A cold roof is a type of roof that has a high capacity to reflect solar radiation (both visible, infrared and ultraviolet), thus reducing heat conduction into the building. In addition, it has a high thermal emittance, allowing the release of solar energy that has not been reflected.
A Berkeley Lab study, based on NASA data, concluded that implementing cool roof techniques in all cities in the Northern Hemisphere could be equivalent to removing more than billion tons of carbon dioxide. Surprising, right? This is more than annual global carbon emissions.
How do Cold Roofs work?
Urban areas, particularly large cities, often Phone Number List suffer from the "heat island effect." This phenomenon occurs when cities retain so much heat during the day that they fail to cool completely at night. As a result, they start the next day with a surplus of heat from the previous day.
Traditional dark roofs, especially in hot cities, can reach really high temperatures in summer. On the other hand, a cool roof not only reflects visible light, but also minimizes infrared radiation, helping to reduce internal and external temperatures.
Construction site – waterproofing and insulation pvc terrace
Benefits beyond cooling
A cool roof is not just a reflective surface. According to Berkeley Lab, these roofs offer:
Cooler outside air : They reduce the temperature of urban air, combating the heat island effect.
Fewer emissions from power plants : They decrease energy demand for cooling, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Better air quality : They help stop the formation of ozone at ground level.
Slowing down climate change : Less heat is absorbed into the Earth's surface.
Energy and cost savings : In summer, less energy is needed to cool buildings.
Improved interior comfort : Cool roofs especially benefit buildings without air conditioning.
Additionally, companies like M are developing cool roofing materials in dark colors that reflect up to % of solar energy, twice as much as conventional shingles.
House with white roof reflected in lake
Boosting Cool Roofs
While there are cities around the world that have adopted building codes that favor cool roofs, the question is: Why isn't there a global transition toward this strategy? Political decisions can accelerate the adoption of this technology, just as they have done with electric vehicles.