EFFECTS OF SUN AND HEAT ON HOME ROOFS

Hot sun on home's roof

With summer just around the corner and the weather finally warming up, most people are enjoying this time of year, but hot and humid days in the Kansas City, Missouri area are just around the corner.  Did you know that the relentless summer sun and extreme heat can cause stress on your home's roof?  Here are some items to consider regarding summer weather, roofs and materials from a local Lees Summit roofing contractor to help you out.
Shingle Colors
All asphalt shingles will eventually become bleached lighter by sunlight, especially in hotter sunnier climates like Texas and Florida, but even here in Missouri, shingles will be affected by the sun.  One simple decision that can make a big difference is the color shingle you select.  Automatically a lighter shingle color, such as beige, tan or light gray will looked less bleached or dyed with age than a black or other dark roof shingle.  Preventing color loss may also keep your house cooler in the summer.
Extreme Heat and Roof Ventilation
A small way you can prevent the impact of extreme heat and heat buildup on your roof is from the inside out.  A properly ventilated attic will keep the underside of your roof cooler and help the shingles and roof deck to last longer.  Getting a yearly inspection from a roofing professional to assess whether your attic is vented appropriately can really help.
Proper Attic Insulation
As noted above a properly ventilated attic will help keep your roof cool.  In the  same fashion, an attic that has the proper amount of insulation will help keep an extremely hot roof from transferring that heat into your attic, and then on into your indoor living spaces.  So inspect your home's attic for insulation and ventilation in spring or at least before the hottest days of summer arrive, and before your attic is overly warm for inspection.
There are more ways to cool your roof and extend its life, a couple options are shade and protective cooling materials, but these can be expensive options for an existing roof.  These few simple tips we've provided can be a very beneficial first step in lessening the impacts of summer heat and sun.

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