Florida summers can be extremely unforgiving, with the sun rays coming down on you harshly. On a regular sunny day, your roof can get pretty hot. It could actually even get up to 50 degrees hotter than the surrounding air. When your roof becomes heated by the sun, it can affect the temperature of your whole house.
No matter how much air conditioning you blast, if your roof is burning, your house isn’t likely to cool down. You’re just wasting energy and money on your electric bill. So what can be done to keep your roof cool in the summer? Let’s take a look at some things you can do.
1. Update Your Attic Insulation
Your attic is the space in your house directly below your roof. If your roof is burning up, the attic will probably be really hot. You can update the insulation in your attic to keep the room cooler and introduce some more ventilation. You could put in new insulation in the walls and the attic ceiling, keep the windows open to let fresh air flow through or install a power vent to speed up the cooling process.
2. Paint Your Roof a Lighter Color
Basic color theory has taught us that dark colors absorb heat, and light colors reflect it. If you have a dark concrete root, the roof absorbs more and more heat from the sun and is heating your whole house. Switching to a lighter color roof will reduce the heat being absorbed. You can paint over your entire roof or switch out dark shingles and tiles for a lighter color.
3. Increase the Shade On Your Roof
Another thing that can be done to cool down your roof is to increase the level of shade. Blocking out the direct rays of the sun from reaching your roof can go a long way in keeping it cool. You can get some shade by planting tall trees and vegetation around your house. You could even install green fiber or net shades on your roof.
4. Start a Rooftop Garden
If you have a flat roof with space that can be accessed, consider starting a rooftop garden. Whether you get a bunch of planters and pots or make flowerbeds, both options will add a protective layer between your roof and direct sunlight. The plants’ evaporation and transpiration will also cool down the air surrounding your roof.
5. Consider Solar Reflective Shingles and Tiles
Solar reflective shingles and tiles are newer products on the market that help you cool down your roof and cut back on energy costs. The shingles and tiles are specially designed to reflect solar and infrared radiation.
6. Install Solar Panels
Solar panels are the perfect way to keep your house cool and also become more energy efficient. By installing solar panels on the roof, you add a protective layer between the roof and the direct sunlight, which lowers the temperature of your roof and your house. The solar panels capture the energy from the sun to give you renewable energy in the form of electricity. Not only will you save on your electricity bill by running your air conditioner less, but you’ll also be getting free electricity!
7. Set Up a Roof Misting System
Lastly, you can keep your roof cool in the summers by setting up a roof misting system. You can do this by settling up a simple garden hose on a mist setting or getting a proper evaporative cooling system installed professionally. The system works to lower the temperature of your roof by misting water over the surface. As the water evaporates because of the sun’s rays, it cools the roof down. This can actually reduce temperatures anywhere between 40 to 60 degrees.
Tiger Team Roofing – Roofing Contractors Fort Lauderdale
Tiger Team Roofing is the best South Florida roofing company if you’re looking to get your roof ready for the summer. Whether you need a minor roof repair, a complete roof replacement, or updated roof tiles and shingles, Tiger Team Roofing has you covered. The company has been servicing homes and commercial buildings for roofing projects in Fort Lauderdale and South Florida for many years now.
You can visit our website for more information on our services: https://tigerteamroofing.com/. You can also fill out a form for a free quote on roof repairs and replacements. Our expert team can give you the best advice on roof repair, replacement, and measures to keep your home cool in the summer.