In the middle of July, when the Mesa temperature hits 115°F, your air conditioner is fighting a war. But while you might blame the old AC unit or the drafty windows, the real enemy is often right above your head.
Your roof is a giant solar collector. A standard dark shingle roof can reach surface temperatures of over 160°F on a summer afternoon. That heat doesn’t just stay on the roof; it radiates down into your attic, turning it into a superheated oven that forces your AC to run non-stop just to keep up.
At Copper Sky Roofing, we specialize in “Energy Efficient Roofing Systems.” We don’t just block rain; we block heat. Here is how modern roofing technology can lower your utility bills and make your home livable again.
What is a “Cool Roof”?
A “Cool Roof” isn’t necessarily white. It is any roofing system designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than a standard roof. We measure this using SRI (Solar Reflectance Index). The higher the number, the cooler the roof.
The Science: Reflectance vs. Emittance
- Solar Reflectance: The ability to bounce sunlight back into the atmosphere (like a mirror).
- Thermal Emittance: The ability to release absorbed heat quickly (cooling down fast once the sun sets).
In the past, you had to have a white flat roof or white tiles to get these benefits. Today, technology has changed the game.
Cool Shingles: Changing the Game
For years, homeowners who wanted asphalt shingles had to accept that their roofs would be hot, especially if they chose popular colors like brown or gray.
That has changed with the introduction of “Cool Shingles.” These look like traditional architectural shingles but are engineered with specially coated granules that reflect invisible infrared energy.2
We are proud to install high-performance systems that utilize this technology. Modern shingles, like the Owens Corning Duration® COOL Series, utilize specially reflective granules that bounce solar energy back into the atmosphere rather than absorbing it into your attic. This allows you to have a rich, dark-colored roof that still meets the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) standards for energy efficiency.
The Unsung Hero: Ventilation
You can have the most reflective roof in the world, but if your attic traps heat, your energy bills will still be high.
A balanced ventilation system is the lungs of your home. It requires two parts:
- Intake (The Inhale): Soffit vents that pull fresh, cooler air in from the bottom eaves.3
- Exhaust (The Exhale): Ridge vents or O-Hagin vents near the peak that let hot air escape.4
Many older homes in Mesa have blocked soffits or insufficient exhaust vents. At Copper Sky Roofing, we calculate the exact Net Free Area (NFA) required for your specific attic size to ensure a constant airflow that sweeps heat out before it can radiate into your living room.
Flat Roofs: The Ultimate Cool Factor
If your home has a flat foam roof (common on Mesa patios and additions), you have the potential for the highest efficiency of all.
- Polyurethane Foam: This material is an incredible insulator (like the foam in a cooler).5
- Elastomeric Coating: The white, rubberized top coat reflects up to 85% of solar rays.
- The Result: The surface remains near ambient temperature, and almost no heat transfers into the room below.
Invest in Efficiency, Save on Utilities
Stop paying the electric company to cool down your attic. By upgrading to a Cool Roof system with proper ventilation, you are investing in a permanent reduction of your monthly overhead.
Is your roof helping you or hurting you?
If your AC never seems to turn off, call Copper Sky Roofing at +1 480-410-4169. Let us perform an attic heat analysis and show you how a modern roofing system can pay for itself in energy savings.