SharkSkin Ultra Radiant Roof Heat Barrier for Arizona Homes
A Roofing Upgrade that Protects Your Home from Attic Heat
Attic heat seems almost unavoidable in Arizona’s hot desert climate. Legacy Roofing offers a roof underlayment solution that reflects light and protects your home, your comfort, and your AC system. It can even help lower your energy bills.
What Is SharkSkin Ultra Radiant Underlayment?
SharkSkin Ultra Radiant is a high-performance roof underlayment. Suited for use with shingle, metal, tile, and slate roofing systems, it consists of multiple blended polypropylene layers that help reflect infrared energy and block moisture. These include a reflective insulation layer plus a roof moisture barrier to protect roofs from water intrusion.
How Radiant Heat Barriers Work on Arizona Roofs
The climate in Phoenix, Prescott, and the surrounding Arizona desert areas is characterized by high heat and abundant sunshine. There’s simply too much heat to work with in Arizona, and a great deal of heat can move through your roof and into your living spaces. Radiant heat barriers work by reflecting heat energy away, rather than absorbing it or slowing it down.
Why Northern Arizona Homes Need Heat-Reflective Roofing
Local daytime temperatures can exceed 100℉ for days or weeks on end in summer. In direct sunlight, the temperature of rooftop surfaces can easily reach 150℉. An underlayment for hot climates can have the following benefits:
- Reduced attic temperatures
- Less heat transfer into living spaces
- Improved air conditioner efficiency
- Lower energy bills
- A more comfortable home
SharkSkin Ultra Radiant Key Features and Technology
Polypropylene is the primary material of this roof deck protection system. It stops attic heat before it gets into your home, but that’s not the only advantage. This roof underlayment system incorporates various features and technologies that protect your roof, your home, and your household:
- Moisture Barrier: Protects primary roof coverings and contributes to their overall durability, minimizing roof repair.
- High Tensile Strength: SharkSkin Ultra Radiant is strong enough to endure winds exceeding hurricane force.
- Non-Slip Surface: Provides traction for when walking on roof surfaces during wet and/or windy weather.
- Temperature Resistance: The roof underlayment is rated for use in -40℉ to 280℉ temperatures.
- Light Gray Surface: The reflective surface is cooler to walk on, protecting workers during roof underlayment installation.
The product is also backed by a 50-year material warranty.
Reflecting Up to 97% of Radiant Heat
SharkSkin Ultra Radiant is an effective roofing heat barrier that reflects up to 97% of radiant heat. Research has shown that this not only keeps attic temperatures cooler. Rooms that tend to be hotter also stayed cooler, including upstairs rooms and the garage. Therefore, a slate, shingle, or tile roof underlayment can help achieve more even temperature distribution throughout your home.
How SharkSkin Ultra Reduces Attic Temperatures
The barrier is designed to stop radiant heat at the roof deck. Most other alternatives absorb heat once it is inside the attic. SharkSkin Ultra is not mounted in the attic; instead, it is installed on the roof surface to prevent heat from entering in the first place. Being light gray in color, it effectively reflects solar heat away from your roof.
Real World Performance Results in Arizona Heat
At Legacy Roofing, we performed a real-world test of the SharkSkin Ultra Radiant heat barrier on a tile roof in North Phoenix. Outdoor and attic temperatures were recorded for 30 days before and 30 days after the installation. Here were the key findings:
Attic Temperature Reduction
Between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm, attic temperatures were kept about 9℉ cooler on average. Just a 3℉ heat gain was observed, which would otherwise be in the double digits.
Reduced AC Run Time and Wear
Once installed, the roof underlayment contributed to a 10% reduction in compressor run time, which can extend an AC system’s lifespan. It also saved ~10% on cooling energy.
Improved Comfort
More even temperatures were measured in the observed home, with upstairs rooms running 2-5℉ cooler on average, and garages running up to 10℉ cooler.
These findings show that SharkSkin Ultra is a highly effective underlayment for hot climates.
Improving Indoor Comfort with Cooler Attic Spaces
A hot attic has an abundance of heat that can radiate through building materials, ducts, and the air into living spaces. With a cooler attic, your home can be a refuge from the summer heat. However, a reflective underlayment isn’t the only way to stay cool. Adding insulation, improving ventilation, and sealing air leaks can also reduce attic temperatures and keep your living spaces cooler. They also help ensure a radiant barrier performs as designed.
Protecting Your Roof Deck and Home Structure
Thermal stress can damage shingles, tiles, and other roofing materials. A radiant barrier provides roof deck protection by preventing warping, deterioration, and premature aging. Damage to roof decking may not be as obvious as damage to, for example, shingles, but it can compromise your roof’s structural integrity and lead to roof replacement if not taken care of quickly. It can also cause leaks, sagging, mold, and other issues that can affect the entire structure of your home.
Triple Layer Water Barrier and Moisture Protection
Aside from being a roofing heat barrier, SharkSkin Ultra Radiant is also an effective moisture barrier. It provides triple-layer water protection. Water cannot pass through it, while the roof mat is ventilated, which channels airflow to remove any trapped moisture. This prevents mold growth and wood rot, water stains, or dampness.
