What’s The Best Roofing For Your Local Climate?
A roof is designed to protect your home from the elements. But just what types of elements do you need protection from? And what is the best roof to protect against these elements? This post explores which roof materials and shapes are best suited to different climates so that you can invest in the perfect roof.
What are the best roofs for hot climates?
If you live in a hot and sunny climate, it’s important to choose a roof material that will keep your home cool. Clay and concrete are excellent choices because of their high thermal mass. Metal roofs are also a good choice because of their high reflectivity. It’s worth noting that each of these materials is also incredibly fire resistant, making them an excellent roofing choice for wildlife-prone areas.
Painting roofs white or shaping them into curved tiles can further help dissipate heat. Specially designed ‘cool roofing’ may also incorporate coatings to further repel heat and keep a home cool. Take advantage of sunny clear skies by considering features like solar panels.
What are the best roofs for cold climates?
In cold climates, it’s much better to choose roofing materials that trap heat in and that can resist frost. This includes options like cedar shake roofing (which offers excellent insulation), asphalt roofing (which absorbs heat to help snow and ice melt more quickly) and slate (which offers a smooth surface that helps snow and ice slide off).
Dark colored roofs are much better for absorbing heat and keeping homes warm. Pitched roofs can meanwhile help ice and snow to fall off to prevent roof damage. Consider investing in interior attic insulation to further warm up your roof and trap heat in.
What are the best roofs for protecting against heavy rainfall?
To prevent leaks, homes in rainy climates need to have roofing that is highly waterproof. Asphalt roofing as provided by companies like A&J Professional Services is a highly popular choice due to encouraging water runoff. Traditional stone materials like slate and modern synthetic materials like EPDM are similarly highly water resistant.
Rain-proof roofs need to be sloped to encourage water to run off into gutters. Steeper pitches are more efficient at repelling water, but can be expensive to install. Gentler slopes can still offer good drainage when made from very smooth materials like EPDM.
What are the best roofs for protecting against high winds?
Live in an area with high force winds? You need a roof that can withstand this blustery climate. Heavy materials like concrete and slate are often excellent choices in highly exposed areas because they can withstand extreme wind speeds. Lighter roofing materials are more likely to be ripped off in a storm, however there are exceptions like metal roofing, which is highly resistant to wind.
On top of choosing these materials, it can often be worth reinforcing the roof frame to protect it from high winds. This includes adding features like OSB sheathing, diagonal bracing and gable end framing anchors to provide additional support.
