How to Choose the Best Roofing Material for the Phoenix, Arizona Heat

When thinking about your roof, you have to look into the material it should be made of. This is one of the major considerations to ensure its look and longevity. When living in hot areas like Arizona, you’d want to find the best materials made to withstand the heat!

With so many choices, people get confused learning how to choose the best roofing material for the Phoenix, Arizona heat.

This article will tackle the different types of tile materials available for roofs! That way, you can narrow down your options and select the one most suited for you and the house.

About Tile Roofing

Why are we focusing on tile roofing among the rest of the other materials available?

This is because this kind of roofing material provides the most functionality compared to the rest. They are fireproof and resistant to rot and most of the insects in Arizona. Plus, they are eco-friendly in these ways:

• Their long lifespan lessens the need to replace your roof often, so you don’t spend on materials and resources
• They are made of mineral-based materials
• Some tiles can reabsorb carbon dioxide emissions and minimize cooling and heating costs.

Not only can it withstand the Arizona sunlight and heat, but it looks great while doing it.

There are different kinds of tiles that offer various aesthetic options in terms of colors, designs, patterns, and more. Fortunately, these colors and patterns don’t fade, as the tiles can stand up to the stand pretty well. They can withstand fading for decades!

Speaking of withstanding fading for decades, did you know that tile roofs can last for up to 50 years? In fact, older homeowners have said tile roofs can last for up to 80 years!

While these roofs can last for a lifetime, remember that you’ll need to replace the underlayment every 25-35 years. You can reinstall and reuse any undamaged tiles after the underlayment replacement though, making the investment even more worthwhile.

Traditional tiles are made of clay, also coming in stone or porcelain. These are organic-based materials that can stand up to the heat well. They provide more insulation to roofs by keeping the sun’s rays away from the underlying parts of your roof.

While it might be a bit pricier than others, you get your money’s worth! You save a lot in the long run as the insulation features help with your energy bills.

How to Choose the Best Roofing Material

Now that you know more about tiles as excellent roofing materials, what are the different kinds of tiles?

Concrete Tiles

These are the most common tiles because of their durability and affordability. Concrete tiles prevent homes from overheating thanks to their dense material, which takes longer to heat up. For Phoenix, Arizona, it’s best to go for poured concrete slabs for the harsh weather and pesky animals!

Furthermore, concrete is strong enough to withstand other inclement weather like heavy winds and rains, as opposed to shingle roofing.

You can leave the poured slab alone or have it become a durable underlayer beneath other materials. These tiles are easy to install and dyed in different colors, with paler colors favored to improve energy efficiency.

However, be wary that lighter colors have a higher risk of cosmetic issues when they are exposed to the elements. They may require more upkeep compared to darker colors.

White Barrel S Tiles

You’re probably familiar with the terracotta barrel tiles and S-shaped tiles. However, there are even newer tiles coming in from the category. With composite materials made from either concrete or recycled plastic, white barrel S tiles are now growing popular.

These tiles can reflect around 74% of the sun away from your house and also increase air surface circulation well. The tiles also feature white pigments, decreasing heat buildup, as white colors won’t absorb heat compared to terracotta tiles. This will then reduce the amount of heat that enters the house, which helps keep it cooler indoors for longer.

White Flat Tile

When roof manufacturers combine technology and roofing materials, you get the white flat tile. These are alternative options for cooler roofs.

Before, the first tiles offered had cement and fiber tiles which worked efficiently. Newer tiles now use a combination of ceramic resins and special fiber, making the newer tiles lighter and more durable. These reflect more of the sun’s heat away from any house.

Because of the materials’ composition, you’ll experience lower heat absorption. However, you will need to clean them regularly, as they are white and require cleaning to keep them efficient. Doing this isn’t just for aesthetic purposes, but to allow reflectivity to stay constant during warmer times.

Slate Tile

Slate tiles would come in various tones, usually naturally cool ones. They are very popular among Spanish and Mediterranean houses since slate has natural properties to help reflect the sunlight. Furthermore, they are sought out since they require very little cosmetic maintenance. You can also recycle and repurpose these materials for other roofers to use.

Clay and Terracotta Tiles

For those who want lighter-colored roofs, clay and/or terracotta is the way to go. Lighter colors of clay tiles mean they won’t keep in as much heat, unlike darker-colored tiles and other materials.

While the natural clay color is lighter, you can also find new roofing designs that are treated to look like the traditional terracotta coloration. These designs still fight away fading from longer sun exposure.

Terracotta tiles are thoroughly baked and dense, similar to concrete. They are folded to a barrel or arched S shape to allow more space for better airflow throughout your roof.

For those who want sand-colored or warm rustic roofs to match Arzona’s desert landscape, choose terracotta tiles over slate.

Wrapping It Up

Hopefully, this article taught you more on how to choose the best roofing material for the Phoenix, Arizona heat! Take these tile materials into consideration as you make your final choice when having your roof repaired or maintained. If you are in need of services, you can contact us here at Stradling Roofing for a free estimate!