The torrid Indian summer sun beats down on the roofs of buildings, which heat up and radiate that heat into the homes that are immediately below the roof. This results in a considerable amount of heat gain in the upper floors of the building, making them uncomfortable, even unbearable, to live in.

1. The rise in indoor temperatures contributes to greater air conditioning requirements and higher electricity costs, and increased discomfort in areas that are not air conditioned, such as the kitchen and bathrooms.
2. Here are some techniques to drop the temperature by some degrees on your roof.1.
3. Grow a roof garden One of the best ways to keep the roof cool is by growing your own rooftop garden with green grass and potted plants.

The green roof shades the building from direct sunlight while the mud within the potted plants and the lawn absorbs most of the heat that hits the roof. Before going for a roof garden, make sure that the roof is properly waterproofed so as to prevent any type of water seepage through the external walls or roof slab, which may cause damage to the building.2.

Paint the concrete floor with cool roof paints. These paints provide good thermal insulation by reflecting the sun’s rays and keeping the indoors cool. Brands such as Dr Fixit have such products on offer.A cost-effective way to keep the roof cool throughout summer is by coating the floor with white lime wash, locally known as chuna, One drawback with using lime wash is that it gets washed away during the monsoon season, hence reapplication is required every summer.For a more permanent solution one can install white ceramic or porcelain tiles on the roof.

Find roof tiling experts near you 3. Add shade The roof slabs are made of concrete, which is a very dense material – it retains heat for a very long time and then transfers it to the indoors. The temperatures can be controlled by creating shade on the rooftop because shaded areas are cooler than the surroundings.

Go for high walls or trellises along the perimeter of the roof, like in the photo here; this is an interesting way to shade the roof. Introduce design features, such as pergolas with creepers, to create shade.

In this image, just see how a semi-permanent structure with canvas awnings in different shapes shades the rooftop. I love the way these awnings raise the aesthetic appeal of the terrace.

Tip: Another way to reduce roof temperature is by spreading bundles of damp straw or hay on a plastic sheet on the roof. Sprinkle water on the straw to cool the roof. Take a look at more roof designs 4. Go for heat-resistant flooring

Go for flooring materials such as wooden deck tiles or terracotta tiles that do not absorb or transfer as much heat to the lower floors and are comfortable to walk on even during the peak summers.Brands like Johnson Endura have introduced cool roof tiles that reflect most of the solar heat. These tiles work as an insulator that prevents heat from entering the top floor rooms.

5. Install solar panels Alternatively, one can cover the roof with solar panels. The solar panels comprise photovoltaic cells, and block the heat from hitting the roof, as in his example. Instead, these panels capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity.

How do you ventilate a warm roof?

Warm roof ventilation specification – For a simple duo-pitch roof, BS 5250 specifies sufficient ventilation as being: •25mm continuous opening at eaves level and a further continuous 5mm at ridge level. •If ridge or eaves ventilation is not possible by means of a dry fix system then ventilation tiles can be installed at evenly calculated intervals to achieve the required airflow under BS 5250.

Should warm roofs be vented?

What’s the more en ergy efficient option? – This answer also depends on climate. A vented roof will keep the attic cooler in the summer, but also cooler in the winter, preventing ice damming. To ensure the home remains efficient, it’s crucial to air seal the attic, making sure conditioned air isn’t mixing with outside air.

1. This can cause the HVAC system to work harder than it has to.
2. In most cases, an unvented attic will remain a similar temperature to the rest of the home.
3. Of course, this makes the type and R-value of insulation crucial, since the assembly depends on how well it functions.
4. The attic may become warmer during the summer as the insulation conducts heat into the attic.

During the winter, an unvented attic will remain warmer. But without ventilation, the chance for ice damming, mold, and moisture accumulation is higher. With an unvented roof, these damages are less easy to notice. for unvented roofing assemblies, but it serves a function in vented roofs, too. Whether you’re dealing with a vented or unvented roof, AccuVent has a product to meet your needs. Visit AccuVent’s to learn more. : Hot vs. Cold Roofing: A Guide to Attic Efficiency

Is it better to insulate the roof from inside or outside?

