Vegas Heat Test: Which Patio Roof Keeps You Cooler?
At Suncoast Enclosures, we don’t just build beautiful outdoor living spaces — we engineer them to perform in real-world conditions. So we took a trip to our Las Vegas office to run a side-by-side comparison of how our Suncoast Louvered Roof performs against a traditional insulated roof in extreme desert heat.
Our goal? To find out which roof keeps your patio cooler during the hottest part of the day — and which one cools down faster after the sun sets.
Test 1: Midday Temperature Comparison
We placed three thermometers in different locations:
- #1 under the insulated roof
- #2 in direct sunlight
- #3 under the Suncoast Louvered Roof
Here’s what we found:
- Direct sunlight: 119.1°F
- Insulated roof: 97.5°F
- Suncoast Louvered Roof: 95.5°F
Result: The Suncoast Louvered Roof came in 2 degrees cooler than the insulated roof — a surprising result considering the insulated roof is designed to block heat. So what’s going on here?
It’s All in the Engineering
Unlike dense insulated roofs that trap heat, the Suncoast Louvered Roof is designed to release it. Our hollow louver blades allow rising hot air to pass through more freely, keeping the space underneath cooler.
To prove this, we measured the surface temperatures of both roof systems using a thermal gun.
Test 2: Surface Temperature in the Heat
- Insulated roof: 110–111°F
- Suncoast Louvered Roof: 105–106°F
Result: The insulated roof is retaining significantly more surface heat, while the Suncoast Louvered Roof stays cooler — which directly impacts how comfortable the patio feels below.
Test 3: Cooling After Sundown
As the sun went down, we measured how quickly each roof released the heat it absorbed throughout the day:
- Insulated roof surface: 89.4°F
- Louvered roof surface: 77.0°F
Result: That’s a 28–29 degree temperature drop for the Suncoast Louvered Roof, compared to only 20–21 degrees for the insulated roof. This shows that the Suncoast system dissipates heat far more effectively, preventing lingering warmth in the evening.
Test 4: Ambient Temperature After Sunset
We also measured how warm it felt under each roof after the sun had gone down:
- Insulated roof: 88.8°F
- Direct light: 85.1°F
- Suncoast Louvered Roof: 84.3°F
Result: The patio under the Suncoast Louvered Roof was not only more than 4 degrees cooler than the insulated roof — it was even cooler than the general ambient temperature in the yard. That’s the power of our innovative louver blade design, which naturally promotes airflow and heat dissipation, even when closed.
Bonus Comfort Tip
Want your patio even cooler? Open the blades to release trapped heat, then switch on an optional ceiling fan to circulate cool air throughout your space. With a Suncoast Louvered Roof, comfort is always in your control.
Why It Matters
When it comes to building a patio in a hot climate like Las Vegas, not all roof systems are created equal. The Suncoast Louvered Roof doesn’t just provide shade — it actively manages heat, keeping your outdoor space cooler during the day and more comfortable at night.
This real-world heat test is just one more reason why Suncoast Enclosures is leading the way in outdoor comfort and performance.
Ready to make your outdoor space cooler, smarter and better?
Explore the Suncoast Louvered Roof portfolio and get your free quote today!
