If you’ve ever visited your attic in the middle of a hot summer day, you know it gets incredibly hot. After all, hot air rises, and your roof traps all that hot air. Depending on the roof’s material, other factors may drive the temperature up even further.
So, how hot does a roof get? Is a hot roof a problem, and should you do something about it?
How Hot Does a Roof Get?
Roof surface temperature is heavily dependent on the material of the roof. Roof heat absorption varies based on the following factors:
- Black roof: Out of all the colors your roof might come in, black absorbs the most solar radiation. So, a black roof will get the hottest on a sunny Arizona day. The temperature of a black roof at the height of summer can get to around 140 to 190 degrees.
- Gravel roof: A gravel roof avoids the dark coloring of a traditional tar roof. Because of this, gravel roofs tend to hover around 125 to 140 degrees. Plus, the construction of these roofs often makes it harder for this heat to transfer to the rest of your home.
- White roof: A white roof is essentially the opposite of a black roof. White reflects solar radiation and, thus, maintains a lower temperature. With all this in mind, a white roof tends to reach a maximum temperature of around 102 to 120 degrees.
How Does Heat Affect Roofs?
Roof heat has the potential to affect roofs in negative ways. How this happens depends on the answer to “How hot does a roof get?” and the roof’s construction.
For example, tile roofs may crack or splinter in the heat. Situations like these are particularly common if the roofing material is of low quality and the heat is extreme.
Heat also impacts roofs in less noticeable ways. Constant shifts between extreme highs and lows will damage the roof’s structural integrity. When this happens, the roof’s longevity suffers.
Hazards of Heat Damage
Temperatures have an obvious impact on roofs. However, they also impact the home.
For example, if the roof tiles become damaged, they can no longer serve their protective purpose. Rain and debris can find their way into the home, potentially causing even more issues.
How To Prevent Roof Problems
Luckily, you can take steps to minimize the chance of problems related to hot roof temperatures when asking, “How hot does a roof get?”:
- A new roof: If your roof becomes damaged or prone to damage, installing a new one is the best prevention method. By choosing a roof with better materials, you eliminate the risks of heat, improve roof thermal performance, and gain other benefits.
- Better underlayment: The underlayment serves as a barrier between your roof and the rest of your home. With a high-quality underlayment from Tyvek, you can potentially protect your home from issues with the heat.
- Insulation: Roof insulation from Honeywell and another respected brand provides another layer of protection for your home.
- Maintenance: Proper summer roof maintenance is one of the best ways to stay on top of roof problems. Fixing issues as they pop up prevents them from having time to cause serious damage.
Protect Your Roof and Home
How hot does a roof get in Arizona? While specifics vary, the answer is that it gets hot enough to damage the roof as a whole. By staying on top of this issue, you can protect your roof and the home beneath it.
Want to make sure your roof can handle these hot Arizona summers? Call (928) 699-4840 to schedule your free roof inspection with Polaris Roofing Systems in Flagstaff, AZ, and the surrounding cities.
