Florida’s climate can quickly go to extremes, from high heat to heavy rains and wind. Your roof takes a beating. As the first line of defense against water and sun, it must be in top shape (pun intended) to withstand Florida summers.
How can you protect your roof in the meantime? Are there ways to keep your interior cool even if your roof feels like you could fry an egg on it?
Let’s look at our options for summer roof cooling, attic insulation, and what you can do in your yard to protect your roof during Florida’s hot weather.
How Hot Does a Roof Get in the Summer?
In Florida, direct sunlight can heat a roof up to 190 degrees! However, that depends on the material. Your typical black asphalt-shingle roof absorbs a lot of heat. While you may expect a metal roof to reach the highest temperature, it only feels hotter. That’s because metal partly reflects the sun’s rays. By bouncing them away, it somewhat reduces heat absorption.
| ROOF Material and Color | Roof Temperature on a Hot Day (90 degrees Fahrenheit) |
| Black roof | 140-190 |
| Aluminum reflective coated | Up to 68 degrees cooler than black roofs |
| Gravel | 125-140 |
| Unpainted metal | 138-145, but feels hotter to the touch than a black roof |
| Painted Metal (ex: BASF Cool Paint) | 105-115 or up to 42% cooler than unpainted metal |
| White | 102-120 |
The best option for summer roof cooling is painted metal, which is up to 42% cooler than unpainted metal. Better yet, white roofing materials reflect most of the sun’s rays. When you see a “cool roof,” it’s usually white to maximize this reflectance.
But why do these differences exist? And what can you do if your roof uses one of those hotter materials?
The Science of Summer Roof Temperature
Your roof’s temperature results from two properties: solar reflectance and thermal emittance.
The Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) describes how much the material can reflect the sun’s energy back into the atmosphere. Think of how wearing a white T-shirt helps keep you cool on a hot day.
Thermal emittance describes the amount of heat the material rejects instead of absorbs. Think of how oven mitts buffer your skin against a scorching pan.
Both are measured on a scale from 0 to 1 up to two decimal points. Higher scores mean cooler roofs. For example, asphalt roofs usually have an SRI of 0.21 to 0.30. Black membrane roofs are as low as 0.05-0.5, while “cool roof” materials are above 0.65.
So when it’s time to replace your roof, consider cool-roofing materials. Even changing the color to a lighter hue can help reduce your roof’s summer temperature. There are also UV-reflective coatings you can use on many different roofing materials. Read more about energy-efficient roofing options.
How to Keep Your Roof Cool in the Summer
Despite hot temperatures, summer can be a suitable time to replace your roof.. If you’re worried about tackling a 190-degree rooftop, fear not. We have some creative solutions:
Plant Shade Trees
Trees often get cleared away when homes and businesses are built. By adding more to your landscape, you can enjoy some natural shade and block some of the sun from hitting your roof. Here are some recommendations for shade trees that do well in Florida.
Tall hedges can help, too, especially if you can plant them on an elevated part of your landscape, where they can cast shadows onto your property.
Create your shade landscape along the southern and western edges of your property, which the sun tends to hit hardest.
TIP: Be sure to keep your trees trimmed and remove any dead or dying branches. This will help protect your roof, especially during heavy storms.
Check Your Attic Insulation
Insulation absorbs heat, preventing it from dissipating to other areas. As the sun’s rays hit your roof, the heat travels into the underlying materials — and your attic space. Insulation is crucial for trapping this heat, which helps keep your interior cooler. It’s typically measured in R-value, which describes how well it resists heat flow. The higher the number, the less likely heat is to escape from the material.
My Florida Home Energy recommends an attic insulation of at least R-38 for most Florida counties. The R-value depends on how thick the particular material is. Different materials achieve different R-values per inch of thickness.
Insulation does break down over time, so if it’s been a while, check to see if you need more. Materials such as blown-in insulation and reflective foil sheets are potential quick solutions. Reach out to our team for recommendations.
Install a Misting System
A misting system does exactly what it sounds like: it releases a cooling mist over your roof. As the water evaporates, it reduces temperatures by 40 to 60 degrees.
This system may be a little redundant during the rainy season, but it’s an option for dry, hot days.
Now that we’ve explored some options for cooling your roof, you’re ready to (somewhat) beat the summer heat. However, that’s not your only summer roofing concern.
Roofing Summer Tips: Prepare for Heavy Wind and Rain
Florida summers can swing between blazing sun and torrential downpours. Your roof needs to defend against both. While you can’t turn down the sun, you can take some steps to protect your roof from intense rain and heavy winds.
Check for Damage
Roofs collect a lot of moisture during Florida’s rainy season. That could be an issue if your roof has cracks or other damage. Trapped moisture can lead to further damage as materials swell — not to mention mold and mildew.
Depending on the type and age of roof you have, small repairs can help protect your roof and its underlying structure during the rainy months. You can then re-assess in the cooler months.
Clean Out Your Gutters
Any leaves or debris left from autumn could clog your gutters, which should be in optimal shape for the rainy season. If they’re full of debris, they can’t effectively drain water. This leads to several problems:
- Water can overflow and make its way into your roof deck, causing moisture damage.
- Water pools around the foundation, which can create cracks or mold issues.
- The weight of overfilled gutters can damage your roof’s edging and put extra strain on the overall structure.
Trim Your Trees
Trees are living things, and they can take serious damage during heavy storms. High winds can easily tear off weakened or dead branches. If these land on your roof, they may damage your shingles or add debris to your gutters. If you leave them up there, rotting branches invite moisture and pests to gather.
For both your roof’s and your personal safety (and your neighbors’), check all the trees around your property. Remove any dead or dying branches. Many trees benefit from regular pruning. If you’re uncertain, consult with an arborist or professional tree-trimming service.
Ready for Summer? So Are We.
Florida weather exposes our roofs to some extreme elements. By taking a few steps now to protect and cool your roof, you can enjoy greater comfort and safety this summer.
And if something breaks, Sentinel Roofing is here to help. Contact us for last-minute inspections and cool-roof solutions for your Florida property. You can also keep our number on hand for emergency roofing repairs: 352.789.4598.