7 ways to keep your metal building cool during the summer heat

Apr 26

Greenville can get scorching in summer if you're like us. Because it can dramatically impact the temperature inside your metal building, you must take this into consideration when designing. Also, this energy bill can be a result of your HVAC system working harder and longer to maintain the desired indoor temperature.

There are many ways to cool down your metal building. These include insulation and landscaping. We will go over each option and how it cools your building. These tips will keep your comfort high while improving air quality and energy consumption.

Let's begin by reviewing some fundamental science concepts in order to understand why buildings become so hot during summer.

Thermodynamics

The buildings lose a lot of air to the outdoors when it gets hot. Cooler air is constantly moving outside in the summer. On top of this, as your building loses cool and hot air, hot, humid air is entering your home to replace that loss. This is thermodynamics. It can be simplified by saying that heat is always seeking equilibrium. Heat moves to cold until everything is equal.

Heat is persistent in finding a way to enter colder areas until there is neutralization. Listed below are the three main ways heat "moves" into your colder home:

Conduction Heat conducts between the hot and cold sides. This heat is transferred by direct contact. In other words, your hot roof heats your attic.

Heat Convection is when hot air rises, making your attic hotter than other rooms in the house

Radiation. The scorching sun's rays heat your roof, walls, and ceilings

Your interior can become uncomfortably hot if enough heat flows towards the cool areas.

Insulation

Insulation does more than keep your home warm in the winter. It can also cool older or newer buildings. Insulation acts as an insulation layer that keeps the hot outside air out of your building.

Insulating your frame can help reduce your heating or cooling bills. Attic space is the most affected by heat gain and loss. Prioritizing attic insulation is essential.

A professional is a good idea as buildings require different insulation based on the climate, type of building, and intended use. It is important to choose insulation that has a warranty between 6-10 years. Once the insulation's warranty ends, replace the insulation or install a new layer.

Sealing your Home

Imagine your ideal temperature "resistant” building as a thermostat. The thermostats are sealed so make sure your building is sealed. It is important that your building be sealed to keep hot air out. This increases your building's efficiency, meaning your cooling systems are less efficient.

Lucky for us, metal has a lower porous content than other building materials. It creates a tight seal which helps reduce energy loss.

Your Roof Gets Hot

Your roof will be the hottest part of your building. Your roof will absorb the sun's rays and also be the recipient of hot air from within the building (hot air rises). Your roof can heat up to 200 F with some roofing materials.

Modern metal roofs reflect heat better and can lower cooling costs by up 25% Metal roofs can be cooler than asphalt and other roofing materials like tile, wood, tile, or concrete shingles. Reflective coatings make metal roofs lighter and more efficient at directing UV rays from the sun back into the atmosphere.

A roof mist cooling system (also known as an "evaporation system") is a new and cool way to alleviate the sun's damaging effects on your roof. The cool mist cooling system can prolong the life of your roof, while also offering low-cost benefits. The misting sprays fine mist on your roof. This mist is then vaporized with the sun's rays. These vaporized water droplets make cool air. The cool, vaporized water droplets then create cool air. Meanwhile, the hot and humid air rises. This system is predominantly used for commercial roofing. However, it is slowly being integrated into residential homes.

Greenville Roofing Masters

Greenville NC

(252) 436 8250