The right roofing material is critically important for the safety of your loved ones’ lives and your valuable assets. The importance of the right roofing is even greater now due to the rapid change in climate. Depending on the location you are living in, you might encounter soaring heat, extreme winds, or heavy rain. In Ottawa, you may experience long, hot, and humid weather and a bitter snowy winter.
To tackle the consequences of adverse weather, a homeowner needs to decide on different aspects of the roofing material, such as insulation and longevity, and a provider like londonecometal.com in the Ontario area. Not all roofing materials are suitable for all climates. Every roofing material comes with its pros and cons. A homeowner should make sure it best suits the climate, even if it costs some more money to him.
Apart from that, your choice of roofing material can be impacted by your requirement to set up solar panels, air conditioning, and rainwater harvesting. Considering all these, the right choice for roofing material can save you from regular maintenance costs and high energy costs and minimize colossal damage sometimes. The below discussion may favor you in choosing the best roofing material for your climate –
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Your roof gets direct exposure to the climate. How well the roofing material will perform and how long it will last depends on the climate zone and weather conditions. In a country, there might be several climate zones with varied amounts of temperature, humidity, and precipitation. You can’t really rely on the general climate perception of your country but know the areawise climate condition when deciding on the roofing material.
One material that works well in hot and dry weather will not do the same in hot and humid conditions. On the other hand, totally different materials are needed for temperate weather conditions. You also need to consider if your living area is prone to natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, etc. In a high-temperature area, heat from sunlight can cause roofing material to break down. Also, if the material absorbs heat and transfers inside, it will make your life difficult and increase the cost of energy. The other way around, accumulated snow and ice can also damage your roof in a temperate area. If the material is not heavy enough, it will not hold up to strong winds if you are living in a windy area or a place prone to storms.
Right Roofing Material for Arid (Hot and Dry) Climate
With the rise of global warming, regions around the world are facing extreme weather events and long-term above-average heat throughout the year. A properly made home safeguards you during the brutal heatwaves, and your roof bears the brunt most. A roof made of low-quality materials gets degraded quickly, has cracked, and breaks down over time. The damaged roof makes the house hot by transferring heat inside and through the surface, which subsequently causes high energy costs for cooling the living place.
On the other hand, roofing materials that are constructed purposely for warm weather withstand brutal heat. Some of them facilitate ventilation and airflow. Additionally, some make thermal transfer difficult and reflect sunlight off, which helps to keep the home cool. Some of the roofing material options for hot climates are Metal Roofing, Clay Tiles, Geen or Living Roofs, Concrete Tiles, etc. Metal Roofing may not seem suitable due to the misconception that a metal roof will make the home unbearably hot, but this is not true. The metal and steel roofing comes with some very special features that actually combat heat and facilitate protection against increased temperature. Metal reflects sunlight and heat with a specialist finish and is colored with white.
Right Roofing Material for Tropical (Hot and Humid Climate)
If you are living in a hot and humid weather condition, you need to pay special attention to the material you are constructing your roof with. Humidity can cause some expansion and contraction of your roof and lead to faster wear and tear. If you use wooden roofing, humidity can cause damage to it with mold and mildew growth. It can also cause water damage and put your roof at risk for termite infestations. Further, it can hamper air circulation, increasing the level of moisture.
Among many roofing options, slate tiles and metal roofing come with features to regulate humidity. Slate tiles’ natural breathability helps to maintain a comfortable temperature inside the home. Metal roofing is getting popular not only for its durability but also for the ventilation properties that lower the humidity level. The ultra-violet rays from the sun get reflected from metal roofing and keep the heat out of the home.
Right Roofing Material for Temperate (Cool) Climate
Cold climate comes with very different challenges for a house roof than hot, dry, and humid weather. It exposes the roof to heavy snow, blistering wind, ice dams, and other elements of the environment. When you are buying roof material to face these adverse weather events, make sure it can stand up and resist damage. Metal roofing holds up very well in harsh winter weather events. It gets the snow and ice to slide off and prevent them from forming ice dams. This roofing is more durable than others and able to resist damage caused by windstorms. Slate roofing is also a good option for cold weather, with superior insulation and enough strength to face blizzard-like conditions.
Conclusion:
Different weather condition comes with a variety of challenges. When deciding on buying roofing material, it’s critically important to know specific weather conditions first and then the material’s capacity to tackle the challenges. Some roofs are suitable for a specific climate, but metal roofing is perfectly fitted in all weather conditions, be it hot, humid, dry, or cold.
