How Temperature Change Affects Your Roof?

May 20, 2021

Melbourne is well known for its notoriously fickle weather. With an average yearly temperature of 15°C, Summer days can reach the mid-40’s, and Winter can sometimes be below freezing. These weather patterns and fluctuations may result in harm to the roof of your property. Regular inspections by roof restoration Melbourne experts will help you stay on top of any issues before they cause long-term or internal damage to your home. 

Making homes look beautiful one roof at a time, Modern Seal Roofing is your best choice for roof restoration services in Melbourne. We care about you and your home, and we’re confident that our professional and knowledgeable roofing services put us in a league of our own. 

The roof is the most exposed part of the house and, as such, requires care and maintenance for optimal performance. Roofing materials behave differently, but all types can be affected by weather and temperature variations. 


The Effects of Weather on your Roof:

  • Expansion and contraction

Temperature extremes can have long-term effects on roofing materials. In general, cool temperatures cause a roof to contract, whereas hotter temperatures will make it expand. 

The heat of the sun causes your roof to stretch. This expansion can result in cracks and fissures forming in the roof’s surface, flashing, window trims, gutters or siding. Heat is not the only culprit; cold weather can also create problems by shrinking the roof material – and the cycle continues.

  • Colour and Shade

The roof colour you choose could mean the difference between an enjoyable summer and a tough one.

Although black may look sleek and modern, it is not the best colour for a roof in hot temperatures. Black roofs are hotter than white roofs. Not only does the use of lighter coloured roofing material have the potential to cut your cooling costs, but it also looks great. It will help to improve the value and aesthetics of your house.

Darker roof tiles absorb more heat, thereby requiring more use of your air conditioner and, consequently, higher energy bills. You’ll save money by opting for lighter shades when installing or replacing roof tiles.

  • Expansion Joints

Temperature expansion is a serious problem that needs to be addressed regularly to prevent the need to replace your existing roof in the future. Every homeowner should be aware of the short and long-term effects of temperature fluctuations and the need for effective expansion joints; a lack of expansion joints is a disaster waiting to happen.

  • Other Seasonal Changes

Melbourne’s weather changes constantly. It certainly is the city of ‘four seasons in one day. Extremes of temperature can result in your roof aging much faster than it would in more temperate climates. 

Thermal shock is the cause of this damage. Temperature fluctuations can affect your roof’s overall health and longevity because the roofing materials behave differently during warmer and colder months. This pressure placed on your roof is called thermal stress.

It’s essential to have your roof checked over by Melbourne's professional roof restoration experts.. They will check for existing and potential problems caused by the effects of thermal shock. 

The Cumulative Effect


If you live in an area with warm summers and cold winters, your property’s roof will continually expand and contract. This movement may result in failing nails, loose brackets and warped or cracked flashing and roof materials.

Modern Seal Roofing fixes all roofing problems faced by homeowners as a result of weather and normal wear and tear. 


If you are looking for experts for roof restoration in Melbourne, contact our experienced team today! We will inspect your roof for possible damages and provide you with an obligation-free quote to maintain your roof’s health.