What’s the Best Style of Roofing for Phoenix, Arizona?
Phoenix, Arizona is known for many things, such as extreme heat. But Phoenix isn’t only a hot area; monsoon seasons would attack the area, putting strain on your houses, namely the roofs!
The extreme heat can cause roofing materials to break down, while intense monsoons may blow through roofs, tearing shingles or dropping branches. That’s why it’s crucial to invest in the best roofing materials for both style and functionality.
But what is the best style of roofing for Phoenix, Arizona? Read on to find out!
What’s the Best Style of Roofing for Phoenix, Arizona?
Arizona’s temperature changes pose a challenge for houses and buildings, which is why you’ll want to select a roof that can handle the intensities of all kinds of weather. We enumerate the best roofing materials and styles that work for Phoenix, Arizona:
Tile Roofs
Tile roofs are the most functional among the other roofing systems we’ll mention here. This kind of roof looks attractive with various design options and can withstand the heat of the Arizona sun. It’s also highly durable, with tile roofs lasting over 50 years if installed and taken care of properly!
Traditional tile roofs are made of clay, though they can also come in porcelain or stone. These are organic-based materials that can stand up to the heat while providing more insulation to your roof by keeping the sun rays away from the underlying roof.
You will need to pay a bit more for tile roofs, but it saves you more in the long run, particularly with your energy bills.
Besides that, tile offers excellent aesthetics with many colors, designs, and patterns to choose from, far more than other roofing systems. Furthermore, the colors are already mixed into the roof materials, so they stand up well to the heat without the considerable risk of fading, compared to shingles.
However, note that tiles are heavy, so your current roof needs to hold the weight well. We recommend asking an architect and engineer to inspect the roof first to ensure a roofing company can install the tile. Also, tiles don’t do well when walked on, though they withstand all kinds of weather.
There are different tile roofs, such as slate, wood shake, and concrete tiles.
- Concrete tiles are durable and relatively inexpensive. It prevents the house from overheating since it’s a dense material, taking a long time to heat up. Plus, concrete has the strength to withstand harsh weather conditions and pesky animals, surviving heavy winds and rains.
- White barrel S-tiles are made of composite materials, either recycled plastic or concrete. These materials reflect up to 74% of the sun away from the roof, while the S shape increases air surface circulation. Plus, the white pigments decrease heat build-up by up to 40%!
- White flat tiles combine materials and technology, resulting in a cooler roof. These new tiles are made of special fiber and ceramic resins, so they are lighter and more durable, reflecting up to 77% of the sun’s heat from your home! Furthermore, these tiles have lower heat absorption and consistent reflectivity during warmer days, provided you clean these white tiles regularly.
- Slate tiles come in beautiful cool tones, a prevalent choice among Spanish and Mediterranean houses since it has natural properties reflecting sunlight. These tiles require minimal cosmetic maintenance needs, and you can recycle and repurpose them for others to use in the future.
Clay and Terracotta Tiles
Clay roofing with light colors doesn’t keep in as much heat as darker versions. Natural clay colors are light, though newer roofing designs were treated to copy the coloration and fade-fighting traditional terracotta materials.
Terracotta tiles are baked and dense, similar to concrete, traditionally folded into a barrel or arched S shape. This allows more space for airflow throughout your roof.
If you are looking for a sand-colored or warm rusty color for your roof, complementing the Arizona landscape, you might want clay and terracotta over slate roofs.
Metal or White Metal Roofs
While metal roofing isn’t a popular option because of its shininess, it’s actually great in reflecting light. You can even opt for white metal or the usual silver tones.
We recommend white metal roofing, which cools quickly and has lower maintenance needs. Many white metal roofing systems arrive pre-treated, which prevents corrosion and oxidation.
With white metal, it’s coated with temperature-resistant paint that can reflect up to 66% of the sun’s energy. Since metal is made of recycled steel, there are companies producing copper and aluminum roofs.
As for energy savings, durability increases while maintenance needs decrease. The only thing you need to do is clean your rood regularly to remove dirt build-up. Dirt reduces metal tile’s reflectivity levels while making it appear dirty.
Furthermore, many kinds of metal roofing materials, like copper, steel, and aluminum, are readily available and cheaper than slate or terracotta roofing. That said, it costs around 20-30% more than the traditional tiled roofs.
You will need to be wary when choosing this kind of roofing, though, because sloped metal roofs produce a lot of shine with their high reflective abilities. Because of that, drivers and neighbors may not appreciate all that glare.
Shingle Roofing
Shingle roofing is a standard roofing system you find in Phoenix, which is cheaper than tiles. It also has lower maintenance costs.
This roofing material is made of asphalt or fiberglass, coming in various colors and styles to fit any home. The best part is that shingle roofs have a long lifespan, lasting for 25 years on average. It can withstand high winds and extreme heat, providing adequate protection from the Arizona weather.
Wrapping It Up
Hopefully, you found the best style of roofing for Phoenix, Arizona! Once you’ve narrowed down your options and selected the suitable roofing material for the house, hire the right roofing contractor to meet your needs now. Contact us at Stradling Roofing for any repair, installation, and maintenance inquiries and get a free inspection.