Summer is coming – 8 quick ways a roofing system can help cool your Milton home!

A roof can help keep your Milton MA home cooler during summer in several effective ways:

1. Reflective Roofing Materials (Cool Roofs): These roofs are made with reflective materials or coatings (like white granules, membranes or reflective metal) that reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat, keeping homes/attics cooler. On large roofs they even can help reduce the “urban heat island’ growth. Think like a large warehouse etc. with a white/reflective roof.

2. Insulation: Proper roof insulation reduces heat transfer into the home, keeping the interior cooler even when the roof itself is hot.

3. Ventilation: Roof ventilation systems (like ridge vents, soffit vents, or attic fans) help expel hot air from the attic, preventing it from heating the rooms below.

4. Green Roofs: These roofs are partially or completely covered with vegetation, which provides natural insulation and reduces heat absorption. This is usually for large flat or commercial roofs.

5. Light-Colored Roofing: Light-colored shingles or tiles reflect more sunlight compared to dark materials, lowering the amount of heat the roof absorbs.

6. Radiant Barriers: Installed in attics, these barriers reflect radiant heat away from the living space, helping to maintain a cooler indoor environment.

7. Overhangs and Shade Structures: Roof overhangs can shade walls and windows, reducing solar heat gain.

8. Tile or Slate Roofs: Materials like clay or slate have natural thermal resistance and often allow air circulation beneath them, helping to dissipate heat.

With a little planning and proper budget use, you can cool your home a bit, and even make the neighborhood a bit cooler with a “cool’ roof!

Article contributed by Ferreira Exteriors Roofing Team