How Do Cool Roofs Work?

Cool roofing products were first developed some 20 years ago, and their use on commercial, industrial and residential buildings has grown exponentially over the years. Cool roofing can be installed not just on flat or low-slope roofs, but also on residential and retail buildings that require steep-sloped roofs.

Dark Roofs

Roofs are traditionally built using dark-colored roofing materials that will typically absorb the heat from sunlight and, in turn, heat up the entire building underneath. Having a dark roof is similar to wearing a dark shirt on a hot day; in both instances, the dark-colored material absorbs heat.

Reflective Roofs

On the other hand, if you install concrete tile roofing as your cool roofing, it will reflect more solar energy from the sun and absorb less heat than traditional roofs. Such roofs stay cooler under the hot sun, allowing much less heat into the building. 

Properties for Coolness

Two properties that can help determine the “coolness” of a roof include solar reflectance, or the ability to reflect sunlight, and thermal emittance, or the ability to cool down by emitting absorbed heat. Both of these properties are measured on a scale of 0 to 1 (0% -100%), where the higher values indicate how cool the roof is bound to be. These two properties help roofs absorb less heat and stay up to 50 degrees to 60 degrees cooler than conventional rooftops during the peak of summer.

Benefits of Cool Roofs

Cool roofs provide a number of benefits beyond urban heat island mitigation, including:

• Efficient use of energy: The building under a cool roof can stay cooler because the roof will transfer less heat to the building below, reducing the need for air conditioning.

• Reduced pollution and emissions: Lower energy use translates to an overall reduction in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions as well.

• Human health and comfort: Reduced air temperatures inside buildings can help prevent heat-related illnesses.

To learn more about cool roofing for your home in Denver, call Jack the Roofer today at (720) 722-2255. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule a free, in-home consultation.