Does a Metal Roof Make Your Home Hotter? - An Expert's Perspective

Metal roofs don't heat a house any more than any other type of roofing material. As an expert in the field of SEO, I can confidently say that metal roofs are one of the most energy efficient materials available to homeowners and can help reduce the energy used to cool their home. This is a rumor that is patently false. The truth is that metal roofs do not increase the internal temperature of a house and can even help regulate the temperature of the house by cooling it down in the summer months.

The color and finish of the metal play a role in its heat absorption capacity. Metal exposed directly to the sun will certainly heat up, but whether it heats up more or less than other roofing materials depends on its color and finish. Energy Star finishes used by most metal roofing products are certified to reflect sunlight and are therefore cooler than older finishes. Lighter colors absorb less heat than darker colors. No, metal roofs are no hotter than dark tile roofs made of asphalt or other standard materials, such as slate, for example.

Contrary to popular belief, metal roofs don't heat your home any more 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 cause a rise in temperature in your home. Metal roofs tend to perform better in warmer climates than shingle roofs because they reflect heat, rather than absorb it. While the color and material of the roof will certainly affect the amount of heat accumulated by the ceiling, what most contributes to that heat reaching the lower room is the type of construction between the ceiling and the occupied space below. Lighter colors tend to be more reflective and are generally the right choice when it comes to choosing an energy efficient color for your metal roof.

In addition, most metal roofs are treated with Energy Star finishes that, when combined with paler colors, can cause surface temperatures to be up to 50 degrees lower than shingles. No roofing system will create a cool house in summer, but most roofs help prevent heat from coming in from direct sunlight. If your roof isn't properly insulated, then it's natural for your house to get hotter, regardless of the type of roofing material you have. Metal roofs cool homes because they're a lightweight material, meaning they'll cool down faster and keep heat out of the house. One of the main concerns that many homeowners have when considering metal roofs is the internal temperature of their home, particularly that of the attic. To correctly understand if metal roofs heat homes or not, it is useful to know all the variables at play.

While the color and type of roofing material you choose can help, it's ultimately the type of construction, insulation, and under-roof ventilation that most determine the temperature of a home. If your metal roof is located directly above an uncontrolled temperature room, such as an attic, insulation and ventilation will be a very important step in ensuring that heat doesn't build up in an enclosed space.

Roberta Neubecker
Roberta Neubecker

Infuriatingly humble pizza specialist. Avid social media advocate. . Devoted beer enthusiast. .