Are you considering a new roof? Possibly a metal roof? Read through the following sections to learn more about metal roofing and whether it creates more heat than other roofing materials.

Do Metal Roofs Make Buildings Hotter?

The quick answer is that metal roofs do not make buildings hotter. In fact, in most cases a metal roof will make your building cooler. It will make your building cooler because it reflects the sun’s rays better that most other materials. Asphalt shingles tend to make your building the hottest, partly because they have a high thermal mass, which absorbs the sun’s heat. Because metal roofing has a low thermal mass, it absorbs less heat. And when the sun goes down, the metal roof quickly cools down to air temperature. Asphalt shingles tend to hold their heat much longer when the sun goes down than a metal roof.

Finish Type

There are many finishes and coatings available for metal roofs. The type of finish will affect the ability of the metal to reflect heat and light. Compared to native metal, some finishes actually increase the ability of the metal roof to reflect the sun’s heat. One kind of finish is guaranteed to reflect upwards of 70% of the sun’s heat, reducing energy needs and keeping your building cool.

Choice of Color

The choice of color for your metal roofing also affects the ability to absorb or reflect the sun’s rays. Darker colors will always absorb more heat and lighter colors will absorb less heat. This is true for all other kinds of roofing materials like asphalt shingles, as well as for metal roofing. So if you live in a hot climate, you should select a lighter color for your metal roofing. If you live in a cool climate, you are free to select among a more colorful selection. There is a wide array of colors available for metal roofing. Choose one that suits your fancy and needs.

Improving Energy Efficiency

While type of finish and choice of color do affect the amount of heat the metal roof absorbs, it is the construction of your space beneath the roof that most affects the temperature in the building. If the building being considered is a home, construction of an attic with substantial insulation in the attic floor will directly affect the temperature in your living space. In the summer, insulation in the attic floor keeps heat from transferring from the hotter attic into the living space. In the winter, insulation keeps heat in the living space.

In making the system energy efficient and to put less heat stress on the roof, a ventilation system is needed. That system can be composed of intake vents along the soffit under the roof eves, and exhaust vents along the ridge of the roof. This creates a natural flow of air from intake to exhaust, cooling the hotter air in the attic (in the summer) and thus helping keep the living space cool. In winter, the insulated ceiling keeps heat in the living space. The overall result will be less stress on your metal roofing, and a reduction in your utility bills.