For those commercial property owners who live in hot climates, you know some of the challenges that the sun can create for your building. Specifically, your roof is in constant contact with direct sunlight all day long. This is why it’s so important to utilize particular roofing materials that work best to ensure that your building remains cool during times of intense heat. In this article, we will cover the best roofing material for hot climates.
Terracotta
Terracotta is one of the most popular roof materials in areas that deal with hot climates. This is a very durable, heat-resistant material that comes in a tile form. The tiles are naturally cool, which helps them fight off the heat.
Not only is it extremely efficient when it comes to keeping your building from getting too hot, but it is also very attractive. The terracotta tile will provide you with one of the best combinations of effectiveness and aesthetics. If your commercial property is about creating a beautiful look on the outside, this is probably your best choice.
In some cases, terracotta tiles may require you to construct a special support structure for your roof. These tiles weigh more than some of the other roofing material options. Keep this potential issue in mind as you explore this option for your building.
Solar Cells
Solar cells will help keep your building cool by storing heat to be used later in the form of energy. In particularly hot climates, the abundance of sunlight will allow you to store large amounts of energy. Not only is your building kept cool, but you will also save a lot of money on your electric bills.
There are many different solar cell styles available to match the color and outside design of your building. However, many solar cells are rather large and bulky. They will take up large sections of your roof. If aesthetics is a top priority for your commercial property, this may not be the best choice.
Eco-Friendly Shingles
There is a wide variety of eco-friendly shingles that you can consider. Wood shingles and rubber shingles (constructed from recycled tires) are a couple of the eco-friendly shingle options that work well in hot climates. If you are trying to get your property to go green, these shingles are a great way to start.
Most eco-friendly shingles are fairly priced. In fact, rubber shingles are very inexpensive. However, wood shingles tend to be much more expensive and require fairly regular maintenance and upkeep. Wood shingles are mostly a good fit for buildings that are trying to go for a more traditional look.
White Metal
As you can probably guess, metal is one of the sturdiest roofing materials that you can use. If you are looking for a long-term option that will be extremely durable for many years to come, white metal is a safe bet. Since metal doesn’t retain heat very much, it will help keep your building very cool during those times of scorching temperatures.
If there is one drawback related to white metal roofs, it’s the noisiness that can occur during heavy rain. If your building needs to remain quiet on a consistent basis, you may want to think twice about this roof material.
PVC Membranes
PVC membranes are heat-reflective and lightweight. Most importantly, it is UV resistant. This quality helps fight off the blazing sun so that your building can remain comfortable during hot times of the year. PVC membranes also work as a great low-cost option that is fairly easy to apply. You can expect this type of roof to last close to 30 years.
PVC membranes aren’t always the most attractive option when it comes to roof material. This type has a unique look that often only fits the style of a small number of commercial buildings.
Slate
Slate is one of the oldest roofing materials. This extremely durable material comes in a lot of different shapes and natural colors. Longevity is the key attribute to this roof type. Once you have a slate roof in place, your building should be in good shape for many decades.
Even though slate is a bit expensive, the fact that it can last for fifty years or more in some cases is a major advantage. The material is quite heavy though, so you may need to anchor your roof depending on the layout of your building.
With so many roof material options available, the final decision of what type to choose will often come down to the price and the appropriate style that will fit your building. You can feel confident in the fact that we have listed some of the best commercial roofing material for hot climates right here in this article. Picking out one of these roofing materials will give you peace of mind in knowing that your commercial property will be properly protected from the relentless impact of the sun.
