Reflective Cool Roof Materials

Aluminum roof coatings.

Reflective cool roof materials.

Owens corning cool roof collection shingles are specially designed to reflect the sun s energy and absorb less heat than standard shingles without limiting your color options. Compared to the 30 solar reflectance of asphalt shingles that s a dramatic difference. Reflective roof coatings act like mirrors reflecting the sun s radiant energy back into space. A high solar reflectance or albedo is the most important characteristic of a cool roof as it helps to reflect sunlight and heat away from a building reducing roof temperatures.

Commercial cool roof options include bright white membranes and white coatings. This can lower roof surface temperature by up to 50f decreasing the amount of heat transferred into a building. Pigmented coatings are less efficient than white coatings. Cool roof reflective coatings white roof coatings are opaque and reflective consisting of polymeric materials and some types of white pigment.

Residential roofing options include asphalt shingles metal clay tiles and concrete tiles. Up to 70 when paired with a colored reflective coating. Cool roofs can be made of a highly reflective type of paint a sheet covering or highly reflective tiles or shingles. Solar reflective shingles range between 2 and 3 per square foot depending on manufacturer and vendor.

These typically come in mid range colors such as medium browns and grays. With the recent release of cool shingles like the timberline cool series from gaf and the 1 500 energy star tax credit for cool roofing materials many folks are asking whether the any energy savings are worth the additional cost. Darker shades such as red green and blue reflect only 20. Energy star certified roof products reflect more of the sun s rays.

A high thermal emittance also plays a role particularly in climates that are warm and sunny. Another factor is whether you opt to use standard roofing materials in light colors or install solar reflective shingles. A cool roof under the same conditions could stay more than 50 f cooler and save energy and money by using less air conditioning. High albedo products such as bright white paint are the most effective with a solar reflectance of 85.

Cool metal roofing is a popular cool roofing material as it can offer more than twice the solar reflectance of traditional asphalt roofing. Standard or dark roofs can reach temperatures of 150 f or more in the summer sun. The owens corning cool roof collection helps keep your roof cooler for a more comfortable home.