In the last few years cool roofing systems and technology have advanced dramatically, with more people choosing environmentally friendly building materials. But does a cool roof really keep you cool? And how can you update your current roof to make it more environmentally friendly? At Aabco Roofing, we have the answers to all your burning questions.
What is a Cool Roof?
Cool roofs are designed to absorb less heat than typical roofs, while simultaneously reflecting more sunlight. While all cool roofs are different, the majority also reflect UV and ultraviolet light.
As private and commercial architecture starts becoming more eco-friendly, cool roofs have become popular among homeowners and corporates alike. In some areas, local governments encourage residents and companies to install cool roofs through the use of tax rebates and other incentives. If you’re interested in exploring eco-friendly roof options our qualified technicians at Aabco Roofing will help you pick the best cool roof technology for your building.
Cool Roof Technology – How Do They Work?
There are different ways to create a cool roof, ranging from painting a dark roof white all the way to reroof with advanced cool roof technology. In order for a roof to be classified as a cool roof, the area exposed to the sun has to reflect more light than it absorbs. This can be achieved in multiple ways:
Cool Roof Coats
One of the easiest ways to turn an existing roof into a cool roof is to coat it in reflective pigment. Cool roof coatings, which are similar to very thick paints, are usually white and protect roofs from UV rays. Some coatings even have restorative features and can prevent roofs from water damage.
You may be wondering, why white? Just like black clothing makes you feel hotter in summer, so too do black roofs make your home hotter. Although many homeowners opt for dark roofs for the sake of cleaning and aesthetics, lightly colored roofs are better at keeping a building cool. In peak hours a black roof can reach more than 150°F, whereas the temperature of the same roof in white lowers to 50°F cooler.
Modified Bitumen
Modified bitumen roofs are ideal for building with flat or lightly sloped roofs. Modified bitumen is made out of sheets of rubber or plastic asphalt reinforced with fabric and attached to a roof with either cool adhesive or heated asphalt. Traditional bitumen roofs are black or gray, meaning that they absorb more heat than they reflect. Luckily Aabco Roofing can source cool bitumen roofing materials to ensure that your roof keeps you cool.
Single-Ply Membranes
Single-ply membranes are plastic or vinyl sheets that contain cool coating materials. These coatings, which are integrated into the membrane itself, reflect light and don’t absorb as much heat. They are attached to roofs via mechanical fasteners or adhesives.
Cool Roofs Make Everything Colder
Cool roofs benefit both you and the environment, making your home and your community a little cooler (and colder as well). Installing a cool roof will help keep your house cool as well as improve the overall temperature in your local environment.
Cool Roofs Keep You Cool
By reducing the amount of heat your roof absorbs, cool roofs are able to reduce the overall temperature in your home. This is particularly beneficial for people living in hot and humid environments like South Florida. When the temperature starts creeping into the 90s, a change of 1-2 degrees can make a huge difference. Cool roofs also prevent your wallet from overheating by decreasing the amount of money spent on home cooling devices such as air conditioners.
Cool Roofs Lower Outside Temperatures
Not only do cool roofs decrease the temperature inside your home, they also have an effect on the temperature within your community. Dark roofs absorb more heat, warming the air around them and increasing the local air temperature. In areas where buildings are densely packed, multiple black roofs can significantly raise the ambient temperature in that environment. This effect is particularly noticeable in large cities, where sidewalks and dark roofs make the air feel hotter than it is (up to 6 degrees hotter).
By decreasing local temperatures, cool roofs also benefit the environment. With the rise of global warming, installing a cool roof that doesn’t overheat an environment and reduces household energy expenditure is one way to ensure future generations don’t overheat.
At Aabco Roofing, we are committed to ensuring your private or commercial cool roof best suits your building’s architecture. Contact us today to find cool roof technology that cools your home, your wallet and the environment.
