How to Reduce Heat on a Tin Roof by Coating It

You've probably heard the term "cat on a hot tin roof." What this refers to is the fact that tin absorbs heat and then transmits that heat to anything near it. So while tin can be an excellent roofing material when it comes to keeping the elements outside, tin roofs can become unbearably hot, and they can transmit that heat down into the building that they cover. One way to reduce the amount of heat that a tin roof absorbs is to coat the roof with a reflective material that radiates the sun's energy back into the air rather than absorbing it into the metal.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Clean the roof thoroughly. This may involve power washing or merely sweeping. Make any repairs that are necessary.

2. Roll on a thick coating of Roof Mastic or other highly reflective roof coating. Start at one end of your roof and work to the other end.

3. Allow the first coat to dry for 24 hours.

4. Roll on a second thick coating. Make certain the coating gets into every crack and covers the entire roof.

5. Allow the second coating to dry for 24 hours before walking on the roof. This should be sufficient to reduce the heat absorption from most tin roofs by as much as 83 percent.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't scrimp; put on two very thick coats of your roof coating.

References

• Details About Roof Mastic Coating