Ahhhh summertime. When temperatures soar in summer, the heat can do a real number on your home. From UV fading on the patio decor to thriving plants, the sun affects your belongings in all sorts of ways. Little attention is given to how the sun affects your house, though.
We think about the expansion and contraction of things that we can see far more than those above eye level. Deck and fence boards may have larger gaps or twist and warp – those are all visible and noticeable. Roof decking and house sheathing may do the same thing, but in a hidden and more consequential way.
Roof
When roof decking expands and contracts, it can contribute to nails backing out, commonly called “nail pops” when they back out and “pop” through the shingle above it. This can create a water entry point. Expansion and contraction of volatile temperatures can also impact the roofing materials thermal cracking that shortens the life span of the roof.
The UV damage can make shingles age poorly, making them more brittle and prone to storm damage.
As discussed in our earlier blog post on ventilation, the buildup of heat in the attic can create all sorts of problems, including curling, cracking, and excessive granule loss.
What can you do to combat these effects?
- Color matters – Anyone who has ever walked on asphalt and concrete in bare feet knows that the darker the surface, the hotter it gets! Choosing lighter colors will keep more of the sunlight reflected than absorbed, making your roof (and house) cooler. Darker asphalt roofs can get to 150 degrees on a sunny day, according to the US Department of Energy.
- Balance your ventilation – get the cooler air in and the overheated, moist air OUT. The buildup of heat not only speeds up shingle deterioration, but it also creates a breeding ground for moisture-related problems in your attic. Mold and mildew thrive in high heat and humidity!
- Insulation counts! Having a high enough R-value insulation keeps the heat and cooling that your HVAC system produces inside the house.
Siding
Damage from Ultraviolet rays on the siding of your home can create a wide variety of challenges. The most noticeable damage is the fading and cracking of brittle siding. Darker colors of siding that have hit the market in recent years often have chemical additives in the vinyl to combat these issues, but the darker the color, the more heat will be absorbed. This can cause warping and will increase brittleness over time.
Direct sunlight can warp and fade siding, and in many cases, REFLECTED light can too. Technology has come a long way in its ability to reflect the UV rays that hit our windows, but where those reflected rays land … well, that may not have been considered as highly. In many neighborhoods, with houses closer together and new window technology reflecting and sometimes even concentrating UV rays on neighboring structures, the impacts on siding can be hefty. Simple fixes like exterior screens, foliage blockers, or even a window film that can scatter the reflected rays can be enough to minimize the damage potential.
If you need professional assistance with repairs or replacement of damaged roofing or siding, please call us at (502) 749-7663. We are happy to help with ideas to minimize repeat damage!