If your house is in a hot climate, you’ll understand the importance of keeping your roof cool. Keeping your house’s roof cool isn’t solely about comfort. The temperature also affects the interiors and the structure of the house.
According to statistics, conventional roofs can reach temperatures of 150°F on a hot summer afternoon in the US.
Therefore, it’s important to know some useful tips and tricks that will help to keep the temperatures cooler. So, come on, let’s check out some unique rooftop cooling solutions!
1. Cool Roof Designs
A “cool roof” is specially designed to maintain moderate roof temperatures in hot and humid areas. Its temperatures are nearly 50°F cooler than those of a traditional roof since its surface reflects more sunlight and releases more heat rather than absorbing it.
The term “cool roof” is conventionally used to describe any roof that is cooler than a standard rooftop, but there are different certifications like LEED, Energy Star, and the Department of Energy Building Technology Program that have special criteria.
These organizations base their credentials of a cool roof based on the material’s ability to reflect the sun ( solar reflectance) and the released absorbed heat ( emissivity).
The higher these two numbers between 0 and 1, the cooler the roof. So, zero represents the truest black, and 1 represents the truest white.
2. Reflective Roof Coatings
Cool roof materials that contain reflective roof coatings are a game-changer when it comes to rooftop cooling solutions.
These coatings use advanced technology to reflect sunlight away from the rooftop, reducing the amount of heat absorbed.
Reflective roofing materials typically use a water-based acrylic or PUD formula that contains a high solid strength.
For example, there are cool roof materials that contain triple action technology, which combines reflection, nano insulation, and fiber-reinforced strength.
This unique combination not only reflects more sunlight but also increases insulation through nanoparticles. The added fibers reinforce the durability of the roof so that it can stay sturdy for years.
Furthermore, these reflective coatings can prevent UV degradation, which improves resistance against harsh weather.
3. Modified Bitumen
Cool roof requirements are based on the slope of the roof, whereas low-sloped roofs have more stringent guidelines. Those that have a height of less than 2 feet or 0.6 meters in height for every 12 horizontal feet are considered low-slop roofs. High-slope roofs have a rise of more than 2 feet.
One of the most common roof cooling methods for low-sloped roofs is modified bitumen. It is made of plasticized or rubber-based asphalt held together by reinforced fabric. It is then attached to the roof using hot asphalt or a cool adhesive.
Traditional modified bitumen is black or grey and has low solar reflectance. But if you add white paint or coating on the surface of the material, the roof becomes much cooler and matches the acceptable cool roof standards.
4. Green Roofing
Today, the world is increasingly moving towards a more sustainable future, especially since the ozone layer is being depleted due to the emission of greenhouse gases.
These gases raise the temperature of the planet, which reduces the ability of rooftops to deflect sunlight.
One unique rooftop cooling solution is to go green by planting vegetation and plants on the roof. Green roofs are popular, especially in California, and act as natural insulators that absorb maximum sunlight and reduce the amount of heat absorbed inside the house.
This natural method of insulation helps to maintain moderate temperatures inside the house and is also safer than other cooling methods.
Moreover, it decreases the need to install/use air conditioning. You can increase biodiversity in your environment, which is a step towards a healthier future.
5. Single-Ply Membrane
Another common cool roofing method is a single-ply membrane, which consists of prefabricated plastic or vinyl sheets coated with solar-reflective coatings or paint.
The sheets can be easily rolled on the rooftop and attached to the surface using adhesives. You can also use mechanical fasteners or ballast like gravel or pavers to attach the single-ply membranes.
The biggest advantage of these membranes is that they don’t need any additional coatings or materials. The roof-cooling properties are embedded in the product itself, which significantly reduces costs.
There are different types of single-ply membranes available in the market, but the three most common ones are polyvinyl chloride or PVC, ethylene propylene diene monomer or EPDM, and thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO).
6. Solar Panels
Solar panels are another efficient way to keep rooftops cool. They use renewable sources of energy, which is a much better alternative to non-renewable options, such as plastic materials.
Solar panels can generate sunlight from electricity, which reduces reliance on alternatives like fossil fuels. This not only keeps the roof cooler but also lowers carbon emissions.
They also provide shade on the roof they’re installed on, which helps ward off sunlight emissions. The shade reduces direct exposure of the sun’s rays on the rooftop, which also minimizes the chances of heat entering into the interiors.
Moreover, you can save lots of money on electricity bills because solar panels can generate electricity even at night!
7. Mist Cooling Systems
For houses located in hot, dry climates, a mist cooling system is the perfect solution. This is also a good alternative to installing expensive shingles, panels, or other coating materials.
Also known as an evaporative cooling system, all you have to do is install a water hose or mist generator that will spray cool jets of mist periodically. Or you can also ask a professional to install a mist-generating machine.
As the mist settles on the rooftop, it evaporates due to the sunlight, which lowers the rooftop’s temperatures.
This is quite similar to lowering the body temperature through sweating, where only a very small amount of water is enough to cool the roof.
You can also install the mist generator on your deck or patio to cool the house. The sophisticated cooling mist systems consist of a mist generator with a built-in thermostat.
Conclusion
In addition to the methods mentioned, you can also try installing roof ventilators to improve airflow and reduce the buildup of heat on the rooftop and in the interiors.
If you want more information about roof cooling systems, ask a roof maintenance professional today! Don’t know whom to seek help? Contact us at LA Roofing Materials, and we’ll introduce you to the industry’s leading roofers!