How Much Hotter Is It On A Roof

Roof pitch is the measurement of a roof s vertical rise divided by its horizontal run.

How much hotter is it on a roof.

In warm moist locations cool roof surfaces can be more susceptible to algae or mold growth than hot roofs. Roof pitch or slope is a measure of vertical rise to horizontal run expressed in inches per foot. A federal study has shown that the plywood under dark roofs in direct sunlight is consistently 10 to 15 f hotter than the plywood boards under light colored roofs. However the color of your roof could make a difference to things like energy bills and how much heating the rest of your home needs.

Taking advantage of this natural process referred to as passive ventilation is the most common way to vent an attic. A roof with a 6 rise for every 12 run has a 6 per foot or 6 in 12 pitch. The hotter an attic is the more expensive it is to cool the upstairs of a home. Some roof coatings include special chemicals that prevent mold or algae growth for a few years.

A dark roof won t necessarily get that hot if you don t live somewhere that gets a lot of heat in the first place. It s definitely something to consider when re roofing and in a new construction project and you might be able to take steps to cool things down on the roof you already have. Plus new coating technologies are being developed all the time. How hot your roof really gets in the summer is a variable you have some control over.

Color of your roof as you ve probably heard from many the color of your roof does affect how much heat is absorbed into your attic. Hot air exhaust vents located at the peak of the roof allow hot air to escape. In the united states a run of 12 inches 1 foot is used and pitch is measured as the rise of the roof over 12 inches. In cold climates roofs can accumulate moisture through condensation and it is possible that cool roofs might be more susceptible to.

Traditional roofs employing asphalt shingles vented attics and insulation on the floor of the attic can get extremely hot with surface roofing temperatures reaching up to 190 f during the summer. The roof pitch is important in determining the appropriate installation method and how much roofing material will be needed. Yes black will be hotter.