There's Hot, and Then There's HOT
Temperatures can soar up there if you've ever spent time on or around your roof during a hot, sunny day. That's no surprise, but did you also realize that the more desirable your roof gets, the more stress it puts on your roof system over time? Your air conditioning system will have to work harder if you have a lot of heat building up in your attic.
Roof Threats from Summer Sun and Heat
Summer storms can cause damage to your roof, but there are other risks to keep an eye out for, such as hail. There are three different things to bear when it comes to this:
Excessive Heat: In the summer, your roof absorbs an enormous amount of heat from the sun. Depending on the roofing type, an unprotected roof can reach 170 degrees Fahrenheit on a hot summer's day! Roofs are designed to withstand temperatures of up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit; nevertheless, these excessive temperatures can exacerbate the damage caused by solar radiation. Temperatures like this might cause heat to build up in your attic if your roof isn't well-ventilated. As a result, it can put additional strain on your air conditioning system and cause condensation issues.
Thermal Shock Cycles: You may notice a sudden drop in temperature on your roof as the sun down if you live in the area with a hot environment. Over time, this will undermine the structural integrity of your roof by causing your roofing materials to expand and contract a great deal. In the long run, this might cause warping and gaps to emerge in your roofing materials.
UV Radiation: Despite the summer's extended daylight hours, UV rays are more dangerous because they don't contain heat. On gloomy days, UV rays reach your roof and might dry out the oils in your roofing material, causing it to leak. The bleaching, weakening, and cracking of wood (particularly untreated wood) and asphalt shingle buckling and splitting can be caused by this process.
Is There Anything you Can Do to Help My Hot Roof?
As long as you don't neglect your roof, the sun and heat won't wreak havoc on it in a single day. As a result, your roof's life expectancy will be cut short. Does your roof have a life expectancy that you can extend? It is true!
Let It Breathe
It is essential to ensure that your roof is adequately ventilated. Ventilation holes at the roof's peak are called "ridge vents," and they're made of shingle-covered, raised openings. Ridge vents can be built on new and existing roofs, such as shingle roofs. You may also want to consider an attic fan with an adjustable thermostat for automatic ventilation.
Pick Cooler Roofing Materials
It's possible to prevent roof replacement if you use cooler-rated roofing materials when you're putting on a new roof. How Hot Is Your Roof? This shows that some roofing materials and products are more relaxed than others, as you can see. It doesn't have to be white to have a stylish roof. For those who want to keep their homes more relaxed, "cool color" goods now exist that reflect more sunlight and less heat. Lower summer energy bills, more extended roof and air conditioner lifespans, and the potential for "green" rebates and tax credits are some advantages of installing a cool roof (depending on your locality).
For more information contact on roofing contractor in McKinney TX or call Post Oak Roofing in Allen, Tyler, Plano, McKinney, and DFW Texas at (469) 363-6279.