What Extra Durability and Resiliency Steps Should You Take in a Hot Climate?

According to recent NASA reports, global temperatures have been rising and ice sheets have been melting—both of which may be contributing factors to changing weather patterns. With these changes, resilient construction is increasingly important as builders are seeking extra durability within their builds.

Hot Climates

So, what does building resiliently mean exactly? The Resilient Design Institute defines resilient construction as “the capacity to adapt to changing conditions and to maintain or regain functionality and vitality in the face of stress or disturbance.”

In hot climate zones, this ability to adapt means thinking beyond the obvious aspects of a build such as weather-appropriate design or ventilation options and taking a closer look at all the materials that are being used in terms of their ability to reduce heat and moisture. 

The Right Materials—All From One Source  

As a company, LP Building Solutions has been approaching weather-related challenges in a holistic way for quite some time now. From our radiant barrier to air and water barrier and even our siding, we offer a portfolio of solutions that can collectively go a long way in protecting homes in all climates, including warmer climate zones. Let's take a look at the two important products and their individual advantages for warmer climates. 

LP^® TechShield^® Radiant Barrier

When focusing on hot climates, the most obvious aspect of the environment that builders have to combat is heat and more specifically the radiant energy to which structures are exposed in warmer climates throughout the country.  

The unique features of LP^® TechShield^® Radiant Barrier prevent the majority of radiant energy from entering into the attic space. The aluminum surface of LP TechShield panels has a very low emissivity, meaning that as the panel heats up only about 3 %-5 % of that energy is emitted or radiated off the surface into the interior attic space. Blocking this radiant heat can significantly reduce attic temperatures by up to 30^o F. That's a difference even the most discerning homeowners are unlikely to miss. As Jim Bale, owner of Jim Bale Homes, puts it: “In the summertime especially, you put LP TechShield on the roof and it cools the interior of the house and you notice immediately. To me, that's comfortability in the house and it's a big deal.” 

LP^® SmartSide^® Trim & Siding

Siding can also play a role in protecting a home from the effects of heat and radiant energy. Unlike many popular siding materials, LP^® SmartSide^® Trim & Siding is uniquely engineered to stand up to a variety of heat-related problems such as warping, bending, cracking and paint-chipping. In fact, LP SmartSide products resist the effects of heat better than vinyl. In Southern states where temperatures can soar to 120° F, LP SmartSide Trim & Siding has remained strong and beautiful, with proper maintenance and care even after prolonged exposure, while other siding materials may be damaged by the intense sunlight and hot, dry weather.

Part of a Larger Strategy

There are many other factors builders should consider as part of their strategy when building in hot climate zones—tight insulation, proper ventilation, orientation (direction a home faces) and even the types of windows—but starting with LP sheathing and siding products is an important first step.

Backed with industry-leading limited warranties, you can be confident that your home will be protected, even in the harshest of environments. Learn more about LP Building Solutions and how our products are designed to Defend Your Build^® from hot climates.