Many people assume that if they get a metal roof, that means that their house may as well be an oven come summertime. With how metal roofs are becoming more and more commonplace, many people presume this is a bad idea if you live somewhere where it gets hot, thinking metal roofs make houses hotter than their shingle counterparts. Are metal roofs hotter? The truth is, it depends on a number of factors.

Here’s what you need to know about metal roofs and hot temperatures and if metal roofs make houses hotter.

Will Metal Roofs Make Houses Hotter?

Contrary to popular belief, metal roofs do not make your house any hotter than any other type of roofing material. In fact, many would be surprised to learn that while metal reflects light, shingles tend to absorb heat, which can result in a temperature increase in your house. Metal roofs typically perform better in hotter climates than shingle roofs due to the fact that they reflect heat, rather than absorbing it. 

Metal roofs have a low thermal mass, which means that since they don’t absorb heat like asphalt shingles can, metal roofs make houses more energy efficient and can even help keep your house cooler in the blisteringly hot summer months. Provided that your metal roof has been properly installed and the roofing structure below works with it, you needn’t worry about if metal roofs make houses hotter. 

Factors Affecting Metal Roofs And Heat Absorption

There are a few factors that impact metal roofs and heat absorption. In order to properly understand if metal roofs make houses hotter or not, it’s useful to know all the variables at play.

Color 

Darker colored metal roofs will absorb more heat than lighter colored metal roofs. This means that the surface temperature of a dark metal roof is going to be higher than that of a light metal roof. This is true regardless of the type of roofing material you have, because darker colors always absorb more heat than their lighter counterparts. Dark metal roofs still reflect heat better than other roofing materials, but the same as a dark shingle roof, the surface temperature of the roof itself will still be higher.

Finish

How much heat metal roofs retain also depends on the type of finish they have. There are many different finishes for metal roofs that help them to reflect even more heat, so metal roofs make houses cooler, even if they’ve been exposed to direct sunlight. 

Sun Exposure And Weight

For any roof, the more sun exposure it gets, the hotter it’s going to be. However, as the sun sets, the mass of your roof is what determines how quickly your roof cools down. Metal roofs make houses cooler because they are a lightweight material, which means that they’ll cool down faster and keep the heat out of your house. 

Roof Structure

Your entire roof structure isn’t going to be made out of metal, just the cladding. The structure of your roof as a whole is what determines how much heat gets inside your home. If your roof isn’t properly insulated, then it’s only natural that your house gets hotter, regardless of the type of roofing material you have. In order to keep your house cool, your metal roof and the roofing structure as a whole need to be working together to keep the heat out, rather than let it in.

Ventilation

Another part of what helps metal roofs make houses cooler is the ventilation of the roof itself. An experienced roofing contractor will ensure that your metal roof is installed with plenty of ventilation, such as ridge vents, in order to let air circulate out of your attic space. Your house’s overall ventilation plays a major role in whether your house retains heat or releases it back outside.

The Biggest Factor In If Metal Roofs Make Houses Hotter

Ultimately, whether metal roofs make houses hotter comes down to the construction under your roof, the same as with any other roofing material. The fact that metal is lightweight and reflects light certainly help metal roofs make houses cooler, but if there isn’t proper ventilation under your roof, then your house is going to be hotter in the summer, no matter what type of roof you have. So long as your attic and ceiling are properly ventilated and insulated, your home will be able to stay cooler in the hot summer months.

Are You Considering A Metal Roof?

Lifetime Roofing provides high quality metal roofing. If you’re considering installing a metal roof on your home, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today for an estimate and consultation!