Cool roofs: Basking in reflected glory
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Comments(16)
Posted By Marie - Tue, Feb 02 2010 at 2:30 PM ESTEnergy savings
I have a metal roof on my commercial building and had it coated last year by a contractor that used a rubber coating from Topps Products. It solved my leaky roof problem and has reduced my air conditioning bills by about 15%, which is huge here in the southern part of the country.
Posted By Anonymous - Sun, Jan 24 2010 at 3:55 PM ESTRE - not good for winter
I hear Super Therm solves that problem by insulating the interior during cold months, while keeping heat out in hot months. I assume double duty products like this will be more common, as will "cool color" finishes and materials that don't require us to use white, but get the same or nearly the same results.
Posted By cynthia korzekwa - Sat, Jan 23 2010 at 4:01 AM ESTwhite roofs
We have a home on the island of Paros in the Cyclades and all of the buildings there are painted white to reflect the heat. You can feel the difference inside a home that has a painted roof as opposed to one that does not.
Posted By MotherLodeBeth - Sat, Jan 23 2010 at 12:38 AM ESTIts more than white roofs
Here in my area of the Sierras where we have 100* days for the summer, most people are doing solar roofs that look like metal roofs but are actually solar which provides off the grid living as well as low heat absorption. My issue with white roofs in urban or suburban settings is if the neighborhood is made up of hills rather than flat land, since nothing is worse than bright white glare on an already unbearable hot day. And a well insulated roof areas also cuts down on heat absorption. Grey.... More
Posted By Michelle - Fri, Jan 22 2010 at 1:24 PM ESTCool Roofs
I've often wondered why someone hasn't already started this trend! Between this and lighter colored roadways seem to be a no brainer to reduce our contribution to global warming!
Posted By MotherLodeBeth - Sat, Jan 23 2010 at 12:45 AM ESTI agree Michelle
Michelle your comments on lighter coloured roadways makes to much sense for some people. And yes it is a no brainer.
Posted By Jay - Fri, Jan 22 2010 at 11:41 AM ESTUse Sparyon Foam insulation
Asphalt shingles are cheap. easy to lay down. If one uses spray on foam insulation under the roof deck ICYNENE ( we did this), the attic space remains at a constant temp. This may be one of the least expensive way to keep the summer heat out and winter weather from affecting the in home temp.
Posted By HawaiiBill - Fri, Jan 22 2010 at 1:56 PM ESTSay no to asphalt
Asphalt is a petroleum based product and the shingles last HALF the time of a metal, tile or concrete roof.
Posted By Ardes - Fri, Jan 22 2010 at 10:56 AM ESTresidences are different than commercial buildings
In determining something like roof color, you need to take into account the use of the building and the climate in which it is set. In the midwest, the heating season is 9 months long and the cooling season only about 2 months. And it seldom gets hot enough that ceiling fans and cross ventilation can't handle it. I chose a dark green roof (after having a light grey roof) three years ago and it has reduced my gas bills and not increased my electric bills. Commercial buildings need more air.... More
Posted By izmunuti - Thu, Jan 21 2010 at 3:38 AM ESTnew material changes color
I heard (on NPR) of a new roof paint/material that has been invented that is a light color when it is warm, but turns dark when it is colder. This will help no matter the season. I forgot further details... sorry!
Posted By elak - Wed, Jan 20 2010 at 3:53 PM ESTCool roof = green roof
Why stay with reflective paint? Add a thin layer of soil and hardy plants and you get not just reflection but also evaporation. Green roofs also insulate during winter. They can be installed on top of traditional asphalt roofing and multiplies the life of it. Green roofs reduce the risk of flooding in urban areas since it absorbs water.
Posted By MotherLodeBeth - Sat, Jan 23 2010 at 12:49 AM ESTElak I love living roofs
Elak, we are seeing more and more living roofs here in California and in the Seattle area. They have been common in places like Switzerland for centuries. Early settlers in the prairie states had sod roofs. Would rather look at a 'living' roof than some man made product.
Posted By Jon - Wed, Jan 20 2010 at 11:54 AM ESTre:not good for winter
Keeping the snow on a pitched roof will actually act as an insulator. Masive amounts of snow on a flat or low-pitched roof is a bad thing. But a pitched roof in good condition that was installed correctly should not be a problem.
Posted By Nel - Wed, Jan 20 2010 at 9:02 AM ESTOther considerations
I'm thinking of installing decra metal shingles when it comes time to replace my asphalt roof. They may be slightly more expensive initially but come with many advantages. They stay cooler than asphalt, they weigh a lot less, have a 120mph wind resistance, they are non combustible, have the highest hail impact resistance rating (I live in Texas) and have a 50 year warranty. Here an asphalt shingle roof usually suffers hail and wind damage and needs replacing years before its supposed.... More
Posted By c wood - Tue, Jan 19 2010 at 11:35 AM ESTNot good for winter
I have a reflective metal roof. Although they are great in the summer, they are really cold in the winter. Given that cooling costs me about 35$ a month in summer, and heating would be about $200, i'd rather have some good ole asphalt shingles.
Another side effect is that if it's white (which mine isn't) the snow is just gonna pile up on there in the winter, causing other problems. So before you think about doing this, make sure you compare yours heating/cooling bills.
Heat reflective paint
a great post which reveals the facts about Cool roofs. reflective paint and "cool roofs" to increase the energy efficiency of homes and commercial buildings. The move could reduce electric bills. Just to buy these hot reflective paint and take advantage of it.