You might think that your air conditioning system is the primary method for keeping your home cool, but your roof actually plays a big role in cooling a home as well. Austin homeowners live in a climate that remains hot for most of the year. As a result, the roofing materials you choose should be specifically designed for the demands that the heat and sun can put on a roof, and be able to reflect, not absorb, the heat from the sun. Here are three great materials for hot climates.
Cool Roof Coatings
The trend of the “cool roof” is catching on, especially in highly populated areas and warm climates. If you’re not ready to re-do your entire roof with cool roofing materials, consider getting an overlay or radiant barrier for your Austin roofing that will help your roof reflect heat and keep the shingles cooler.
Slate or Clay Tile
There is a reason that many homes in the warm climate of Mexico are built with terra cotta tiles on the roof—clay tiles are great at reflecting heat, plus they are designed with a special “S” shape that leaves space below each tile for air and water to circulate, which keeps heat out and the home below cooler. Slate is also a good option because it comes in many light earth tones, which keeps the heat from building up on and under the roof. The down side to these materials is that they are heavier, so your home must be capable of supporting them.
Metal Roofing
Metal roofing, especially in lighter colors, is better at reflecting the sun’s energy away from your home, and also has an advantage because it cools faster at night and doesn’t hold heat as long as other Austin roofing materials. However, it is generally more expensive than asphalt shingles, which are the most common and most affordable roofing material used in residential construction.
If you’re looking for a way to keep your house cool without using your air conditioner so much, these three options for roofing in Austin can help you save energy every month by helping to reduce the amount of heat your roof absorbs.
