Blog

Most often than not, the average person barely considers the roof when moving into a new house. We either check the number of windows, walls for dampness, basic amenities, or signs of unacceptable aging in the house. These are all great factors to consider.

However, in a humid country like Nigeria, there’s one factor we should also take into account and that is the roof. There are certain roofing factors that can determine the level of heat stored or reflected in a house. Let’s explore them.

1. Roofing material: Did you know an asphalt roof has the capacity to reflect about 30% of the light rays in your home. This shows that choosing the right roof material can directly impact the amount of heat stored in your home. For example a metal roof bounces or reflects off a high percentage  of sunlight that lands on your roof. What this means is that the temperature in your house will be even, everytime.
2. The color of your roof: You probably know that dark colored clothes absorb light and retain heat. This applies to roof colors. A study showed that plywood under dark colored roofs is about 10-15°F hotter than lighter plywood boards with lighter colored roofs. The lighter the color, whether in clothing or roofs, the more it reflects light and bounces off heat. 
4. Proper roof ventilation and construction: Perhaps most important is ensuring there’s adequate ventilation for heat to escape. Some  home owners achieve this by adding an attic to their building and ensuring good airflow to get rid of the heat and keep the house at a comfortable temperature.