Minnesota summers are often hot and humid, with your roof bearing the brunt of the intense sunlight. On the hottest days, roofs can become 50 degrees hotter than the air outside, making them prone to premature damage. Above all, a roof absorbing too much heat will impact your energy costs as your cooling system tries to compensate for the inconsistent temperature. All these can be prevented with the right roof cooling techniques, which a roofing company can implement for you!
Below, we discuss how to keep your roof cool in summer so it will last longer and make your home more comfortable. We also share additional tips and where you can get professional help to ensure your roof will withstand the heat this summer!
8 roof cooling techniques for homes
According to ENERGY STAR, cool roofs help reduce air conditioning costs inside a building during very hot days. Not only that – cool roofs can also reduce the ‘heat island effect’ in your neighborhood, which means keeping your roof cool in summer helps the community!
To get started, here are 8 roof cooling strategies you can implement when summer kicks in:
1. Paint your roof a lighter color
Choosing white or light-colored roof products can reflect 60% to 90% of sunlight. This directly keeps your roof cooler during summer as dark colors absorb too much heat, which could transfer into your home’s interior.
If it’s impossible to paint your roof or switch to ‘cool-colored’ products, you can ask roofers like Boelter Is Better to boost its solar reflectance. We use special pigments or colorants that increase reflectivity by 30% to 60%.
Consider replacing dark shingles or tiles with lighter-colored ones during roof maintenance. This will help minimize heat absorption under direct sunlight, keeping your roof and home cooler.
2. Add cool roof coatings
Cool roof coatings are made of a special formulation that increases a roof’s reflectivity and solar resistance. Cool roof coatings are often elastomeric, meaning it can be shaped easily. It’s commonly available in silicone and acrylic materials, applicable to different types of roofs.
Aside from keeping your home comfortable, cool roof coatings also prevent thermal shock on your roof materials. Thermal shock occurs during rapid temperature changes, such as a sudden rain during a hot day. A roof coating prevents this rapid cooldown while keeping your roof within 15F of the ambient temperature.
In turn, you’ll save money on fewer roof maintenance needs and lower energy bills from cooling your home.
3. Consider a roof misting system
Roof cooling systems, also known as roof misters, spray a fine mist of water onto your roof to cool it down. While they’re not very common in homes, you can consider installing one, especially if you live in a very hot and dry area.
Since the fine mist evaporates quickly, roof misters, if installed properly, have a very low chance of causing mold growth. Aside from reducing ambient temperatures, a roofing misting system also helps repel flying insects from harboring on your roof.
Roof misting is also an eco-friendly way to keep your roof cool during summer since it only uses water. It’s also available with smart features and trigger sensors to avoid excessive misting during cooler temperatures.
4. Install radiant barriers
Radiant barriers are made of highly reflective material, such as aluminum foil, installed on one or both sides of your roof’s substrate material. Some radiant barriers are fiber-reinforced for added durability and easier installation.
The goal of these radiant barriers is to reflect the sun’s heat away from your house’s interior. In turn, it keeps your attic cooler, and your cooling system doesn’t have to compensate for the excessive heat.
Radiant barriers require professional installation to prevent blocking attic air ventilation. Also, it’s important to ensure that the radiant barrier will not accumulate dust, as it will deem it ineffective.
5. Ensure proper attic ventilation
The attic is the part of your house closest to the roof and plays a massive role in keeping heat out of the house. During summer, the attic can be extremely hot without proper ventilation and could also harbor pest-attracting moisture.
Proper ventilation, combined with radiant barriers, cool coatings, and light-colored paint, are also crucial metal roof cooling techniques. Since metal absorbs a lot of sunlight and heat, multiple cooling strategies are necessary.
Installing an attic ventilation system will ensure adequate airflow, allowing hot air to dissipate quickly. You can use attic fans to keep the air moving or get attic vents to let you air out the room during hot summers. Attic vents designed to handle snow buildup are also available to match the Southern Minnesota weather.
