The Department of Energy defines cool roofs as commercial or residential roof installation services and products “designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than a standard roof.” There are many ways to get a cool roof. Some experts might even suggest some DIY projects to help make your roof “cooler.” However, official certification from LEED, ENERGY STAR and the U.S. Green Building Council requires roofs to meet certain performance standards in order to be classified as a cool roof.
Let our roofing specialists at Creative Construction Group show you a few ways you can save on your utility bills by transforming your roof into a cool roof.
There are two main criteria that roofs must meet in order to be considered as cool roofs: solar reflectance and emissivity. These two are measured on a scale of one to 10. The higher the ratings your roof has, the “cooler” it is considered.
Solar reflectance is a roof’s ability to reflect sunlight away from your home. This is typically accomplished better by light-colored roofing materials than by darker roofs. UV rays can increase wear and tear and may cause you to need more frequent residential roof repair services.
Heat emissivity measures how much a roof “releases” the heat it has absorbed throughout the day.
Your choice of roofing material greatly defines your roof’s solar reflectance and emissivity. For example, modified bitumen or asphalt shingles perform very poorly on emissivity, but they can be made to have high reflectance by choosing lighter shades instead of darker colors. Ask your professional what type of roof is best for your home so you can start having a cool roof right away.
Make your roof cooler with our residential and commercial roof replacement experts at Creative Construction Group. We are your trusted local provider of roofing, siding and other exterior remodeling products and services. Give us a call at