Does Aluminum Roofing Hold Heat?

Aluminum roofing

• Aluminum roofing may be composed of solid sheets of aluminum, of overlapping aluminum shingles or of small pieces of aluminum embedded into another material. The reflective metal reflects UV rays and heat, preventing heat absorption. Other roofing materials, including steel roofing, absorb heat. Due to its ability to reduce cooling costs, aluminum roofing is being retrofitted onto some buildings.

Other Roofing

• Many conventional and alternative roofing materials trap heat. Asphalt shingles, which are a commonly used roofing material in traditional housing, retain heat and dry out in the sun. Corrugated steel roofing or shingles also retain heat. These kinds of materials soak in the sun and trap heat until the sun goes down, releasing it slowly overnight. They deteriorate in response to heat and UV rays and are not as resilient as reflective aluminum roofing.

Benefits of Aluminum Roofing

• Due to its resilience to heat and sunlight, and its noncorrosive properties, aluminum is a durable roofing material. It does not crack, rot or rust. The United States could save 50 billion kWh of energy is half the asphalt roofs in the United States were made of aluminum, according to the U.S. Department of Energy and the Aluminum Association. This savings is due to heat being reflected away from homes, reducing the need for energy-hungry air conditioners.

Types of Aluminum Roofs

• You can choose from a variety of types of aluminum roofs. Aluminum shake roofs are made to look like wood shake roofing. Another option is to apply aluminum chips directly to an existing asphalt roof. Aluminum shingles look similar to asphalt shingles, and you can apply them over an existing roof in most cases. You can also use aluminum corrugated sheets as a more cost-efficient option for the roofing.