Many homeowners worry that a metal roof will trap heat during the summer months. But is that true? In this article, we’ll explore how metal roofs actually impact your home's internal temperature and energy efficiency.
TL;DR – Does a Metal Roof Make Your House Hotter?
No, metal roofs do not make your home hotter. In fact, they often reflect more heat than asphalt shingles — especially when paired with proper ventilation (like ridge or gable vents) and insulation. While darker-colored metal (like black) can absorb more heat than lighter tones, white or light-colored metal roofs reflect the sun’s rays more effectively, helping keep homes cooler.
Key factors influencing temperature:
- Roof color (lighter = cooler)
- Material thermal mass (metal cools faster than asphalt)
- Ventilation & insulation quality
- Cool roof technology (optional upgrade for better efficiency)
Ultimately, a metal roof alone won't heat up your house — poor ventilation, air leaks, and inadequate insulation are usually the real culprits. For best results, consider a roof inspection and talk to a professional about your specific home’s setup.
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A quick google query will show the top results, all agreeing with each other that metal roofs do not make your home hotter. Metal is better, however, at reflecting heat than shingle roofs.
In another Cenvar Roofing blog post about metal roofing colors, we shared that "metal roofs have highly reflective properties in the materials which reflect the sun's rays".
Overall, metal roofs do not make your home hotter.
Roofing Ventilation Helps Cool the Home Down
There are two main types of metal roofing ventilation: Ridge vents and gable vents.
Adequate roof ventilation places a large part in how your roof and your home retain and get rid of heat.
If the roof is poorly constructed, any roofing material will cause your home to be hotter.
Check out this blog on the same topic of metal roofing and heat and how material and construction play into the heat factor.
Do Metal Roofs Absorb Heat?
Metal roofs in direct sunlight will absorb heat, but the same is true of asphalt shingles. It comes down to the weight of the roofing material and how fast the roofing material will cool off. Heavier roofing materials like slate or asphalt shingles will retain heat longer, making the cool-down process longer.
Does a Black Metal Roof Make Your House Hotter?
One common concern among homeowners considering metal roofs is whether a black metal roof would make their house hotter. The answer is that it depends on several factors. While metal roofs are generally known for their ability to reflect sunlight and keep a home cooler, a black metal roof may absorb more heat than a lighter-colored one, potentially raising the temperature inside the house. While metal is better at reflecting the sun’s heat than asphalt shingles are, black metal will absorb more heat than a white metal roof would. However, it's important to note that the type of metal used can also play a role in heat absorption. For example, some metals, such as copper, are known for their ability to conduct heat, which could impact the overall temperature of the house.
If you're considering a metal roof, we offer at least sixteen primary metal roofing colors, such as white, gray and brown metal roof colors.
The light colors would reflect the sun’s rays better than the darker ones.
It's important to consult with a professional at Cenvar Roofing to discuss your options and ensure that you make the best choice for your home's needs.
Check out this new construction light-colored metal roof in Charlottesville, VA.
Cenvar Roofing Metal Roof Colors
Lighter colored metal from Cenvar Roofing
- Polar White
- Light Stone
- Old Town Gray
- Ash Gray
- Saddle Tan
- Hawaiian Blue
Darker-colored metal
- Rustic Red
- Crimson Red
- Charcoal
- Cocoa Brown
- Gallery Blue
- Evergreen
- Black
- Burnished Slate
- Berry
- Ivy Green
Metal roofing myths
A common myth about metal roofing is that metal is hotter in the winter.
You can find other myths about metal roofing in this blog post.
What About in the Winter?
It stands to reason that if a metal roof can keep your home cooler in the summer, it would also keep it cooler in the winter. This gets into the thermal mass of metal.What is thermal mass? According to Wikipedia, Thermal Mass: "thermal mass is a property of the mass of a building which enables it to store heat, providing "inertia" against temperature fluctuations". Metal materials have a low thermal mass, meaning that metal roofing materials do not hold heat or cold very well. If you're' worried about retaining heat or cold, the better topic would be insulation. Another reason could be that holes or gaps in the windows allow air to sneak into the home. Weatherstripping the home can help in this area.
Does Metal Roofing on Houses Keep Your Home Cooler?
Metal roofing on houses can keep your home cooler, but generally, they cannot. Roofs are not made for keeping your home warm or cold. They're made to keep the weather out of your home. Roofs are the first line of defense against the weather! Air leaks and poor insulation could be why your home is hot during the summer, even when the AC is running. Having a home with mature trees to provide shade will significantly help prevent the house from becoming too hot. This could provide issues with branches and debris falling on the roof, but that could have a simple remedy: cutting off branches that overhang the roof. Generally, the roof itself isn't a significant factor in why your home becomes hot. Insulation and ventilation can become significant factors if you want to cool the house down when your air conditioning is running correctly. A simple attic inspection from a professional HVAC company or roofing company should be able to tell you if your attic is adequately vented. If your attic doesn't have proper ventilation, then heat could be trapped in your home, causing the heat to rise, leaving you to think that the roof is absorbing and retaining heat when it's' not.
Now, there are specific types of metal roofs that are specifically made to keep your home cool.
They are called "Cool Roofs" and you can learn more about cool roofs from Energy.gov. But the general metal roof would not produce a significant result in keeping your home cooler.
Conclusion on the Impact of Metal Roofing on Houses
If you want to focus on getting the most energy-efficient roof for your home, you'll want to keep these four items in mind.
- Roofing materials used.
- Roofing technology used.
- The color of the roof.
- Roof construction and ventilation.
Asphalt shingles do reflect heat, but metal is better at it.
A Cool Roof is an aspect of roofing technology that you'll pay more upfront for but could return the investment.
The lighter the color, such as a white metal roof, the better off you'll be at absorbing less heat. If you want more heat in colder climates, use a darker-colored roof, such as a black metal roof or brown metal roof.
If your roof is poorly built and vented, you'll experience more issues than your home becoming hot in the summer. Get a roof inspection and see what condition your roof is in. If you're considering a metal roof, it's important to consult with a professional at Cenvar Roofing near you in Virginia to discuss your options and ensure that you make the best choice for your home's needs.
FAQs About Metal Roofs
Q: Will a metal roof make my home hotter in summer?
No. In fact, metal roofs reflect more heat than asphalt shingles when properly ventilated and insulated.
Q: Are metal roofs energy efficient?
Yes, especially when coated with reflective paint and installed with adequate ventilation.
Q: What color metal roof is best for hot climates?
Lighter colors such as white, beige, or light gray reflect more sunlight and stay cooler.
Q: Do I need additional attic insulation with a metal roof?
It’s recommended. Proper insulation is essential to regulate indoor temperature.
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