terracotta: This material makes a great choice for anyone looking to add a bit of Spanish colonial style to their home. Undergoing the baking process makes these tiles weather-resistant—they are known to stand up to the heat and last up to 50 years or more.
The curved shape of terracotta tiles provides good airflow, which keeps roofs and interiors cooler. The only downside to this is that they can be quite expensive.
Concrete: Concrete roofs can either be slabs or tiles with an s-shape. They can be a cheaper alternative to terracotta tiles, offering the same benefits such as durability for high climates, and good airflow, which helps keep the interior cool. They are also thick and they take longer to heat up in the sun.
Today’s concrete tiles are also available in different colours, making it easier for you to find one that matches your style and preferences.
Slate: Slate roofs are made of stone. They are impervious to all kinds of weather—sun, wind, heat, cold, moisture, and fire. They are heavy and usually flat, which keeps them in place even when subjected to strong winds.
This option can be very expensive, but they make a great investment considering that they last up to 150 years and even more.
Greens: This is a trend that is gaining popularity in the past few years: green roofs that consist of plants and moss placed over a protective, waterproof membrane. The membrane is filled with soil, which alone can keep the home cool by preventing heat transfer.
The plants, on the other hand, also help cool the home. But, the best part is that they are also energy-efficient, having the ability to reduce the heat island effect wherein urbanised areas experience higher temperatures than the places far away from the city.
There are many other roofing options to choose from, but the best one for you can be determined with the help of a roofing contractor. They can also provide you with the best roof restoration service any time of the year, whether it’s freezing cold or blazing hot on top of your home.
Get quotes from your trusted roofing contractor today!
