If you’re considering roof replacement, you need to do it right and add the best roofing material for Texas heat as a factor in your decision.
The fact is, our state can have scorching summers, and there are real benefits to getting the best material.
The right roofing material can keep your house cool in three different ways:
- Reflectivity is the ability of a material to reflect, rather than absorb, heat from sunlight.
- Heat Absorption is the ability of a material to store heat during the day and release it at night.
- Insulation is the material installed in your attic and throughout your home to stop heat from transferring into living spaces.
So, taking all that in mind, which roof is ideal? In our opinion, clay is the best roofing material for homes in Texas.
But there’s more to it than that: In this guide, we’ll look at four roofing materials and their performance in heat:
- Clay
- Metal
- Asphalt
- Concrete
1. Clay is the top roofing material for heat.
Clay roof tiles are made by baking molded clay. They range in color from white, yellow, and orange to brown, and come in styles like terracotta and Mission.
Clay roofing excels in extreme heat.
As we said at the top, clay tiles do very well in hot weather. They have a high thermal mass, so they’ll absorb heat like a sponge, then release it, so it won’t get inside your home. They also have excellent insulation, and — if you choose a lighter color like white — good reflectivity.
Overall, homes with clay roof tiles can expect a cooler home and lower energy bills.
2. Metal roofing is reflective and efficient.
A few different metals are used as roof materials — the most common is steel, but copper and aluminum are widely available. Metal roofs typically have a protective coating that prevents rust and other damage.
Metal roofing is surprisingly heat-reflective but expensive.
It may not surprise you to hear that metal roofs are very reflective. They bounce back a lot of solar heat, which helps during the long days of summer.
Metal roofs tend to have less insulation and low thermal mass, so they won’t store heat during the day. Still, with their reflectivity, they make a solid choice for homes in Texas.
3. Asphalt shingles do well with adequate maintenance.
Asphalt shingles are made of a base mat that’s coated in asphalt and surfaced in mineral granules.
The base material for asphalt shingles is either organic or fiberglass. Organic is the traditional option, but fiberglass is a bit lighter.
Asphalt roofing performs well in comparison to price.
An asphalt roof has low reflectivity and heats in the sun to as much as 50 or 60 degrees above the outdoor air temperature. That’s where insulation comes in.
Asphalt shingles will suffer wear and tear over long periods of time in high-heat environments, but they are effective at keeping homes cool.
Maintenance is required to keep asphalt roofs in good condition, but considering the cost difference between a material like metal, asphalt remains the #1 choice for homeowners.
4. Concrete roofing excels in durability but not so well in heat control.
Concrete roofing is made from a mixture of cement, sand, and water. When it comes to roofs, this combination is mixed into a slurry and molded to form tiles, which are applied one at a time.
Concrete roofing scores low on reflectivity and high on heat absorption.
Like clay, concrete has high thermal mass, so it absorbs a lot of heat and dissipates it after the sun goes down.
It’s also unlikely to warp under intense sunlight and high temperatures — not to mention other weather like high wind. Concrete has poor reflectivity, though, so it’s not going to perform to the level of metal roofing or clay roofing in terms of heat control.
Contact us to talk about the best material for your home and budget.
We’ll look at installation and repair costs compared to potential energy savings and come to the right decision.
- Free roof inspections
- Licensed and insured roofers
- No money upfront, ever
Installation is cost-effective, transparent, and collaborative, so you’ll be happy with your roof regardless of the material you choose.
Contact us today for a free quote on your new roof.
– Carlos Rivero, Owner & Operator
Juno Construction Group, LLC
