The roof of your home can work to both protect your home from the elements and to keep it cool. The key is choosing a cool roofing material.
Cool Roofing Basics
Cool roofs come in a few different types, but they all work using the same basic principle. The roof is made in a manner that allows it to reflect away heat and solar radiation. It is also insulated to help prevent solar gain, as well as well vented so that heat doesn't build up in the attic space.
There are two ratings to look for when determining if a roof is a cool roof — solar reflectance (SR) and thermal emittance (TE). SR refers to the amount of light reflected away by the roof, while TE is how much heat escapes through proper ventilation. Roofing materials have their SR and TE ratings listed. The higher the number, the better the roof qualifies as a cool roof.
Benefits of a Cool Roof
There are many reasons to get a cool roof. The number one reason is comfort, as the roof will effectively keep your home cooler in the hot summer. The main benefit of a cool roof for many people, though, is lower summer energy bills. A cool roof will also lower some maintenance costs, such as by reducing stress on the home's AC system.
Some benefits are less obvious, but important nonetheless. Cool roofs can improve air quality, as they don't heat up as badly as other roofs. They will also reduce the heat island effect in your immediate neighborhood, which can be beneficial for everyone.
Basic Cool Roof Types
There are a few types of cool roofs. On a sloped residential roof, the options are typically asphalt shingles or metal roofing panels. The cool roof varieties are both insulated and coated to aid in keeping the home cool. Existing roofs can also sometimes be coated with a UV reflective paint. This allows you to enjoy some of the benefits of a cool roof even if you don't currently need to replace the roof.
For flat roofs, any standard residential flat roofing system can typically be installed as a cool roof. Look for lighter or white-colored roofing membranes that have a UV reflective coating applied. Foam roofs and membrane roofs are the preferred option for most residential flat cool roofs.
Contact a residential roofer if you want to learn more about cool roofs or other residential roofing solutions.
