6 Best Roofing Materials for Southern California

Hot summers are great for recreational activities and trips to the beach, but they can really cause a spike in utility bills and energy usage. Warmer climates require homeowners to make some small adjustments to compensate for the higher temperatures without sacrificing comfort or style. Having the wrong type of roofing for the climate can be a major factor in high energy bills. There are some easy ways to combat the situation, and the most important one is the choice of hot climate roofing materials.

Slate Tile

Light and earthy tile colors are naturally reflective, durable and do not require much regular maintenance. However, they are also very heavy, delicate and relatively expensive compared to other options. Transportation and installation costs are high, even when local or salvaged materials are used. Being the best roofing for hot climates, slate tiles are especially popular in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Spanish architecture. Slate tile is also one of the most expensive hot climate roofing choices, especially in areas where slate is not a readily available natural resource.

Clay and Terracotta

Traditional structures were roofed with clay and other earthen materials, which are natural heat reflectors. Modern terracotta is one of the best roofing material for hot climates such as Southern California and can be treated with special paints that make them resemble expensive slate tiles or ancient terracotta styles. Such treatments also help with weatherproofing and increased reflectivity efforts. These heavy clay roofing styles require a solid structure and are often curved into an ‘S’ shaped mold that helps the pieces interlock across the roof, especially intricate architectural styles. Although often used on stucco and other homes throughout San Diego, the tiles are susceptible to snapping during cold, wet climates. Proper construction allows for space under the tiles for air and water to escape, avoiding this problem as well as keeping the roofing temperature cool.

Concrete Tile

Like the other stone roofing materials for hot climates mentioned, concrete tile is heavy and has a natural ability to reflect ultraviolet rays that tend to raise the roofing temperature and allow excess heat to pass through the roof into the structure below. Concrete tile is an economical middle ground with pricing generally falling somewhere between traditional asphalt shingles and more expensive slate or terra cotta. Concrete is especially inexpensive when large batches produced, making it an excellent choice for industrial areas and developing areas where mass public housing is being created at once.

Concrete tile is much more pliable and easy to work with than pourable concrete. It is also easier to color making this cool roofing a popular favorite for industrial areas throughout San Diego. Little treatment is needed to maintain this hot climate roofing material as the imporous composition does not allow moisture to penetrate the underlying structure. The baking process which binds the sand, cement and water allows concrete to withstand the harshest weather elements.

Rubber or Plastic Membrane

The inspiration behind synthetic rubber and thermoplastic roofing materials for hot climates is a relatively simple solution to an age old problem. Raincoats, car covers and umbrellas all have properties that both repel water and quickly whisk away any water droplets that are left behind. The synthetic rubber is actually ethylene propylene diene monomer, or EPDM. It has been used extensively in commercial and retail centers in Southern California because it is very durable and effective in reflecting sun rays, which makes it one of the best commercial roofing materials for hot climates.

Thermoplastic and EPDM materials are both pliable and essentially weatherproof, meaning they are a practical choice for practically any style roof. They are so reflective that very little ultraviolet energy is absorbed into the home or building. In many cases, these materials are used as a foundation layer for other types of energy efficient and cool roofing options. Because they are easily applied and the core materials are not expensive, the installation cost of these roofing materials for hot climates is fairly low in San Diego.

White Barrel ‘S’ Tile

These tiles are made from a concrete composite and are a low cost solution to maintain a low roofing temperature even in the warmest of climates. Molded into half barrel, ‘S’ shapes, these white tiles are made in a fashion that imitates terracotta patterns and designs. They are also installed in much the same as molded clay and terracotta roofing options and are able to reflect about 40% more ultraviolet rays than their terracotta and clay counterparts. They can be formed and installed within a few days and have excellent reflective qualities that make them excellent hot climate roofing options for residential and business use.

White Flat Tile

As with the white barrel ‘S’ tiles, slate and concrete tiles, white flat tile cool roofing can be colored to suit the owner. White flat tiles are lightweight compared to their stone and concrete counterparts but are just as effective in keeping roofing temperatures moderate in warm climates. They are generally constructed of ceramic, cement and elastomeric material composites. Since white flat tiles are able to reflect more than 75% of the ultraviolet rays from the sun, they are one of the best roofing materials for hot climates.

One minor drawback to the reflective white tile is that it requires regular cleaning as part of a maintenance program. The more porous stone and concrete options hide dirt and grime better than the smooth white tiles. The periodic cleaning cost is a small price to pay compared to the energy savings that can be discovered for homeowners as well as commercial development companies.

Want help making the best roofing materials choice for your home or business, we can help. Have Roofing Specialists of San Diego out to perform a free no obligation estimate and consultation for your upcoming roofing project.