How Arizona’s Sun and Heat Impact Your Roof Tiles

1 year ago

We all know how scorching hot it gets in the summer here in Arizona. You may have experienced the rapid deterioration of items left outdoors like your patio furniture and cushions, garden hoses, and garden ornaments. If they are not made of incredibly durable materials, they don’t last very long. Now consider your roof that has full exposure to those hot days year in and year out! Most homeowners quickly realize they need to know more about how Arizona’s brutal sun and heat affects their roof and its longevity before making any decisions about their home’s roof; whether that is a new build, a repair, or a replacement.

How Hot Does a Roof Get in the Summer?

First, we need to know how hot it gets up there to know how it will impact the roof and its components. Would you be shocked to learn that it can be up to 50 degrees hotter on the roof than the ambient temperature? Since we all know we get 100 to 120 degree days during the summer, that means we can be sure that our roofs have seen many days at 150 degrees and possibly up to 170 degrees at times. And that doesn’t even include the impacts of high winds and monsoons that can further exploit how the tiles are affected by the heat.

Does Heat Affect Your Roof?

Yes, the heat definitely affects your roof. And, just like those outdoor items, if you don’t choose the quality that will greatly affect how long your roof can last without developing issues. Tile is an excellent choice for the Valley and that is why you see so many varieties of tile on roofs here. In Arizona, most tiles are either made of clay or concrete. Slate roofs are uncommon here, mostly due to their high cost, but they are still extremely effective against the heat and incredibly durable.

Although the heat affects roofs the way we described, the real danger to a roof in Arizona comes from insults to the tile, which could be cracked, but are more likely to be the result of storms pulling tiles up or damaging them. This reveals the underlayment which can’t hold up to the weather on its own. We can’t easily see our rooftops and that is why we recommend regular checks. You can walk the perimeter of your home checking for any damage or if anything looks out of place and you can also check the ceiling of your attic to stay on top of potential issues. You can also call us for regular checkups every few years at a minimum or after any particularly disruptive weather.

How Long Will a Tile Roof Last in AZ?

A typical tile roof will last at least 50 years in Arizona. Clay tile is the most durable with the potential to survive 100 years or more, but concrete tile will also provide a high-quality roof that can hold its own against our raging heat waves. With effective maintenance and quickly applied repairs, these roofs can last even longer.

What is the Best Underlayment for a Tile Roof in Arizona?

There are two main types of superior quality roofing underlayment for our climate. The two types are synthetic felt underlayment. You can read much more detail about your options in our post on that subject, but the short version is that felt underlayment is a proven, high-quality choice that has shown it can hold up to 20 or 30 years of Arizona’s punishing weather.

We are proud to share that we are experts in all aspects of roofing with decades of experience and you know you can trust us because our motto is our truth: “We will always tell you the truth about your roof”.

Please reach out to us at (480) 426-1915 or learn more about us and our roofing excellence on our main site.

This is the second time I’ve used Roofstar for roof repairs. Jeff and Roofstar has been honest and fair with their prices compared to other companies however the big difference to me was with the customer service. Jeff Knudson, the owner, came out to our house personally to explain to me what the problem and the options were. Not everything was “urgent” or “required” to be repaired; some items were necessary and some were “nice to have” in order to prevent future repairs. I appreciated the honesty and the option to select the level of repairs that I needed and fit into my budget. Outside of some delays early on during the quote process, the work was completed timely and per the quote provided, no hidden fees or changes to the original quote. I am very happy with the work performed by Roofstar and will recommend Roofstar to any friends and neighbors requiring roof work.

Brian

Gilbert, AZ

Very impressed with Jeff’s response to my concern over a rain caused leak in our ceiling.

Jeff arrived promptly in the a.m. for an evaluation, congenial, confident – integrity fully present. The same characteristics I respected, wanted and needed and had happily experienced the moment I met him. After observing the
rather slight damage to the ceiling we went to the roof where he promptly flattened himself atop the shingles and like a practiced detective began to assess shingles and flashing, etc, in order to create a likely scenario that might have generated a leak. His minute attention to detail was impressive.

Having isolated the potential problem he proceeded to caulk here and there. He also took the time to address other concerns that I had regarding roofing issues going forward.

All in all Jeff delivered the kind of prompt, competent service all homeowners seek, are entitled to, and hope for in a tradesman.

Thank you, Jeff for living the kind of values that make owning a home worth the while.

Bob H.

Phoenix, AZ

We had work done last week, they were thorough, reasonably priced, on time, cleaned up after themselves, and provide before and after photos. They also have an inspector check the work after, they do not try to sell you things you do not need. I appreciate their honesty.

Melody H.

I have had several neighbors ask about your company and have given favorable recommendations to this point. Your team was very professional and I think to this point did a great job! I am in sales as well and just to let you know Mike was very professional in his meeting with me and his presentation and follow up made the difference between other companies.

Steve Y.

Scottsdale, AZ

Our experience with Roofstar was very professional from the moment someone came out for the quote. They were the only company to get on our roof when they were initially quoting us. We really appreciated how thorough and professional they were. The crew working on our roof was very timely, clean and efficient. The quality of the roof exceeded our expectations. We could not feel happier about how it turned out! We will always refer Roofstar Arizona to friends and family! Our neighbor is actually going to get theirs done now because they saw the quality we received!

Andrea B.

Thank you Jeff. Your team (Juan Diaz and crew) did an outstanding job and we really appreciated the daily clean up. Awesome.

Sheryl S.

Fountain Hills, AZ

Excellent service! They install some bird barriers that other companies do not. They explained everything in easy to understand terms. Very friendly and very knowledgeable. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a quality and reputable company.

J R.

Jeff found problems we knew were wrong with our roof that other Roofers who inspected & gave proposals missed. He was very straight forward, honest & always making sure our questions were answered. He & his crew showed us materials being used & explained everything! He got on the roof during the work to make sure things were going right. His crew are outstanding, respectful, honest and very clean. Couldn’t be more satisfied!! He came highly recommended & we can see why! Thank you Jeff, Juan and Crew for all your hard work. They care & take pride in their work & customers!

Ron & MJ P.

Mesa, AZ

I want to extend my compliments to Santiago Sr & Jr. I really appreciated Santiago Sr’s sense of ’ownership’ with the job and recognize and am grateful for the effort that he and his son put into making sure the job was done well. They did excellent work! Thank you.

Louie B.

Scottsdale, AZ

We just want to thank you (Jeff) and your employees for the excellent and professional job in replacing our tile roof. Your employee’s (Juan Diaz and crew) were diligent, neat, pleasant, worked independently and very competent. It was such a pleasure to do business with a company with such high standards. We would highly recommend your company without reservations.

Duane and Elaine H.

Phoenix, AZ

Free Assessment for Homeowners

We can handle all kinds of residential roof repairs. Call us today to schedule an assessment with one of our Field Inspectors. We also assist with insurance claims. Learn more about Our Real Estate Services.

Schedule your free assessment today!