6. Consider installing solar panels
Solar panels will let you convert sunlight into electricity while adding a protective layer and shade on your roof at the same time. It’s an excellent investment if your roof gets a lot of sunlight during the summer months.
Aside from keeping your roof cool, solar panels can also help you save on energy bills by reducing your reliance on the grid. That means free electricity and fewer cooling needs for your home during hot days.
If installed correctly, solar panels can still be useful during Mankato winters by allowing snow to shed naturally. For the best results, make sure you hire a reliable solar panel contractor.
7. Upgrade your attic insulation
Attic insulation blocks roof heat from migrating to other areas in your house. Proper attic insulation also keeps warm air inside your home during winter for better temperature regulation.
Aside from installing radiant barriers, as we discussed earlier, you can also upgrade your attic insulation. Consider getting your insulation checked if it’s over 20 years old. While some insulation types can last for over 80 years, some will degrade faster and will require replacements.
In terms of insulation type, spray foam, and blown-in insulation are ideal for their high R-values or ability to repel heat transfer.
Please note that fiberglass batt insulation isn’t recommended for attics as it has a lower R-value and can’t fill gaps efficiently.
8. Switch to reflective shingles or tiles
If you’re planning a new roof installation project, consider getting solar reflective shingles. Also known as ‘cool roofing shingles’, this roof material uses solar-reflecting granules to reduce heat transfer in your home.
Aside from keeping your home cooler, reflective shingles also reduce wear and tear on your roof. It also helps reduce energy by preventing frequent cycling of your cooling system.
For reflective shingles to be classified as ‘Cool’, it must bear the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) rating for solar reflectance and thermal emittance.
If you’re unfamiliar with reflective shingles and want to know more, you can contact us at Boelter Is Better! We can discuss this roofing material with you and how it can benefit your home. You can also request a free, no-obligation estimate to help plan your roof project.
Additional summer roof maintenance tips
Aside from roof cooling techniques, proper maintenance is also essential to protect your home from the summer heat. Proper upkeep will help extend your roof’s lifespan and prevent any discomfort across seasons. Here are a few summer maintenance tips to keep in mind:
- Hire a professional inspector. We always advise Southern Minnesota homeowners to schedule annual roof inspections to spot potential problems, such as blistering, curling, or cracking. Summer is one of the best times to conduct a professional roof inspection so your roof will be ready by winter.
- Check your gutters and drainage. Thunderstorms are common during summer months in Minnesota, so make sure your roof’s drainage is in good shape. This prevents water pooling that could harbor roof pests and mold over time.
- Trim overhanging branches. Natural shade over your roof helps keep it cool during summer, but trim any overhanging branches to prevent pests and tree debris from falling and damaging your roof.
- Check roof penetrations. Make it a habit to inspect areas on your roof where vents, pipes, and other structures penetrate. Ensure the seals are intact to prevent heat from entering your home and disrupting your indoor air temperature.
- Check for mold and moss. Humid Minnesota summers can cause mold and moss to grow on your roof. Moss left sitting on your roof can cause the shingles to crack and curl, while algae can damage the gutters if not cleaned immediately. If you suspect your roof has these problems, you can call Boelter Is Better for quick inspection and repairs.
Let Boelter Is Better make your roof cooler!
Warm and humid summers in Southern Minnesota may not be as hot as those in Florida, but they can still subject your roof to intense temperatures. Implementing roof cooling techniques can help reduce this wear and tear, helping your roof last longer and your home more comfortable.
If you want to make your roof cooler this summer, you can call Boelter Is Better for professional roof cooling strategies. For over 30+ years, we’ve been providing reliable roofing, windows, and siding in Mankato. As fellow homeowners ourselves, we deliver the same level of service as if your home is our own.
Contact us today to learn more about roof cooling options or any roof project you have in mind. Call us and we’ll give you a free estimate!
