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How reflective roofing save energy?

reflective roofing

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The roof of a building or a house plays a vital role in maintaining energy efficiency. Roof not only offers shelter to the entire building but also affects the temperature of its interiors. Home roofs come in a variety of materials and colors. According to a professional roofing company the material of your roof has a lot to do with the temperature and energy efficiency of the house.

Moreover, roofs are coated with a material that can reflect light and heat. The more the light and heat they reflect, the better the temperature they maintain and vice versa. Let us dive deeper into the effects of roofing material and coating on the energy efficiency of a house.

How reflective roofing works

The roofs coated with a reflective coating reflect most of the light and UV rays into the atmosphere. Also, the reflective coating prevents the roof from heating and the heat does not enter the building at least from the roof. So, it is easy for the air conditioning system to maintain the temperature of the interiors of a house. This means you have to run your AC more in the summer to heat the building simply because the sun is shining. A transparent roof prevents these UV rays from reaching the building and thereby decreases the amount of heat coming in.

Percentage of reflection

What percentage of the UV rays is reflected by the reflective coatings of a roof? About 88 percent of UV rays are reflected off a white silicone roof, based on several EPA reports. Contrast this with an average of 17 percent for non-reflective buildings, which is a significant boost. It can be the difference in roof temperature of about 60 degrees. That can vary between 20 and 30 degrees below the roof, depending on your insulation in your house.

Protection of the roof

A reflective roof coating system can channel the bulk of the sun’s harmful UV rays away from the surface of the roofs, shielding the roof against premature corrosion and aging, thus increasing the roof’s lifespan. The extreme heat and UV rays of the sun are the main causes of roof problems ranging from blisters to roof erosion and eventually leakage.

It is because, without a reflective roof coating system or Cool Roof, the surface of the roofs would absorb the heat and UV rays from the sun allowing the roof to age prematurely by drying out the roof surface. It causes the membrane to become brittle, to break down, and to chalk. During temperature variations, the roof then loses its ability to stay flexible, causing tears and rips in the membrane.

Reduced energy cost

Cool roof systems have a slightly cooler temperature inside the building as they can protect the roof from receiving the sun’s heat. Therefore there is less heat transfer from the roof into the building, enabling the building to maintain a cooler air temperature for a more extended period without using air conditioning.

The material of the roof

The material of a roof also plays a vital role in the maintenance of the energy efficiency of a building. Asphalt, metal, and concrete are the most common materials used for making roofs of houses. However, the asphalt shingles are not good at reflecting heat and absorb most of the heat and light.

Metal roofs are highly reflective, and they reflect most of the heat and light despite getting very hot in the sun. Therefore, most of the heat does not enter the house as these roofs are insulated from below. Therefore, metal roofs are suitable for installing and making a home energy efficient. Now coating the metal roof with reflective paint improves the energy efficiency of the house.

Tile roofs are another popular choice for homeowners. Tiles are made up of different materials such as clay, concrete, or slate. Most tiles come with their natural color as coated by the manufacturer. However, to improve the reflectivity, homeowners can paint them with a reflective coating.

Concrete roofs are usually flat, and they are the easiest to coat. Painting them in a white reflective coat helps reduce the absorption of heat and light, thereby keeping the homes cool.

Types of reflective coatings

There are a variety of coatings for the roofs, and most of them change the visual appearance of a roof. Some coatings may not be the best match for your roof and may not contribute much to the curb appeal of your home. However, you can choose pigmented coatings that are less effective than highly reflective coatings, but still, work to make your home energy efficient.

Insulating the roofs

Adding a reflective coating is an attempt to enhance the energy efficiency of a house, but homeowners need some extra additions. A reflective coating reflects 50 to 70 percent of the heat, but some heat enters the house to make it warm. Homeowners can add some type of insulation under the roofs to prevent the entry of heat into their interiors. There are a variety of insulation materials that are installed according to the type of roof type and material.

Final Words

Reflective coatings can help homeowners to enhance the energy efficiency of their homes. However, it should be done by a professional service provider. The roof painting Brisbane services help people in and around Brisbane with roof coatings and house painting. In addition to the roof coatings, homeowners should also take care of insulation of doors and windows to maintain the energy efficiency of their homes.

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