Roofing in Arizona! How long does a commercial roof last in Arizona?
Two seasons in Arizona
The running joke in Arizona is that we have two seasons here. One is hot, and the other is hotter. It can get down into the 30s here for a month or so. And honestly, our seasons are defined by the monsoon seasons we get, typically from June to September.
We can say we have monsoon and not monsoon season. But the sun always shines, reaching 120 F when it gets hot. That constant sunshine and heat can do an actual number of on your commercial roof.
What does the hot sun do to a commercial roof system
It gets hot in Arizona, and the sun is always shining. Exposing your commercial roof covering to ultraviolet light every day of the year. Over time materials will dry up, crack, split and eventually fail. Leaving you with a prematurely failed roof.
Additionally, the constant exposure to the sun and the heat from the sun can cost the owners or the occupants much money every year. That heat is absorbed into the roof, then gets inside the building. And must be removed by the air conditioning system. The sun can cause premature failure, accelerated deterioration, and raise energy costs over time.
Suppose your air conditioning system is working harder to remove the heat from your building. It will also fail you before its time. You are adding the unintended cost of replacing or repairing your air conditioning system. Which is certainly not covered in your roof warranty.
What can you do to protect your roof from the Arizona sun?
The best way to protect your roof from the hot sun in Arizona is to apply a reflective roof coating. Commercial roof coatings can be applied to the roof at any point during service, from the original installation to its restoration. But of course, not once the roof has failed and is saturated; at that point, your only option is a disruptive and expensive roof replacement.
Another key to protecting your commercial roof is to ensure that you have the proper ventilation system. Something that is far too often neglected in Arizona. The simple fact is that too many roofing contractors send out salespeople. Who don’t understand how a roof system works are looking for a commission. Improper ventilation is one of the most important things you can do to keep your roof alive and well for years.
How can your commercial roof save on energy use in the hottest times of the year?
Reflective coatings can help by reflecting away up to 98% of the light that contacts that roof. That keeps heat from being absorbed into the roof. The less heat absorbed into the roof, the less heat inside the building. That the air conditioning system must remove; keep in mind that if you work your air conditioning system harder, it will fail sooner. Conversely, if you work it less, it will provide you with service for a more extended period.
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