When considering your roofing options in Santa Fe and the surrounding parts of New Mexico, this area’s unique climate challenges should be at the forefront of your decision-making process. Specifically, we’re looking at intense sun, temperature swings, and low precipitation.
Other than that, there are also further considerations alongside basic climate challenges — which roofing materials are most durable within those environmental circumstances? And which help make your home as energy efficient as possible?
With that in mind, here are our candidates for the three best roofing materials for homes and businesses in the Santa Fe and greater New Mexico climate:
TPO Roofing: a Modern, Efficient Solution
TPO is the more modern option, a single-ply combination of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene. It came onto the roofing scene in the 90s and is generally used for flatter roofs, particularly on commercial buildings.
During installation, sheets of TPO membrane overlap and then are hot-air welded together — although sometimes you’ll see seams that are glued or glued and taped — with them then being attached to the rooftop structure through adhesives or mechanical fasteners. At Santa Fe Stucco & Roofing, we offer only fully-adhered TPO as we have found it provides the best protection against condensation.
TPO roofing is also Energy Star rated while being white to reflect heat. Particularly in comparison with PVC roofing, a material commonly considered side-by-side, this is your least expensive option with those aforementioned qualities. At the same time, this energy focus saves you extra money in utilities over the long run.
One thing worth noting: TPO can get slippery in wet cold weather, which affects future inspections and maintenance in certain climates or inclement seasons.
Modified Bitumen Roofing: Time-tested and Approved
Bitumen is another term for what we more commonly call asphalt. Modified bitumen roofing is a combination of asphalt and polymerized rubber, which are together reinforced with fiberglass.
This roofing option has been around for about 60 years and is especially common on commercial roofing that’s low- or no-slope. With its longer history, one of modified bitumen’s advantages over TPO is simply a more tried and true track record.
On the other hand, modified bitumen roofing also has more frequent seams compared to other roofing materials — especially compared with TPO’s fewer seams. This means there are more potential points for leaks, deterioration, etc., which can give out before the lifespan “should” be over. Usually, these roofs should last around 20 or so years; this lifespan can be extended with proper maintenance (and a bit of luck), but can be cut short from improper installation, poor maintenance… or just bad luck at the seams, especially regarding the weather as the freeze-thaw and thermal cycling can impact its longevity.
Proper installation is especially important because if done by an inexperienced team it can be susceptible to damage during the process and/or come apart in places down the line, leading to leaks and other complications.
Otherwise, modified bitumen has a number of climate advantages: It’s good for water- and weatherproofing from seasonal rain and snow — although that also can impact lifespan — and is relatively durable. The flexibility of membrane plays into this versus more rigid materials, as does its multi-play nature. It is important to note, however, that it can be susceptible to water pooling depending on the roof layout, which can cause damage.
You can also partner modified bitumen with reflective or white coating to reflect heat, which is obviously very useful during Santa Fe’s hotter months.
Foam and Silicone Roofing: Ultimate Seamless Protection
Last comes foam and silicone roofing options.
At Santa Fe Stucco & Roofing, we use a two-part protective system combining both these materials. First, we clear the old roof — under New Mexico’s building codes, only two roofing systems are allowed on top of each other at once, and many older buildings are at that maximum or greater already and so need to be cleared. Then we remove defective material, add foam, and then prime it, after which we mix and apply a Gaco silicone coating.
The foam insulates, while the silicone helps protect it from UV that would otherwise break it down faster.
There are a few benefits of foam and silicone roofing.
To start, unlike other options, it’s seamless. This means, whereas for other roofing options you have seams every few feet that are liable to deteriorate, causing leaks and potential damage throughout the roof, that’s not a concern here. While the silicone layer should be reapplied every decade to 15 years or so, that’s simply a part of proper maintenance and can altogether help the full roof last quite a long time.
At the same time, the seamlessness combines with the multiple layers and insulating foam to give it a five star energy rating that will keep you more comfortable while saving money on energy in the long run.
Comparing these Three Roofing Materials to Decide which is Best for You
In the end, there isn’t one answer that fits everyone here. Foam and silicone roof systems might work better for some, with a modified bitumen being better for others.
We recommend going through a checklist of your needs to help determine which is the best fit. Consider your expectation for lifespan and maintenance during that time, plus how each will impact your home’s energy efficiency.
With these considerations in mind, you can start to more clearly see which of these three options will best protect your home and suit your needs.