Tag Archives: heat

Wild Weather and Your Roof

The roof of your North Dallas home is one of the most critical parts of the structure of your house. Why? It protects you and your belongings from the outside elements like heat, wind, and rain. These elements are often part of the weather forecast in North Texas, so it is that your roof is in good repair. Find out how these elements can impact the health of your roof in this blog.

Heat. As Texans, we know that every year – for most of the year – we can expect high temperatures. But did you know that when the sun is blazing, your roof is at risk of wear and tear? Most people only think of roof damage as things that happen because of hail or wind, but the sun’s rays can also cause damage to your roof by causing roofing materials to swell, stretch, and dry out. These effects leave you at risk for leaks and losing shingles.

Rain. In addition to heat, some years we also get higher than average rainfalls. Rain can also damage your roof because cracks and gaps that develop because of high heat leave you at risk for leaks. Over time (and when we have excessive rain), this water can make its way into your home and cause damage to your roof, attic, ceiling, walls, and even your flooring if severe!

Wind. Did you know that despite Chicago being called “The Windy City,” Dallas is windier? We get a lot of wind in Texas, and at high speeds over prolonged periods, wind can cause damage to your roof by lifting shingles, damaging gutters, eroding roofing components, and causing branches from nearby trees to scrape against your roof – which means more potential for problems.

Hail. If you’ve been in Texas for any period, you probably cringe at the word. Hail can range from tiny pea-size to golf ball to even softball-size as we have seen in recent years. Hail travels at high speeds and hits your roof with a significant impact – leaving you with substantial issues. Hail can even penetrate your roof – leaving with you holes, leaks, and the risk of a roof collapse.

How has the weather impacted your North Texas home? Find out with a roofing inspection from a professional roofing company today.

Keep Your Cool with a Cool Roof

A roof can protect your home from the elements, such as the sun, wind, and rain, but do you know the right roof can also keep you cool? A particular kind of roof, known as a cool roof, is designed to keep you cool by reflecting more sunlight and absorbing less heat than a regular roof. Cool roofs are of great benefit to residents of Dallas, Plano, and other North Texas cities, where temperatures regularly climb into the triple-digits during the summer and stay warm well into fall.

How They Work: Cool roof components are made of lighter-colored, highly reflective materials, like tiles, shingles, paint, or overlay. These materials reflect the rays of the sun away from your roof, keeping your home up to 50 degrees cooler than a standard roof.

The Benefits:

  • Since the reflective materials of your cool roof direct the sun’s rays away from your home, this means that your air conditioner does not have to work as hard to cool your home.
  • An additional benefit is significant energy savings for you and your community. Not only will you see lower electricity bills, but choosing a cool roof also means that you can help reduce the higher demand for electricity in your area.
  • Deflecting the damaging rays of the sun can mean an extended lifespan for your roof because the sun’s wear on your shingles and other roofing components is reduced. Reduced wear means you may get more years out of your cool roof than a standard roof.
  • Cool roofs can also benefit other areas of your home that are not air-conditioned, like your garage, screened-in patio, or covered porch.
  • Cool roofs provide more significant environmental benefits for your community by reducing local air temperatures.

Are you interested in a cool roof? Contact a DFW roofing expert today!

Is a Black Roof a Bad Idea?

If you’re thinking about a new roof, you may be considering selecting a black asphalt shingle color to complement your home. Black roofs are gaining in popularity across Dallas and Plano because they look great and can upgrade your home’s curb appeal significantly. While black roofs have these perks, they also have some considerations you should be aware of before you select a black shingle. If you’re on the fence about choosing a black asphalt shingle, read on.

The Facts. Yes, it is true that black or other darker-colored shingles will make your attic and home hotter. A hotter home is a very valid concern for Dallas, Plano, and other North Texas homeowners because temperatures on your roof can climb well over 150 degrees in the summer.

Black and other dark colored shingles make your house hotter because they absorb heat and sun more readily than lighter colors. High temperatures, in turn, make your attic warm, which makes your air conditioner work harder keep you cool.

The Fix. While a black or darker-colored roof does increase temperatures, don’t be discouraged. You can still get the roof you want with a few extra measures.

One of the ways you can have your black roof without increasing the temperature in your home (and your electric bill) is to install additional insulation. This insulation blocks the heat absorbed by your dark roof from traveling into your home. Blocking heat keeps you cooler and your energy bills in check.

Another way to keep cool with a black or darker-colored roof is to make sure your attic has proper ventilation. Using the proper number of vents can help release hot air from your attic and help to cool your home. Scott Exteriors can assess your current attic ventilation to determine if you need more vents to accommodate a black or darker-colored shingle.

Do you have more questions about what color roof is right for you? Contact Scott Exteriors today.