Do You Have a Cool Roof?

Based on the 6^th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, more than 6 billion people will be exposed to extreme temperatures in all climate types (wet, dry, hot, and cold seasons). This calls for immediate solutions to thwart the effects of extreme temperatures, starting with heat prevention through a cool roof.

If your roof adds to the heat inside your commercial property, it is adding to your high energy bills. It’s time to renovate your roofing system. Do you know if you have a cool roof?

What Is a Cool Roof?

A cool roof is a roofing system that reflects all solar wavelengths – visible, ultraviolet, or infrared rays – and radiates the energy it absorbs from the sun. Its features help lower heat transfer to the building.

Cool roofs used to be just white or some light-colored material, but recent innovations resulted in more aesthetically pleasing dark shades with the same reflective properties. You can have a roofing system that’s as beautiful as it is durable.

Here are the benefits of turning your old roof into a cool roof with roof restoration services.

• Durable topcoat over the existing roof
• Long-lasting protection from the elements
• Energy-efficient roofing
• Improves aging roofs
• Provides UV retardants to reduce thermal shock
• Low energy costs in peak months
• Comes with a 10-year warranty

How Does a Cool Roof Help Energy Efficiency?

Commercial buildings in the United States emit at least 16% of greenhouse gases. Such emissions will accumulate over the years, creating a substantial environmental impact. A cool roof reflects the sun’s rays, which is also the heat source, reducing heat transfer to the building and preserving the cool indoor temperature.

With the cooler indoor environment, your commercial property’s air conditioning system doesn’t need to work doubly hard to keep the temperature low. It translates to lower HVAC energy consumption, costs, and a smaller carbon footprint.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program, a mere 10% improvement in commercial properties’ energy efficiency can bring $40 billion in cost savings.

What Roof Restoration Strategies Can You Do?

1. Roof Recovery – When your roof is slightly damaged or has succumbed to normal wear and tear, you can fix it once. You can replace the old material, fix broken parts, or reattach components. You may also add layers of insulation to achieve thermal efficiency in the hot and cold seasons. If you didn’t have a cool roof at the start, you could transform it by having a reflective coating added.

2. Roof Replacement – A replacement is the best solution if your roof has reached a system failure and no amount of recovery can fix it. This is the best opportunity to upgrade, update, and make your roof cool. Newer roofs have better and thicker insulation as a standard. You can use coated reflective roofing materials or create vegetated roofs (discussed in the following item).
3. Vegetated or Garden Roofs – Garden roofs fulfill the energy efficiency requirements of a building and a whole range of other functions. Building managers can use them to catch and distribute rainwater, preventing roof leaks and puddles. They can also design the space as a usable working area. The plants provide shade and improve air quality around the property and on the floor directly beneath, which helps lower HVAC energy consumption and increase savings.

A Cool Roof Helps Make Your Commercial Property Energy Efficient & Contributes to a Lower Environmental Impact

If you need help with choosing the best solution for your roof restoration project, contact WaterTight Roofing. We work with commercial properties in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Louisiana!