The 5 Best Roofing Materials for Warmer Climates

If you live in a warmer climate, you may be wondering what roofing materials would be able to stand up to the heat. Dealing with triple-digit temperatures is no easy task. The unforgiving heat can cause you to turn up the air conditioner and send those energy prices skyrocketing. But there are roofing materials available that do a great job at keeping your home calm, cool, and collected. In this article, we are going to discuss some of the options that you have as a homeowner that will keep your home cool without you having to spend a ton of money on cooling your home through electricity.

1. Concrete

Utilizing concrete tile is a great way to cool your home for a more inexpensive price than other options. Even though it is a heavy material, it takes a long time to heat up while it’s standing in the sun. That means that, in turn, it will take a long time for that heat to get through your roof and start to heat up your home. Also, these tiles are often put into a wave pattern that improves airflow between the decking and the roof surface. This will have a hand in cooling your home as well. Painting these tiles a lighter color will help reflect heat even more and may give your home a more aesthetically pleasing look overall.

2. Metal

Picking a metal roof is a fantastic choice for anyone living in a warmer climate. Throughout cities in warmer climates, like San Antonio, Texas and Los Angeles, California, metal roofing is a very popular choice. There is often a higher up-front cost than other materials such as asphalt, but as time pasts the money that you will save on maintenance and electricity costs will surely help the difference. From aluminum to copper, there are many different options that you can choose from. Each will reflect the sun in their own way. But if you are looking for an even more reflective option there paints and coatings for metal roofing that will increase its reflectiveness even more.

With metal roofing, roofers airspace between those metal panels and the decking. This airspace is crucial in cooling down your home. It acts as a thermal barrier that lowers the heat from the sun as it transfers from the roof to the interior of the home below. Additionally, metal is fire-resistant as well. This makes it a great choice for those who live in a warmer climate. It is also a choice that is great for the environment since metal roofing is often made with recycled materials. Once the material finally reaches the end of its lifespan, the material can be recycled as well as it moves onto the next home.

3. Green/Living

Aside from its intriguing and unique appeal, green roofs do wonders for making your home more energy-efficient. In order to bring a green roof to life, a waterproof membrane filled with soil and vegetation is incorporated into your roof. This is meant to cool the home naturally through the soil’s temperature and the growth of the greenery on top. Along with cooling your home, the plants also bring more oxygen into the air and improve your home’s air quality. This makes it great for those who are living in a highly congested area. Due to its pricing and the expertise needed to install this material, it’s not too popular throughout homes. But, that doesn’t take away from the immense benefits of having a green roof.

4. Clay

Clay is a fantastic choice for those who are living in a warmer climate. They’re incredibly long-lasting; they usually last for at least 50 years, if not more. If you’re looking for a Southwest flair or colonial style home, then tile is one of the best ways to pull it off. Clay is a material that has a history of protecting individuals from the heat, so you can definitely protect it to protect you and your family. Typical clays are lighter in color, which makes them more susceptible to heat without having to be painted. If you are looking for an eco-friendly option then clay would be a great choice. They are super easy to recycle, so you do not have to worry about the possibility of it landing in a landfill.

The curved shape of the tile makes a difference as well. It allows the air to circulate efficiently below the surface. Throughout the day, this helps cool your home. When it comes to cost, they are a bit more expensive than other materials on the market. Clay tiles are also very heavy; at least two to four times heavier than asphalt. In order to make sure that your home can handle the weight of them, you may have to reinforce the foundation of your home. But, after looking at the benefits of utilizing clay, you may find that the benefits of clay outweigh the negatives.

5. EPDM “Rubber”

EPDM is often referred to as rubber, but it is actually a synthetic rubber-like substance. This substance is very durable against harsh conditions. It is built to withstand the unrelenting heat of the summer without cracking or breaking down. If you are interested in mimicking the look of slate and cedar, this material would be a great cost-effective way to do just that. This roofing is lightweight and reflective which makes it perfect for those who are living in a warmer climate. It’s also a more affordable choice than tile or green roofs. Also, while implementing regular maintenance methods, it can protect your home for decades on end.

When combating the sun, protecting your home can be a tough task. That is why it is important to put a lot of thought into your roof’s material. Each has pros and cons you need to weigh in order to figure out what material is going to work best for you. Whether you are into metal roofing or green roofing, your home will surely benefit from bringing one of these energy-efficient choices to your humble abode.