Dark surfaces tend to soak the heat up in the sun, while the lighter surface remains cooler- it's very basic scientific fact. It is primarily because black colors absorb all wavelengths of light, while surfaces reflect them back. Being said that, it makes a lot of sense to ditch the dark-colored shingles on your roof as they are just absorbing heat and making your air conditioning system to work hard to maintain a comfortable temperature inside the home.
Many energy professionals may recommend a roof surface painted white or any other light color can reduce energy consumption, and therefore, ideal for homeowners. Generally, such recommendations are given to homeowners living in hot climates- area and struggling with cooling costs. So, a cool roof or white roof only makes sense in case you are living in a hot area where excess solar radiation is a problem.
Many energy professionals may recommend a roof surface painted white or any other light color can reduce energy consumption, and therefore, ideal for homeowners. Generally, such recommendations are given to homeowners living in hot climates- area and struggling with cooling costs. So, a cool roof or white roof only makes sense in case you are living in a hot area where excess solar radiation is a problem.
Cool roofs are very popular as an innovative energy-cutting solution. Since black roofs absorb heat, they increase the urban heat island effect. So, such roofs raise surrounding temperatures in dense metropolitan areas, which in turn increases the need for air conditioning and other cooling appliances. In case, the roof is painted white, the effect would be minimal.
Here we are discussing the pros and cons of using white roof coatings to help you decide whether or not this is right for you-
Benefits of White-colored Roofs
If you opt for a light-colored roof on your home, you will immediately experience a change in the performance of your cooling equipment and energy bills. So here are some common benefits that you will get with a light-colored roof-
Here we are discussing the pros and cons of using white roof coatings to help you decide whether or not this is right for you-
Benefits of White-colored Roofs
If you opt for a light-colored roof on your home, you will immediately experience a change in the performance of your cooling equipment and energy bills. So here are some common benefits that you will get with a light-colored roof-
- A light-colored roof may reduce the temperature of the surface by up to 50-degree. The cooler your roof surface remains, the better its chance of lasting.
- Cool roofs limit the amount of heat transferred into your home, which means you do not need air conditioning systems.
- As you will not use air conditioning, you will save more on your utilities.
While you can always choose to install light-colored shingles during re-roofing, but many homeowners choose to retrofit their roofs using white roof coatings. the cool roof made out of silicone, acrylic or polymer liquid that look and feel like a very thick paint. Unlike light-colored shingles, they are specially formulated to reflect light and heat. These light-colored coats contain UV resistant materials that protect your roof from sun damage.
Before you paint your roof with the light color, just make sure you clean it thoroughly with a pressure washer. It will ensure that no dirt or grit will present in the paint to counteract the heat-reducing benefits. You should also check for loose, broken or even missing shingles as well. Just make sure you detect any damage you see before you start painting the roof.
White roof coatings contain high reflective pigments to make sure the sun’s heat is absorbed as little as possible. This allows your home to remain cooler, offering cost savings on energy consumption apart from keeping it cool. The high reflective pigments in white roof coatings also lengthen the lifespan of the roof by reflecting the damaging UV rays away from the home. The UV rays are the primary cause of roof degradation because the intense heat breaks down and dries out ingredients that allow your roof to expand and contract during weather and temperature fluctuations. Therefore, the highly reflective white roof coatings protect the roof from cracks and aging prematurely
When You Should Opt For White Roofs?
As said before, light-colored roofs offer great benefits to homeowners live in a very hot climate. However, if you live in a humid area or subtropical area, it is possible that white roof coatings increase the presence of mold and algae. it is because the surface would not be hot enough to prevent the growth, and algae can cause serious damage to your roof over time. In colder climates, a white roof may also catch condensation, which will adversely affect your roof.
All-in-all, it is worth comparing the pros and cons of the light-colored roof before you choose to install one on your residence.
