How to Tell if Your Roof Is Holding Heat (and What That’s Costing You)
In Oklahoma summers, your roof is under constant attack from extreme heat. But here’s something most homeowners don’t realize: your roof could be holding that heat like a giant oven, costing you money every month and silently shortening the life of your roofing system.
At Tier-One Roofing, we’ve seen firsthand how heat buildup leads to everything from warped shingles to sky-high utility bills. Here’s how to know if your roof is one of the culprits and what you can do about it.
Why Roofs Trap Heat
A roof that holds heat is usually suffering from one of these problems:
Poor Attic Ventilation: Without proper airflow, hot air gets trapped inside, raising roof deck temperatures and baking shingles from below.
Dark, Low-Reflectivity Shingles: Dark shingles absorb more sunlight, especially if they’re older and missing protective granules.
Clogged or Blocked Vents: Even a few blocked soffit vents can disrupt the entire airflow system.
Insufficient Insulation: Heat passes more easily through ceilings, creating an attic space that acts like a heat trap.
All of this can push attic temperatures well above 140°F on a summer day—and those temperatures don’t just stay in the attic. They impact your whole home.
Signs Your Roof Is Holding Heat
1. High Energy Bills in Summer
If your cooling costs spike every summer—even when you haven’t changed thermostat settings—your roof could be part of the problem. Trapped attic heat forces your AC to work harder, costing you money every month.
2. Hot Upstairs or Attic Spaces
If your upstairs feels like a sauna, it’s often due to poor roof ventilation. That trapped heat radiates downward, making it impossible to cool certain rooms.
3. Premature Roof Aging
Heat buildup accelerates shingle wear. Look for signs like:
Curling edges
Cracked or brittle shingles
Granules in gutters
4. Mold or Musty Smells in the Attic
Heat combined with moisture creates an ideal environment for mold growth, a sign that ventilation isn’t balanced.
5. Ice Dams in Winter (Yes, Winter!)
Heat escaping through the roof in cold months causes snow to melt and refreeze at eaves, proving the roof system can’t regulate temperature properly.
If you’re noticing even one of these signs, it’s time to have your roof checked by Tier-One Roofing.
How Much Is It Costing You?
The Department of Energy estimates poor attic ventilation can increase cooling costs by 10–25%. For many Oklahoma households, that’s hundreds of dollars every summer. And it’s not just energy bills:
Roof lifespan: Trapped heat can cut your shingle life by 5–10 years.
Indoor comfort: Hot spots in your home can require expensive HVAC upgrades.
Resale value: A roof that’s visibly aged from heat damage reduces home value.
That means the cost of ignoring heat issues compounds every year.
How to Check for Heat Buildup (Without Climbing on the Roof)
Touch the Ceiling on a Hot Day: If the ceiling feels warm, attic heat is likely radiating into your living space.
Look for Attic Vents: If you can’t see soffit or ridge vents, airflow may be inadequate.
Inspect for Hot Spots with an Infrared Thermometer: Affordable handheld tools can detect unusually hot areas.
Schedule a Professional Roof Inspection: Tier-One Roofing uses thermal imaging to identify heat pockets and ventilation failures.
How Tier-One Roofing Fixes Heat Issues
We don’t just replace shingles—we look at the whole system:
Ventilation Upgrades: Adding or unblocking soffit and ridge vents to ensure balanced airflow.
Reflective Shingle Options: Light-colored or high-tech shingles reduce heat absorption.
Attic Insulation Assessments: We help you work with insulation pros if needed.
Full Roof and Attic Analysis: We check for leaks, gaps, and structural issues that contribute to trapped heat.
Our goal isn’t just to fix what’s broken—it’s to make your entire home more efficient and comfortable.
The Tier-One Difference
Most roofing companies stop at shingles. We don’t. As a veteran-owned company, we approach every roof as a mission:
Protect the home
Improve efficiency
Extend lifespan
That means honest assessments, clear documentation, and solutions built for Oklahoma’s unique weather extremes.
Your Next Step
If you’ve noticed high energy bills, hot rooms, or shingles that look like they’re aging too fast, don’t wait for the next utility bill to remind you there’s a problem.
Call Tier-One Roofing today for a free roof and attic inspection. We’ll show you exactly how your roof handles heat, what it’s costing you, and what it takes to fix it.
Because your roof shouldn’t be a liability—it should be protecting your home and saving you money, every single day.