Why Your Akron Home Stays Cooler With Metal Roofs

We’re deep into the heat of summer now, and the hot Akron temperatures are only going to climb for another month or so. That means fun in the sun, yes, but it also means higher electric bills as our air conditioners struggle to keep our homes cool. Did you know that one factor that influences your house’s temperature is your roof? Traditional asphalt roofs – even Energy Star-rated roofs – can absorb heat at a much higher rate than other materials, such as metal. A metal roof, contrastingly, can cool down a house and cut your electric bill significantly, while providing a host of other benefits.

How It Works

Metal roofing can keep significantly cooler than other materials. The reflective nature of a metal roof means less heat is absorbed into your home. To compare metal with asphalt, consider how hot a blacktop parking lot is during the mid-afternoon. Your asphalt roof is made of the same material, which is why heating becomes such an issue.

An Energy Star-rated roof can reduce air conditioner demand during the hottest hours of the day by 15%. Metal does this by reducing the heat absorbed and decreasing the emission of heat as the day goes on. Many metal roofers add a reflective, energy-efficient paint that can enhance this effect. Naturally, metal roofs usually win out on Energy Star ratings compared to dark, hot asphalt.

Roof Design Matters Too

The construction of a metal roof also adds an extra layer of cooling. Ventilated metal construction, for example, allows for air flow between spaces and can significantly improve the cooling effect from a metal roof.

Ventilation is a better design for metal roofs than a simple vented installation. Venting only creates dead-end air spaces that do not contribute significantly to cool-down. The key is to create a three-dimensional space that permits air flow, rather than restricting it altogether. Metal roofs are significantly better at this process than asphalt roofs. The combination of better airflow and reflective qualities is what gives metal its advantage over all other materials.

Erie Metal Roofs

Erie Metal Roofs, servicing Akron and surrounding areas, is an experienced roofing contractor that produces high-quality, energy efficient metal roofs. All roofs are made from 56% recycled materials and are designed to create three-dimensional ventilated air pockets that decrease heat absorption into your home. Our roofs can drastically cut your electric bill compared to non-reflective, non-ventilated asphalts and other materials.