Flat roofs are best to insulate on the outside of the roof, which prevents heat loss and reduces energy consumption. By applying insulating material on top of the roof structure, you avoid the risk of moisture damage in the wooden structure. With interior insulation, this risk is greater for flat roofs.

Why is my roof so hot?

WHY IS MY UPSTAIRS OR ATTIC SO HOT? » Green Country Roofing Here’s another frequently asked question: “Why is my upstairs or attic so hot?” There can be many reasons for this. For instance, heat naturally rises, so it’s expected that it would be a bit hotter upstairs than downstairs.

1. Roofing Materials2. Bathroom Fans3. Insulation4. Ventilation

Roofing Materials —Is your roofing system a shingle roof? If it is, this can be part of the reason your upstairs is hot. Shingle roofs absorb the heat from the sun. Shingle surface temperatures can be 40-60 degrees hotter than the temperature outside. As the heat is absorbed, the attic warms up.

Solution— The next time your roof is replaced, consider upgrading to a shingle that reflects solar rays. For example, CertainTeed makes the Landmark Solaris shingle. This shingle actually has an energy-star rating. Who would have ever thought that a shingle would have an energy-star rating? We usually think of those as being reserved for dishwashers and refrigerators.

Bathroom Fans— Bathroom fans are used to expel the warm, humid air out of the bathroom and eventually out of the house. Not all houses have bathroom fans. In other homes, the fans don’t vent out of the house but blow the warm, humid air into the attic.

1. When this happens, there can be a build-up of warm, humid air.
2. This is obviously a problem and can definitely create heat issues upstairs.
3. Solution— Make sure all bathroom fans are vented outside of the house.
4. There are vents made specifically to connect with bathroom fans.
5. Bathroom fans can be either vented through the roof or on the side of the house.

Once the two are connected, all warm air and moisture will then be vented outside, thus limiting the amount of heat and moisture in the house. Insulation— Many of our customers avoid climbing on their roofs. The same sometimes goes for climbing into a dirty, dusty attic.

However, knowing how much insulation you have or don’t have will help determine why your attic is hot. Solution— Attic insulation is rated at an R-value. Depending on geographic location, the R-value that is needed can range from R-30—R-60. This range can vary, so checking the local building codes would be best.

The type of insulation used will determine how many inches of insulation would be required. Measure how much insulation you have. Subtract that number from how much is required by code. This should give you an idea if a lack of insulation is causing a heat issue in the attic.

1. Ventilation— Ventilation for a roof is probably the most important issue.
2. When your attic space is hot during the summer months, there’s no way for the heat to escape.
3. At best, it may cool off slowly and just slightly during the nighttime.
4. At worst, it will not cool off at all.
5. Roof ventilation requires both an intake and an exhaust.

Think of a car engine. It has an intake at the front, and an exhaust that goes out of the back of the car. If the engine does not have one or the other, that engine will fail. If your roof lacks an intake or an exhaust, it will fail as well, trapping excessive heat and diminishing the longevity of your roof.

1. Solution— There is a rule to follow in determining the amount of ventilation needed for your home.
2. This rule is called the 1/150th rule or the 1/300th rule.
3. Following this rule is important to meet building codes and shingle manufacturer’s specifications.
4. This rule affects how many roof vents or how much ridge vent is needed as well as the number of soffits or the amount of intake vents needed.

This rule is based upon how much attic floor space your home has. Since every home is different, it’s hard to speculate the amount needed for your home. Once this rule is calculated, it will specifically calculate the number of square inches for intake and exhaust needed.

At Green Country Roofing we calculate this formula on every house we work on. If your home doesn’t meet this rule, it could certainly be the reason that your upstairs is so hot. We hope that this information has helped bring some understanding as to why your attic or upstairs is so hot. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need further help.

: WHY IS MY UPSTAIRS OR ATTIC SO HOT? » Green Country Roofing