When it’s freezing out, you want your house to stay warm. When it’s sweltering, you want your house to stay cool. Sure, you can invest in the best of the best when it comes to your HVAC system, but that all means nothing if your roofing isn’t doing its job. Especially as you step into the warmer months of the year, it’s important to take a look at how your roof affects the temperature of your home. From the color to the material choice, see how you can transform the temperature in your home just with your roof.

Roofing Material

The material of a roof has a substantial effect on the general heat absorption of the home. Different materials have different reflective properties and heat absorption rates than others, which means the material you choose for your roof will impact the temperature within the home. For example, asphalt roofs reflect a small percentage of light that hits your home, whereas metal roofs are incredibly reflective, keeping your home at more even temperatures year-round. The more sunlight a roof absorbs, the more heat will eventually transfer into the home. Therefore, metal roofs are fantastic options for reflecting light and keeping your home cool.

Roof Color

Another aspect you should think about when it comes to your roof and your home’s temperature is the color of the roof. We can all think back to our middle school education, where we learned that darker colors absorb more light than lighter colors. From there, we assume that a darker-colored roof will absorb more light, trapping heat. This leads to the question many people ask: Why are there so many dark-colored roofs?

The answer is simple: the weather shifts. Sure, the warm months are great, and if you live in an area that’s hot year-round, then a dark-colored roof may not be the best pick. However, if you live in a place where the weather shifts with the seasons, then you want a roof that will absorb heat during the winter. When you choose a material such as metal, a darker roof doesn’t make that much of a difference—so many other factors can change a home’s interior temperature. A dark roof, therefore, is still a good choice.

Roof and Attic Construction

Even more important than the material and color of your roof is the actual construction and installation of the roof and attic. Even if you get a metal roof in a medium shade, your home’s temperature will still vary widely if the ventilation and insulation of your roof and attic are poor. Good ventilation and insulation are the best ways to ensure your home stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

In the end, what really matters is picking a solid material for your roof and a professional roofing company to install it. If you think your roof and your home’s temperature control could be improved, turn to American Metal Roofs of Michigan. We have a wide variety of materials, shades, and styles to choose from. For example, our copper shakes in Michigan are a great choice to keep those Michigan homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Reach out for a consultation now, and see just how much you can improve your home!