Reflective roofing coatings reduce solar heat and cooling costs, extend roof life by up to 15 years, and block UV rays. High albedo products are the most effective, and the Cool Roof Rating Council provides Energy Star labels to quality products. Costs range from $0.75 to over $3 per square foot.
Reflective roofing coatings, also known as albedo coatings, are products applied to roofs to reduce solar heat, especially in areas with warm climates that are sunny most of the year. Because they can reduce surface temperatures by up to 80°F (about 45°C), these products also have a large impact on cooling costs. The Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory in California estimates that reflective coatings can save homeowners as little as 25% in energy consumption.
Another benefit of reflective roofing coatings is that they contain pigments that block UV rays. Because UV rays age a roof considerably, the use of reflective coatings can extend the life of your roof by up to 15 years. This is especially true in buildings with low pitch or flat roofs, which tend to absorb solar energy to a greater extent than pitched roofs. Since roof maintenance accounts for more than 80% of the total maintenance cost of a building, any product that can extend the life of the roof will result in substantial savings.
Reflective roof coatings act like mirrors, reflecting the sun’s radiant energy back into space. To evaluate the level of reflexivity of different products, manufacturers have devised a classification system. High albedo products such as brilliant white paint are the most effective, with a solar reflectance of 85%.
Some of the materials used for roofing include: elastomeric, polyurethane and acrylic paints; single-layer roofing sheets made of rubber, plastic or PVC; clay or concrete tiles; and metal, available in both natural and dark slabs. Some materials can be applied easily with a roller, such as paints, while others, such as PVC sheeting, require the use of a professional putty or heat seal. If cost is a consideration, titanium dioxide white paint and aluminum foil are the best choices. They are cheap, easy to apply and require little maintenance.
Since 1998, the Cool Roof Rating Council, or CRRC, has provided the Energy Star label to roofing products that pass quality tests. As roofing coatings tend to lose their reflectance properties over time to dust and dew, regular maintenance, in the form of reapplications or cleanings, is a must.
Costs for reflective roofing coatings range from $0.75 US Dollars (USD) per square foot for acrylic paints to over $3 USD per square foot for single-layer PVC membranes. The price usually includes both materials and installation. While the initial price of roofing is usually higher than a traditional roof, the savings on your energy bill more than justify the extra expense.
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