When you are asked how to keep a building cool, chances are the first thing that you think of is air-conditioning. Yes, that will do the job but the utility bills can be daunting. The first line of defense between the sun and the interior of the house is the roof. Any good roofer in Hollywood will tell you that the best roof for hot climates is one which the release of the sun’s rays, surely not the absorption of the rays.
Think of this scenario; you are sitting on a chair which is upholstered in black fabric; you get up and leave for a few minutes. When you get up, the chair will be warm from your body, and when you get back it will still be warm. If you try the same exercise with a metal or molded plastic chair, when you return, the chair will have cooled off. A traditional roof which uses felt type material behaves in exactly the same manner. If your roof is using felt with a tar overlay, not only will it hold the heat, it will radiate it into the structure below. There are other types of roofing that will reflect the heat and light upward and away from the building.
The materials which work best in warm climates, according to the roofer Hollywood are:
Radiant barrier overlay: These are roof coatings that are foam spray, elastomeric sealants or ceramic based paint. The overlays reflect the heat back from the surface that they are on. The overlay can be put over existing roof materials. The flip side of an overlay is an underlay. An underlay is a reflective barrier that is installed under the roof structure. The material is often aluminum sheet or a reflective spray that can be applied in the attic. It acts as a barrier between the interior of the house and the roof surface.
Slate tiles: Using slate as a roofing material is centuries old, slate is durable and good looking. Over time it takes on a beautiful patina. The natural coolness of slate, especially the light colors keep the interior considerably cooler. The downside of slate is the cost as well as the beefier structure needed to support the weight.
Clay or terra-cotta tiles: Most regions of the Mediterranean as well as Mexico and most Latin American countries use clay or terra-cotta tiles for the roof. Traditional tiles are a light rust color or sienna, these colors, as well as the shape of the tiles keep the roof cool. Terra-cotta tiles are baked, which makes them harder and less able to absorb heat. These tiles are installed in an “S” shapes; the cavity below the tile allows for air circulation and prevents the capture of heat.
There are many other options for roofs in warm climates, in Florida, your roofer in Hollywood will have all the answers.
An excellent roofer in Hollywood who knows ways of cooling your home less expensively than with air-conditioning, is Paul Bange Roofing, Inc.
