The climate is changing drastically and for the worse. In Arizona, it was over 100 degrees more or less every day for a period of about two months. The situation was not that better in Southern California as well. This region was prone to temperatures that were upwards of 120-degrees. In areas such as these that experience extreme forms of heat, the homes in these areas definitely bear the brunt of this excessive heat. Especially the roofs of the homes, where you have the sun blazing down at it all day long.
It is important to understand that roofs do a lot more than just keeping the sun off of your backs. A roof that has not been made properly will degrade in such extreme temperatures. It will start to crack and then eventually break down over time. This process, as a result, drives up the cost of energy that is required for home cooling. What this means is that there are certain materials that are a lot more energy efficient than others.
On the other hand, there are certain types of roofs that can not only bear the brunt of the heat but can also provide the home with some badly needed ventilation and also airflow in between the roofing material and the decking. What this means is that the homes stay a lot cooler than they would with asphalt shingles. There are some materials whose properties are such that they make the transfer of heat much more difficult and they actually reflect the sunlight. This has the potential to keep the homes as cool as a cucumber during these extreme summer months. The wide variety of materials that are made for the purposes of being able to withstand heat, does however have their own pros and cons. Let us take a look at the most popular roofing materials for areas that experience extreme heat.
Terra-Cotta Tiles and Ceramic Roofs
This roofing material is not extremely popular without any reason but you will be surprised to know that it has absolutely nothing to do with their appearance. Although, it has to be mentioned that Terra-Cotta will be perfect for those of us who want to give our homes that Spanish aesthetic feel to it. The words terra-cotta, quite literally, means “cooked earth” in Italian. It is because of how they are made which is by being baked. It is exactly that process of baking that makes these tiles very weather-resistant. These tiles can actually last for centuries, with many regularly lasting for more than 50 years or more.
The fact these tiles are curved also makes quite a bit of difference as well. This allows the air to circulate below the surface, this will keep the roof and also the interior of the homes cooler. The only two issues that these very gorgeous and practical tiles have are their costs and also how much they weigh. These types of tiles normally weigh about two to four times as much their conventional asphalt roof counterparts. This is the reason that many homeowners need to reinforce their roofs before they can properly install these terra-cotta tiles on their roofs. In addition to all of the above, these tiles happen to be one of the most expensive as they often run for around $700 to $1,000 per square. However, if we were to factor in their longevity then we will definitely have the potential to recoup the initial investment that was made.
Slab Roofs and Concrete Tiles
These types of tiles are a particularly good option for those people who want the thermal properties of the terra-cotta tiles but at a much lower price. Due to the fact that these tiles are extremely thick, it means that it will take much longer to heat in the sun. As a result of this, it will also take longer for the heat to be absorbed into your home. These types of tiles are very cheap but heavy for those who are looking for roofing solutions in areas that experience extreme heat. fs.
It is worth mentioning that the vendors of roofing also do make some more aesthetically pleasing tiles of concrete which happen to be dyed so that it gives them just a tiny hint of color. Of the many varieties of these tiles that are available, S-tiles are one of the more energy efficient-models of the ones that are commercially available. Similar to the terra-cotta tiles, they are also made in such a way so as to have a wave pattern. This really improves the flow of air between the roof surface and the decking. What this results in ultimately is lower transfer of heat and a lot less costs associated with cooling.
Living or “Green” Roofs
Although a rooftop that is covered in moss and plants may sound like it is something straight out of The Lord of the Rings, interestingly, it does also have a lot of practical values to it. Green roofs are roofs which are roofs that literally consist of plans suspended over a membrane that is waterproof. This makes them particularly adept at reducing both the loss of heat and also the absorption of heat. This makes them the ideal choice not only for extreme heat but also for extreme cold climates as well. This type of roofing also has the effect of reducing the heat island effect.
If you follow the tips mentioned above, you should have no problems in making a roof for your home with the proper right materials that are particularly suited for your individual needs. There are a few other alternatives available as well which you should probably consider as well. These include metal roofs and EPDM roofing membranes.