When temperatures rise, it gets more difficult to keep homes
and businesses cool. You might not know that your roof can absorb a lot of
heat. It can also have a time releasing that heat. That’s where a cool roof
comes in. A cool roof can reflect heat away from your home. This type of roof can
also radiate heat in a process called infrared radiation. Your home or business
can benefit in several ways from a cool roof, and the cost is comparable to
traditional roofing materials.
What Is a Cool Roof?
Cool roofs can be made from any traditional roofing
material, though some materials are more suited to cool technology. Slate and
metal roofs don’t convert well to cool technology, but any other type of
shingle or tile will work. You have the option to either install a new roof
with specialized cooling materials, or coat your current roof with a protective
covering to make it cool. While lighter color materials work best for
deflecting sun and drawing heat out of the building, it’s possible to create
darker colored cool roofing materials.
What Climates Are Best For Cool Roofs?
Cool roofs work best in dry areas that get a lot of sunlight
and heat throughout the year, with relatively mild winters. Because cool roofs
both reflect and release heat, your energy costs could go up in the winter with
a cool roof installed. If you live in a warm climate that also gets a lot of
rain or humidity, cool roofs might be more prone to mold and mildew growth. Even
with these issues, cool roof materials can be customized. Roofing materials can
be created to resist moisture or release less heat during colder months.
Benefits of a Cool Roof
Aside from saving you money on cooling costs, cool roofs can
compensate for older or less efficient cooling systems. They’re also a great
option for older homes or buildings with no central air conditioning. This
technology can reduce indoor heat by up to 50%, offsetting the effects of
heatwaves. In more densely populated areas, cool roofs can bring down the
demand on the electrical grid, leading to less brownouts. Lastly, a cool roof
lowers the surface temperature of your roof, helping the shingles or tiles to
last longer.
Green Benefits
Aside from cooling your home or business, did you know that
cool roofs can lower the temperature in urban zones? When the roofs of homes or
businesses all emit too much heat, a heat island effect develops. This effect
can raise the temperature in big cities, making the summer months almost
unbearable. Cool roofing has even been written into the local building codes of
some urban zones in order to combat the heat island effect. Urban emissions are
reduced as well because less energy is being used to cool large buildings.
Health Benefits
Extreme heat causes heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat
stroke, all of which can be deadly. High temperatures also aggravate
pre-existing conditions, like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory
disease. People with these illnesses need reliably cool spaces. Air
conditioners or other cooling systems are prone to breakdowns, especially with
a lot of strain on the grid, but cool roofs rely on natural processes and can’t
fail.
Aesthetics
When it comes to residential roofing, you as a homeowner
might be wary of installing a white or light-colored roof. Most roofing
materials are dark, which could mean an ugly contrast between your homes’
exterior walls and the roof. The technology for cool roofs has improved enough
that reflective roofing materials can be made from darker pigments. These
darker materials work just as well as lighter colors at reflecting sunlight,
but may struggle to draw heat out from the home or building. Even then, darker pigmented
cool roofs can still significantly reduce your energy costs and lower the
temperature of your home.
Cool Roof Costs
For the most part, cool roof installation is comparable to
traditional roof installation. The only time cool roofing may cost more is if
you want to install it onto a roof that’s already in good condition. Even in
this situation, you can opt for cool roof coating instead of installing all new
roof materials. Cool roof coating can cost anywhere from $.75 to $3 per square
foot, a far cry from the cost of re-roofing. Many roofers that offer cool
coating also offer financing options to offset upfront costs. You can also
apply for rebates or incentives that your state might offer for converting to a
cool roof.
A Great Choice
Cool roofs are beneficial because they reduce cooling costs,
are environmentally friendly, and can be applied to any type of building. They
can reduce the temperature in your home, business, or even in your whole city.
Cool roofing materials can be installed in a variety of ways, all of which are
cost-effective. Here at Universal Roofing Specialists, we’re here to meet all of your roofing
needs, whether you’re considering a cool roof or you just need traditional
replacement or repair.