How Your Roof Affects the Temperature of Your Home
Believe it or not, the roof of your home could have an effect on the temperature of your home’s interior. There are a number of different roofing factors that can change the amount of heat that is absorbed into your home or reflected off. Roofs that absorb more heat in the summer will also absorb more heat in the winter which can actually be a positive thing by helping keep your home warm over the colder winter months. Here are some of the most important roofing factors that affect the temperature of your home:
Shingle Colour
The colour of your roof does affect how much heat is absorbed into your attic. Studies have shown that the plywood under darker roofs in direct sunlight is 10 to 15 degrees hotter than the plywood under lighter coloured roofs. Darker colours tend to absorb more light and trap heat in the roof which in turn flows into your attic. Lighter colours on the other hand are more reflective and cause much of the heat from the sun to bounce off and hold less heat than a darker roof.
Darker roofs are still used so frequently today because they are still practical in a lot of areas across the country, especially in areas that get colder over the winter months. The heat they absorb helps the snow melt off before it becomes too heavy and causes damages.
Roofing Material
The material used for your shingles also has a significant impact on how much heat is absorbed into your home. An asphalt roof only reflects an estimated 30% of the light that hits your home. One of the best materials for reflecting light away from your home is a metal roof which helps keep your home and attic at an even temperature year round. Every option from asphalt shingles to tile roofs offer different rates of light and heat absorption.
Roof and Attic Construction
It’s important to understand that regardless of what type of roofing material you use for your home, roof construction and attic ventilation are two of the most important factors that go into keeping your house at a comfortable termpature. Any quality roofer will tell you that proper roof ventilation is the best way to ensure your home stays cool in the summer. If your home is well-built and your attic has the right amount of insulation and ventilation, then the heat coming in from the roof won’t had a major impact on the temperature of the rest of your home. Proper ventilation should provide cooling properties for your roof’s shingles while insulation keeps any excess heat from reaching beyond your attic.
If you’re looking for a local roofer you know you can trust to build you a high-quality roof in Vancouver, give the experts at In Awe Roofing a call. We’ve been in business for over a decade and would be happy to install your new roof.
In Awe Roofing Limited is an Award-Winning, family owned and operated Vancouver Roofing Contractor with over 17 years of roofing experience. We serve the entire Lower Mainland area, from Whistler to Chilliwack, employing a team of professional staff members. Our team has won numerous awards including Best of Homestars for the last five years, and Three Best Rated six years in a row. Learn more
