Reflective Roof Coatings Can Save You Money!

If you live in the sunshine state then you understand how much the sun has an effect on your cooling bills. A dark or darker-colored roof can have a temperature of  close to 180°F on a regular sunny day—not to mention those days when the heat waves have become relentless as is common in July and August. It is prudent for Floridians to think about changing the color of their roofs to save on energy costs.

Having a white rooftop or placing a white coating over the existing roof will work to reflect the heat of the sun making the attic and top floor of the home cooler, and thus making the entire residence cooler. Most businesses in Florida have already moved to white painted flat building coverings for this reason. Moreover, a white or light-colored roof will also have the advantage of lasting longer than one with a darker color. The constant expansion of roofing tiles and materials, and then the retraction against at nightfall have an effect over time, wearing down the materials and thus being replaced quicker. The cooler the roof, the longer the roofing materials will last.

A recent study out of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory provided ample evidence to the fact that the implementation of white or “cool coverings” along with “cool pavements” can work to cancel the heating effect of CO2 and help address the rise of global warming. So not only can a lighter-colored top help you save in your cooling costs, but also provide you with the opportunity to do your part to help save the planet.

When looking for materials, those with albedo or a “high solar reflectance” are preferable. Very few are colors other than white. Some choose to tile with cool tiles, while others apply coatings to their current tiles. While this does not last as long as a created white covering, it can provide a reflectance that is 80% greater than that of a normal asphalt tile. One reason that white roofs work better than aluminum roofing is that aluminum will retain heat and stay warmer during nighttime hours than the standard white top. White rooftops will radiate heat back out into the atmosphere. 

Those looking to cut their cooling bills, while also doing something positive for the environment will want to check out white rooftops.