Your roof is one of your home’s first lines of defense against the weather – which means it needs to be adapted to its environment. Arizona is notorious for its brutal summers, which means all Arizona roofs need to be able to withstand the intense heat and sun. So what’s the recommended roofing for Phoenix homes to keep you and your house protected during the summer?
Effects of Phoenix’s Sun on Your Roof
We all know the effects that the heat has on us – but what effects does it have on your roof? You may not be surprised to know that the heat and sunlight Phoenix gets can wear down your roof over time. The UV rays can break down your roofing materials, and the intense heat can even cause some types of shingles, such as asphalt shingles, to melt in certain circumstances. In addition, if your roof gets extremely hot during the day and then cools quickly at night, it can cause thermal shock – meaning that the materials expand and contract quickly, leading to them becoming weakened over time.
What Roof Shape is Best for a Hot Climate?
When it comes to the best type of roof for withstanding heat, material tends to be more important than roof shape. Any shape of roof – especially the most common gable and flat roofs – can be outfitted with materials that make them more durable and energy-efficient for the heat of the Phoenix sun.
Best Roofing Materials for Extreme Heat
What are the best roofing materials for the extreme heat that Phoenix homes have to withstand? There are several different options that will help protect your roof during the summer.
- Metal Roofs: It may be surprising, but metal roofs are a great choice for hot climates! Metal roofs are not only incredibly durable, but they reflect heat, making your home cooler during the rough summer months. In addition, you can apply reflective coatings to make it even energy-efficient, which takes some of the burden off your A/C.
- Slate Roofs: Slate roofs can be expensive and heavy, so they’re not very common amongst most homeowners. But they’re some of the most durable roofing materials out there, and can withstand the heat excellently.
- Terra-Cotta Tiles: Clay roofs are extremely common across the valley, and for good reason. Not only do terra-cotta roofs complement the beautiful Arizona landscape, but they’re very durable and able to withstand the heat of Phoenix summers. In addition, the curve in the tiles enables air to circulate underneath, keeping the roof cooler, and the light color retains less heat. Like slate, however, clay tiles can be heavy and expensive.
- Concrete Tiles: Concrete tiles are cheaper than clay tiles, but have much of the same heat-resistant properties, which makes them a good alternative to terra-cotta tiles. However, they’re similarly heavy.
- Rubber Roofing: Rubber roofing isn’t technically rubber at all; rather, it’s made from a synthetic material similar to rubber known as ethylene propylene diene monomer – or EPDM. This type of roof is extremely durable and reflects heat, making it among the best roofing materials for Arizona homes.
Are you building a home or looking for a roof replacement in the Phoenix area? Have questions that weren’t answered in this blog? Call the experts at Roofstar Arizona now at (480) 426-1915 for information or to schedule a free estimate. We’ll tell you the truth about your roof!