How cool roofing can help reduce energy costs

By Robin Anderson, technical and strategy development manager, Westlake Royal Building Products.

Small steps can lead to big savings, and cool roof colors and a cool roof system do just that.

Roofing systems already play a critical role in protecting the home, but what if they can do even more to bolster resilience and save homeowners money? Specifying cool roof materials and methods can provide added durability while helping to keep homes cooler and lowering energy costs.

Here’s what contractors should know.

What are cool roof colors?

Cool roof color tiles utilize specialized pigments that help reflect the sun’s solar energy, varying significantly based on the roofing material and manufacturer. These cool colors are often listed with the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC), an independent organization that lists products that have been rigorously tested for their solar reflectance and thermal emittance.

Cool roof colors provide effective temperature regulation, keeping the building cooler even in the hottest weather and helping lower energy bills by easing reliance on air conditioning systems.

More broadly, cool roof colors help reduce CO² and other emissions associated with fossil fuel-generated electricity, which can contribute to a greener environment.

Along with direct savings, the lower surface temperature of a cool roof color can help maintain the quality of the roof and extend its service life, minimizing the need for frequent repairs or replacements. To the left, is an example of a cool roof color. This is Stirling in the Pacific Tile profile, one of four cool roof colors available from Unified Steel.

What is a cool roof system?

Available in combination with cool roof colors or any color, the Westlake Royal cool roof system pairs Unified Steel, Newpoint Concrete and US Tile roofing with components and procedures that provide superior insulation, ventilation and longevity. This helps keep the home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. To the right is one of many cool roof colors available for Newpoint Concrete Roof Tile. In particualr, shown here is the Barcelona profile in Buckskin.

The makeup of a cool roof system varies slightly based on roofing material.

As hot air rises by natural convection, a cool roof system allows the warm air to rise and exit through the ridge vent, drawing outside ambient air across the roof deck. This continuous airflow creates a cooler attic and living space in the home. The animation to the right shows this process.

Testing by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) revealed that the Elevated Batten System on a dark roof is just as important as reflective roofs in achieving energy efficiency. ORNL’s 12-month study on the effects of infrared-reflective (IRR) pigments vs. metal roofs installed with an airspace showed above-sheathing ventilation can reduce heat flow into a building by nearly 30% (the Cool Roof Technical Bulletin with a complete report is available for download).

Energy efficiency made easy

Small steps can lead to big savings, and cool roof colors and a cool roof system do just that. By focusing on durability, energy efficiency and environmental responsibility, homeowners and building professionals can achieve long-term value and optimal performance.

To learn more about cool roof options, visit Westlake Royal’s cool roof page.