There are three main categories of cool roofing.
Light Colors
Light colors are inherently reflective. White vinyl roofs are the best cool roofing material with the highest reflectance. A white vinyl roof can reflect more than 70{ff882d4eb6091d566c8a162c82f473740a0c818667a1dc828a28ecc778b3b6ed} of suns radiation compared to asphalt based roofing that can reflect 26{ff882d4eb6091d566c8a162c82f473740a0c818667a1dc828a28ecc778b3b6ed} on the high end. Many asphalt roofing reflect as low as 6{ff882d4eb6091d566c8a162c82f473740a0c818667a1dc828a28ecc778b3b6ed} of the suns radiation. This ability of the white vinyl roofing prevents heat from radiating into the building. That amount of heat when deflected spells substantial savings in energy costs.
Reflective Coatings
For existing roofs that do not need replacement, but must be heat reflective, there are reflective roof coating products that can give the roof radiation reflective qualities when applied over the current roofing system. Anything that is lightly colored deflects heat, the lighter the color, the better the quality to not absorb the heat. This is also the principle why people in tropical countries wear white and other lightly colored garments. If you want to eventually have a cool roof but are currently unable to do so, paint your roof white. Many excellent house designs use this color. A white roof is a good alternative to a cool roof until the day that you can install one.
Green Roofs
Green Roofs are typically rooftops that are grassy or are planted with shrubs, cactus, and sedums. Green roofs were in wide use before modern architectural concepts took place. Germany spearheaded the green roof revival in the 60’s and green roofs have been gaining a steady popularity among modern homeowners everywhere.
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