Winters in Mansfield can be very frigid. During the cold months, homeowners strive to do everything they can to keep their homes warm while using the least amount of energy. As a result, one of the questions we get asked frequently is whether a metal roof makes the inside of the home colder during the winter.
The Roof Has Layers
Any roofing material, be it metal, asphalt, slate, or tile, is not insulated enough to protect your home from the cold or heat. In general, what is underneath the outer roofing material is much more important to your HVAC system’s ability to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home than the outer shell.
Underneath the outmost layer is the roof decking. The decking is the solid surface that provides the base to which everything else is attached. The roof decking is usually plywood or OSB sheets. Underneath the decking is a layer of insulation typically installed between the rafters in your attic.
Proper insulation slows heat transfer between the outside world and your living space, creating a cooler home in summer and a warmer one in winter.
If your attic is adequately insulated and properly ventilated, the roofing material will not make that big of a difference in the temperature inside the house. Even though the metal roofing on the top of your house will be cold to the touch during the winter, it won’t make a difference to the temperature inside your home.
Insulation Before Installing a Metal Roof
At All American Roof Pros, we can take several steps that could help your metal roof keep your home at a comfortable temperature in winter while decreasing your monthly utility bills. For example, we can add a layer of rigid foam insulation on top of the roof’s decking when installing the new roof. We can also assess the insulation in your attic and make recommendations. These steps can provide additional heat transfer protection between outdoor conditions and the temperature inside your home.
Isn’t Metal More Susceptible to Heat Transerfer Than Other Materials?
Theoretically, that idea makes sense because metal is a phenomenal thermal conductor. As a thermal conductor, it quickly releases heat energy to keep the same temperature as the surrounding area.
Some homeowners worry that the heat they use in their homes during the winter will transfer through the metal roof to the cold air outside. And even though they know that there are several layers between the inside of their home in the metal on the outside, they still worry that metal is less energy efficient. However, the truth is just the opposite.
Metal roofs don’t release a substantial amount of heat from a home to the outdoors. Several studies have been done by the US Department of Energy comparing the temperature of metal roofs to those of asphalt roofs during the winter. And although you would think there would be a significant difference, the results showed that the temperatures were within 5° or -5° of each other.
Researchers also tested the sheathing beneath the roof and the temperature of the attic space below it. Over three nights, the airspace beneath the metal roof was at least 20° warmer than below the asphalt roof. They found that asphalt shingles lose a lot of heat during the night, even though they absorb some heat during the day. The energy loss was significantly less with a metal roof than with asphalt shingles.
Other Advantages Of Metal Roofing
No matter the roofing material, its function is to protect your home from the elements, including rain, wind, and snow. When a house has shingle roofing, the snow and ice tend to pile up on the roof and weigh it down. On the other hand, metal roofs shed snow more quickly than most other roofing materials.
This is because they have a relatively smooth top surface. In addition, when the sun does appear on winter days, heat from the sun passes through the snow load and causes snow and ice to slide off. Another advantage of metal roofs is that they can sustain gusts up to 40 mph and will not corrode or crack.
Roofing Pros Serving Northern Ohio
At All American Roof Pros, located in Mansfield, OH our experts have decades of experience in the roofing industry. We are a small family-owned roofing company that is proud to have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
At All American Roof Pros, our services include roofing installation,repair, inspection, and maintenance. We offer residential and commercial roofing, provide gutter repairs, and offer insurance claims assistance. Contact All American Roof Pros today, and see why we can confidently say that the roof we install for you will be the last one you ever need!