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Best Roofing Materials for Tropical Climates
If you live in the tropics and enjoy those balmy summer days and warm tropical nights then like many Australian’s you are living a fantastic lifestyle. But, with this lifestyle you are going to need the proper type of roofing that can survive those harsh tropical down pours and those hot steamy days. So following are our picks of the best types of roofs to have if you live in the tropics.
Without doubt, slate is one of the best roofing materials to use in a tropical climate for many reasons. Slate is durable, will last a lifetime and once installed you can rest easy that you will be safe from rain storms, heavy winds and the harsh climate. Plus slate looks absolutely fabulous on your roof and once installed will instantly add value to your house. The really good thing about installing a slate tile is that slate comes in a variety of colours, from greys to earth tones, which is perfect for most styles of homes. A light grey or earth tone will reflect heat, which is what you want to save money. Slate tiles should be professionally installed by slate roofing specialists who know how to install them in a tropical climate where heavy winds, rain and outdoor elements are an issue.
Metallic roofs are not a bad option for the tropics as light coloured metallic roofs can reflect up to 70% of the suns rays saving you on air conditioning bills. Go for a light coloured or white roof if you can and if it matches the style of your house. If you’re willing to spend a bit of money on top quality metallic roofing it is worth it in the long run.
Concrete roofing is a great choice as it’s sturdy, especially in tropical cyclones or large storms. Concrete also reflects up to 75 percent of the sun’s energy away from the roof, again saving you all those energy bills to cool down the place.
If you’re into the tile look, then you can also install concrete tiles that look like terracotta tiles but with sturdier properties. The downside to having a concrete roof is that it does require maintenance and you will have to have them high pressure cleaned once every couple of years.
Terracotta tiles are a favourite among many Australian households and are a great way to protect your house from the harsh tropical north. ‘S’ shaped terracotta tiles allow air to circulate, which helps prevent heat capture and is perfect for those that hate to receive nasty electricity bills.
Ceramic roof tiles are lighter than terracotta or concrete and are perfect for a tropical climate. Try the white ceramics as they will deflect a lot of the suns energy saving you on power bills. For choice and range of colours ceramic tiles are a great options as they come in a variety of shapes and in dozens of colours, including tiles that have that aged appearance.
Contact First Class Slate Roofing today on 0406 845 612 to further discuss your roofing options, obligation free!