Metal Roofing on Residential Buildings: A Dynamic Thermal Simulation Study

The paper compares the effect of metal or tiled roofing finishes on the thermal performance of roofs of residential buildings in different climatic conditions in Europe and their contribution to the heat island effect in cities. A typical masonry house with U-values according to national requirements for four different locations in Europe was modeled using IES TAS simulation software. Metal roofs, particularly with reflective coatings, reduce cooling loads or decrease hours overheating more than tiled roofs. Metal roofs reduce heat stored in the building fabric - a major contributor to urban heat islands. With solar reflective coatings, they also reduce summertime surface temperatures during the day.