How Cool Roof Works

Compared to traditional roofs a reflective roof has a high albedo or solar reflectance.

How cool roof works.

Cool roofs reduce the thermal radiation of heat into the atmosphere convection of heat into outside air and the conduction of heat into the building. Roof temperature is rated via solar reflectance and thermal emittance with ratings ranging between 0 and 1. How cool roofs work traditional dark colored roofing ma terials absorb sunlight making them warm in the sun and increasing the need for air conditioning. It also slows the formation of ground level ozone and smog.

The surface of a cool roof reflects more sunlight and releases more heat than a so called hot or dark roof. This lowers urban air temperatures and mitigates the urban heat island effect. Cool roofs reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than traditional roofs. White or special cool color roofs absorb less sunlight stay cooler in the sun and transmit less heat into the building.

On the other hand cool roofs stay cooler in the sun and transmit less heat into the building. Historically cool roofs have been either white or some other lighter shade color. You can usually make a new or existing roof cool by selecting the appropriate surface. Coatings are like very thick paints that can protect the roof surface from ultra violet uv light and chemical damage and some offer water protection and restorative features.

A cool roof is a roof designed to maintain a lower surface temperature in bright sunshine than a traditional roof source. It begins with the rafters and continues on in layers of protection that prevent water and the wind from damaging your home. How your roof works your roof is not just made up of a few shingles. Cool roof coatings are white or special reflective pigments that reflect sunlight.

A higher albedo means that a roof has a higher ability to reflect the sun s rays and thus reflects more sunlight than traditional roofs. This results in lower absorption of solar heat and a cooler roof. On top of the rafters your roof has plywood followed by sheathing a material that s designed to protect your home from moisture. Cool roofs are designed to reflect sunlight while absorbing less heat.

Whereas darker traditional roofing materials absorb sunlight the reflective surfaces of a cool roof reflect it away. The right underlayment for your roof will keep moisture cold weather and stifling summer air out giving your roof a longer life. Traditional dark colored roofing materials strongly absorb heat from sunlight making them warm in the sun and heating the building.