The sun exposure your roof receives in the Roseville area year-round can cause intense heat damage that can significantly impact its lifespan. While you can’t cover your roof with an enormous umbrella to protect it, you can put in place protective strategies to minimize its deterioration and untimely replacement. Taking preventive action ensures your roof’s integrity and prevents costly future repairs.
1. Install Reflective Coatings
Traditional roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles, absorb heat, causing the roof’s surface temperature to rise. On the hottest days of summer, it’s not unusual for roofs to heat up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. That type of intense heat can cause your roof to blister, bubble, and, ultimately, need replacement much faster.
Installing a reflective roof coating can reduce how much solar heat your roof absorbs. These coatings reflect the solar heat, significantly lowering the roof’s surface temperature. Roofs with coatings experience less thermal stress to the underlying roof membrane and increased protection from the sun’s UV radiation.
Your roofer might recommend one of three coatings. One type is elastomeric coatings. They’re applied as a liquid and form into a flexible membrane following application.
Another option roofers may offer is the installation of light-colored membranes applied to the roof’s surface. Not only does this coating have higher reflective properties, but the light colors absorb less heat than dark colors. If you’re shopping for a new roof, you might also ask about roofing materials with reflective granules.
2. Choose Your Roofing Materials Carefully
If your roof is in good shape and not nearing the end of its lifespan, installing reflective roof coating may likely be the most economical option. However, if you’re ready to replace your roof, you might want to choose different materials. Some roofing materials absorb less heat and naturally protect your roof from the sun’s damaging rays.
When you think of residential roofing material, cement tiles might not first come to mind. Yet, these tiles offer incredible durability and heat resistance. If you’re interested in long-lasting protection, you can’t go wrong with this material’s thermal properties. Cement tiles also have a Class A fire rating, which is the highest rating of fire protection you can get. This is a plus for places like Roseville that are at a moderate risk for wildfires.
Clay tiles are another option if you’re replacing your roof. Made from natural materials, they’re highly effective at resisting UV radiation and the subsequent damage from long-term sun exposure. The way the tiles are made results in natural air pockets, which makes continuous airflow underneath the tiles possible. Roofing materials with this natural ventilation dissipate more heat and allow for better protection from the sun’s intense heat.
3. Schedule Annual Roof Inspections
Reflective coatings and more sun-friendly roofing materials can extend the life of your roof by mitigating the effects of sun damage. However, your roof is exposed to the sun every single day, and sometimes, damage is inevitable. The key to avoiding premature roof replacement from that damage is preventive maintenance.
The best way to maintain your roof is to have it inspected annually. Most people skip this step when they’re thinking about how to protect their roofs from ultraviolet rays. However, it’s an essential piece of the protection plan.
Constant sun exposure can cause cracked shingles and warping. Shingles can become brittle and crumble. Anytime roofing materials become damaged, the chances for moisture damage increase. Gaps between cracked or curled shingles easily allow for water infiltration and even mildew and mold growth on the roof’s surface and its underlying surface membrane. An annual roof inspection performed by roofing experts can find and repair problems quickly. Early intervention and fast repairs maintain your roof’s structural integrity and keep costly roof repairs or replacement at bay.
When you protect your roof from the intense sunshine, you also enjoy greater energy efficiency and lower energy bills. Our roofing team offers repair and replacement services, and we can help you with roof design. If you’re ready to lower your roof’s sun damage risk, our professional roofers have options for you. Give Clark's Gables Roofing a call today to learn more about your options and find a solution that fits your budget!
