Staying cool during the hot summer doesn’t have to be a challenge. Using the right materials for your roof, floors, and walls, you can keep your home cooler and more comfortable without breaking the bank. Here are some of the best options to consider.
Roofing
One of the most important decisions you’ll make to keep your home cool is the material you use for your roof. Metal roofs reflect heat into the atmosphere, making them one of the most effective choices for beating the heat. If you’re not ready for a complete roof replacement, consider installing a metal roof over your existing one. This will still reflect heat but won’t be as expensive as a complete replacement.
You can also consider white or light-colored shingles. These absorb less heat than darker colors, so your home will stay cooler. If you’re not ready to replace your entire roof, you can install white or light-colored shingles over the existing ones. This will help reflect heat and also make your home more energy-efficient.
Another option is the insulated roof. Roof insulation is available in several materials, including foam, fiberglass, and cellulose. They’re intended to keep heat out of your house so you can save money on your energy bills. Insulated roof panels effectively control the heat in the summer and the cold in the winter.
By installing these panels, you can keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. You can choose pre-fabricated panels or special segments for cost-effective roofing panels. In addition to temperature regulation, these installed parts also help reduce noise from outside sources, making your dwelling more peaceful.
Floors
The type of flooring in your home can also make a difference in how comfortable it is during the summer months. Carpeting holds onto heat and can make a room feel stuffy and uncomfortable. Hardwood floors don’t hold heat as much as carpet, making them a good choice for summertime comfort. However, they can be expensive to install. If you’re on a budget, laminate wood floors are a good alternative. They look like hardwood but are much more affordable.
If you’re looking for a material with high thermal conductivity, opt for stone. It helps to quickly transfer heat between itself and another mass. So, when your hot feet touch a stone floor in the summer, they will feel cool to the touch. When your feet are cold in the wintertime, walking on them will be much more comfortable than on other surfaces. Plus, the stone is easy to take care of and keep clean!
A great alternative is laminate, which is more durable than wood and has unique cooling and heating qualities. Laminate absorbs heat better than carpet because of its composition, which means it can distribute heat more effectively than carpet. On hot days, it’s cool to the touch in a properly insulated house.
Walls
The color of your walls can also affect how comfortable your home is in hot weather. Dark colors absorb heat, while light colors reflect it into the room. If you’re repainting your walls for summer, choose light colors like white or pale yellow. These will help keep your home cooler and make it feel brighter and more cheerful.
You can choose to paint everything one color or use a two-tone scheme. For example, you could paint the bottom half of your walls white and the top half light blue. This will help reflect heat away from your home and provide a pop of color.
If you’re not ready to repaint your entire house, consider using removable wall decals. These come in various colors and patterns and can be easily removed when you’re ready to change them. They’re a great way to add a splash of color to your walls without making a permanent change. White is another popular option. It reflects warmth and invites as much light into the space as possible.
Other colors to pick from are:
- Pale yellows have a cheerful vibe.
- Light blues, which are calming.
- Greens, which are cooling and refreshing.
Windows
Your windows greatly affect how comfortable your home is in hot weather. If possible, invest in energy-efficient windows. These will help keep the heat out in the summer and the cold in during the winter. They’re made with a special glass type with a low-emissivity coating. This helps reflect heat into the room, keeping it cooler in the summer.
There are still ways to keep your home cooler if you can’t afford energy-efficient windows. Hang blackout curtains over your windows to keep the sun from shining in. This will also help you save on energy costs by keeping the AC from running as much. You can also use blinds or shades to block out the sun.
Consider installing awnings over your windows as well. These can provide shade and protection from the sun, keeping your home cooler. They come in a variety of colors and styles to match any home.
So, Are You Ready to Beat the Heat?
There’s no need to suffer through the summer heatwave—not when there are so many options for keeping your home cool and comfortable. You can beat the heat without breaking the bank by choosing the right materials for your roof, floors, and walls. So don’t sweat during summer— literally!