How SharkSkin Ultra Extends Roof System Longevity
Excessive heat and moisture damage can cause your roof to deteriorate quickly. From sagging rooflines to holes, gaps, and leaks, your roof system can develop issues that shorten its lifespan. Damp or discolored roof decking is a sign of serious roof damage. SharkSkin Ultra Radiant extends roof system longevity by blocking heat and moisture that can wear it out.
Comparison to Traditional Roofing Underlayment
SharkSkin Ultra Radiant is more durable, moisture-resistant, and lightweight than traditional felt made of asphalt combined with paper or fiberglass. Felt is prone to tearing in high winds. It’s also more slippery, creating installation challenges, and is heavier than synthetic roof felt, which can provide more material per roll, resulting in fewer seams. A synthetic underlayment provides greater resistance to the elements.
Ideal Roofing Systems for SharkSkin Ultra Installation
You may want to consider this solution for roof underlayment installation or replacement for the following types of roofs:
- Asphalt Shingle: It works with three-tab, architectural, impact-resistant, and other shingles that represent Arizona’s most popular roofing material.
- Tile: The SharkSkin underlayment can be set with the roof installation of clay and concrete tiles of any size, color, or shape.
- Slate: A heat barrier underlayment can increase the longevity and durability of a slate roof while protecting your home.
Contact Legacy Roofing for SharkSkin Installation
Legacy Roofing can meet all your roof service needs and is experienced with installing SharkSkin Ultra Radiant heat barriers. We’re familiar with Arizona’s climate and how to improve your roof’s longevity. If your home is too warm or needs energy efficiency improvements, we can check your roof and attic to determine if this radiant heat barrier is the best solution.
Read our blog about Why Roof Underlayment Matters More in Arizona and contact Legacy Roofing to learn more!
Kevin Benitez Salazar
Legacy Roofing successfully executed an intricate new roof installation. Given the total square footage of the roof, we expertly installed durable shingles after a careful removal of the old roof layers. The project involved a meticulous replacement of the fascia and a robust synthetic underlayment application ensuring enhanced waterproofing. We installed a ridge vent for optimized ventilation and performed thorough flashing around the chimneys and skylights for additional leak protection. This professional roofing service brings our client optimal safety, longevity, and ease of mind. Service Type: Roof Installation - Legacy Roofing Department
Mario Naranjo
Legacy Roofing completed a 25-square-meter tile roof lift and reset enhanced package, addressing issues of misaligned tiles and potential leaks. Our team meticulously lifted and repositioned each tile, ensuring a secure fit to prevent water intrusion and enhance the roof's longevity. This comprehensive service included inspecting the underlying structure and replacing any damaged components for optimal performance and peace of mind. Service Type: Roofing Repair
Kevin Benitez Salazar, Mario Naranjo
Legacy Roofing expertly completed a Tile Roof Lift & Reset Enhanced Package for a 43-square-foot area, ensuring optimal roof performance. We installed 10 new O'Hagin vents and reused the existing drip edge and eave riser for efficiency. Additionally, a sheet of 1/2" CDX was replaced in the front valley to address dry rot, enhancing the roof's durability and safety. This comprehensive service ensures long-lasting protection and peace of mind for the homeowner. **Service Type: Roofing Installation**
Collin Winemiller, Jose Mota, Juan Luis Mota
Legacy Roofing undertook a comprehensive roof replacement, spanning over a considerable square area. A high-quality shingle roof was installed following the complete removal of the existing roof. We identified and replaced any deteriorating fascia before proceeding with the installation. To ensure maximum protection from water infiltration, we used synthetic underlayment complemented by an ice and water shield. Furthermore, the installation of ridge and soffit ventilations were provided to ensure efficient heat management, while all chimneys, skylights or other penetrations were secured with long-lasting flashing. Particular attention was given to any low-slope or valley areas that required special waterproofing, ensuring long-term reliability for the customer. **Service Type: Roofing Installation Department**
Legacy Roofing successfully installed a tile roof on a 30 squares area. The process required the removal of the existing roof, which was executed with precision and minimal disruption. The lift and reset technique ensured a proper fit and prolonged durability of the new tiles. All installations followed stringent safety measures and industry best practices, which will lead to robust protection against weather conditions and contribute to optimal home insulation. Service Type: Roof Installation Department: Roofing Services
Mario Naranjo
Legacy Roofing addressed a roofing issue at this property, replacing multiple damaged and old shingles to prevent further water leaks. Our team made sure that newly installed shingles were securely placed to withstand different weather conditions. The roofing repair also included sealant application around the vents and chimney for added protection. All tasks were accomplished effectively to ensure a safer, reliable, and leak-free roof for the homeowner. Service Type: Roofing Repair Department
Mario Naranjo
Legacy Roofing replaced the damaged sections of roof shingles, ensuring the home's exterior layer's fully sealed integrity against the elements. We carefully removed the old shingles, unclogged drain gutters, and installed new durable, water-resistant roof shingles. The repair work improved not only the home's safety from water leaks but also its aesthetic appeal, proving to be a value-addition to the property. Service Type: Roof Replacement & Repair Department
Juan Luis Mota, Mario Naranjo
Legacy Roofing tackled a complex roof repair, meticulously replacing worn shingles and underlayment for improved weather protection. We ensured that all roofing components were properly aligned and securely fastened to enhance the longevity and performance of the roof. Our team also inspected the surrounding areas to mitigate potential leaks, providing the customer with a sturdy and reliable roofing system. Service Type: Roof Repair and Maintenance Services