The 4 Best Ways To Protect Your Roof From The Summer Sun and Heat

Date Posted:

May 2, 2024

Author:

Daryl Gentry

After the snow melts and everything finally defrosts from the long, cold winter, it seems like we only have a few weeks until the hot summer sun starts heating everything up.

And while we can go inside and enjoy the air conditioner or a nice dip in the pool, your roof is constantly exposed to the sunlight.

On a typical hot sunny summer day, the temperature on the surface of a traditional asphalt roof can be more than 50 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the surrounding air temperature.

And when you have one sweltering rooftop next to another, it's no surprise that the air in a large city can often be 6 to 8 Fahrenheit degrees hotter than surrounding areas.

Even in rural and suburban neighborhoods, the heat your roof absorbs on a sunny day can raise the temperatures inside of your house and contribute to higher air conditioning requirements and higher energy costs.

In the article below, we will go over 4 excellent ways to keep your roof cool in the hot summer sun.

Select The Right Shingles

A hot roof in the summer can be a nightmare.

However, for steep-sloped roofs found on most U.S. homes, the standard asphalt shingles found on most of those roofs can be replaced with cool asphalt shingles that will reflect sunlight much better.

These cool asphalt shingles contain specially coated reflective granules that help them better reflect sunlight.

If you have wood, polymer, or metal shingles, they can also be coated to improve their solar reflectance.

Shingles, unfortunately, are not as reflective as any of the cool roof options available for low-sloping roofs.

However, their cost and familiar appearance, and traditional style make them a popular choice for residential construction.

Fortunately, cool shingles with white granules and reflective coating cost about the same as one with the old, standard dark asphalt granules,

A shingle with specially coated granules colored to match the desired color of your roof will run you about 35 to75 cents more per square foot.

Use a Roof Mist Cooling System

If you want the benefits of a cool roof without adding new roofing materials, surface materials, or coatings, consider a roof mist cooling system.

These have also been called evaporative cooling systems, and they lower surface temperatures by spraying a minimal amount of water across the roof.

This allows the water to cool the roof as it evaporates.

A roof misting system can be nothing more than a garden hose set to the "mist" setting aimed across the roof.

There are more sophisticated roof mist cooling systems that are much more practical for applications such as office buildings and industrial spaces, as well as regular residential use.

These systems use sensors to measure roof temperature and moisture and can lower rooftop temperatures by as much as 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit on a hot summer day.

They also consume less than one pint of water per square foot per day, so you don't have to worry about them causing any type of water damage.

Plant A Rooftop Garden

Rooftop gardens are great ways to take advantage of a large amount of sunlight while protecting your roof from the sun.

Green roofs have soared in popularity over the last few years.

You probably won't be able to completely cover your roof with a garden, but you can protect a large majority of the surface.

Invest in some planter boxes, large pots, and storage boxes for your gardening materials.

Once your rooftop garden is set up, be sure to visit it regularly to water and care for your plants.

Before planning your rooftop garden, make sure your roof is structurally sound and can handle the weight of a large garden.

If necessary, contact a roofer to inspect your roof before installing your garden.

Your roof probably won't have access to a running supply of water, so you may need to keep water on the roof or run a hose up to the roof, but be sure not to cause any water damage while caring for your plants.

Use Reflective Gravel

If you have a flat roof with raised edges, adding reflective gravel can be a great option.

Reflective gravel is available everywhere and is generally inexpensive.

You can get large amounts of gravel for less than the cost of cool roof coatings, reflective paint, and other reflective material per square foot.

Distribute the gravel evenly across your roof.

The gravel will attract the heat and radiate it away, keeping your roof and the inside of your home cool and your energy bills under control.

If you decide to use reflective gravel to reflect the intense heat, your roof likely won't be able to be used for anything else.

Contact TK Roofing and Gutters For Help Staying Cool

The summer season is the season for pool parties and BBQs, but it's also the season for intense heat, especially if you have an untreated roof.

If you're interested in cooling down your roof, above are 4 great ways to reduce the temperature of your roof to keep your home comfortable and your energy bills in check.

If you are unsure of where to start, contact the residential roofers at TK Roofing and Gutters.

They know the cool roof standards, and they can help you get your roof ready for the summer.

They also perform roof inspections, so if you have any roof damage, they can have it taken care of right away.

There's no reason to let slight damage turn into a roof replacement.