Extreme Heat and Metal Roofing

August 26, 2022 | Filed under: Buying a New Roof,Consumer Education,Energy,Newsletter Articles,Research

Extreme Heat & Metal Roofing - Classic Metal Roofing Systems

Our climate has gone to extremes in the last few years as temperatures rise and wildfires crop up more and more often.  Extreme heat is a reality.

Home heating and cooling have become crucial globally; solutions that work together to move towards an energy-efficient home are increasingly valuable. One change many homeowners should consider is switching out their existing roof for a metal roof. 

Our metal roofs employ heat-reflective coatings that lower inside temps and reduce needed effort from heating and cooling systems. This effect is so drastic that it can reduce energy bills by up to 20%. One Arizona homeowner experienced these savings when he installed a Classic Metal Roof. 

Solar Reflectance and Heat

Solar Reflectance and Solar Reflectance Index measurements consider the amount of solar heat reflected from a roof and offer a way to compare different colors, coatings, and styles to see what fits your home best. These values are critical to understanding your roof’s performance in the heat. 

For reference, SR/SRI places your roof on a spectrum between pure white and pure black. This sets white at 1 SRI and black at 0 SRI. While white reflects nearly all heat and sunlight, black absorbs almost all of both. No matter the color of your roof, it will fall somewhere between the two. Generally speaking, the lighter the roof’s color, the better it will reflect heat and the closer the SRI to 1. The darker the color, the more it will absorb heat and the closer the SRI to 0. 

While color plays a part in this value, material and coatings play a significant role too. Asphalt tends to soak up heat, much like a hot driveway in the summer or leather seats in a car. Metal would absorb heat, but with the proper coating, it can reflect much of it. These coatings take advantage of evolving technology to provide not just heat reflectivity but durability too. 

We manufacture all Classic Metal Roofs using the premier coating for metal roofing products, PVDF. Sometimes referred to as Kynar, PVDF offers superior durability and heat reflectivity to other coatings. Especially when dealing with high UV exposure, PVDF outperforms polyester coatings and retains its color for much longer. 

Help Manage Extreme Heat & Save Energy

As temperatures climb, the sun wears on your roof and increases the cooling load. Investing in a metal roof with a PVDF coating improves your home’s energy efficiency and will stay beautiful for years to come. 

Still not sure? See how a Classic Metal Roof looks in the color of your choice on your home with our Product Visualizer

Once you find a style you like, call our friendly Customer Service team at 1-800-543-8938