When it’s time for your roof replacement, there are an overwhelming number of factors to consider. Do you stick to your original roofing material or explore other options? What color will look best with your home’s siding? What are your neighbors choosing? Do you need to consider a homeowners’ association or other local regulations? What extreme weather conditions do you experience that could damage the roof?
For homeowners looking to replace their roof, cool roof technology offers a smart, sustainable choice that can save money, improve comfort and contribute to a healthier planet.
A cool roof is designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat compared to a conventional roof. This is achieved through two key properties: high solar reflectance and high thermal emittance. High solar reflectance ensures that a significant portion of the sun’s energy is reflected away from the building, while high thermal emittance allows the roof to shed any absorbed heat efficiently. Together, these properties help reduce roof temperatures, lower the heat transferred inside the building and decrease the surrounding ambient air temperature.
These properties are combined into a single metric called the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI). The SRI value, ranging from 0 to 100, provides a comprehensive measure of the roof’s ability to stay cool in the sun. The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) measures each property after the product is initially developed and again after three years of outdoor exposure.
The heat island effect refers to the phenomenon where urban areas experience significantly higher temperatures than their rural surroundings. This is primarily due to human activities and the prevalence of dark, heat-absorbing surfaces like asphalt roofs and pavements. These surfaces absorb and retain heat, increasing local temperatures and exacerbating the demand for cooling energy in buildings.
Low-income communities often bear the brunt of the heat island effect, as they are typically located in densely populated areas and concrete jungles. These communities also face higher energy costs and health risks due to increased temperatures. By adopting cool roof technology, we can help mitigate these effects, providing equitable benefits to residents by reducing ambient temperatures and improving air quality.
According to the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC), increasing the reflectivity of urban surfaces can have a substantial cooling effect on the atmosphere. If widely adopted, cool roofs could offset the warming effect of 44-57 billion metric tons of emitted carbon dioxide, equivalent to more than half of the annual global CO2 emissions in 2022. This highlights the significant role cool roofs can play in combating human impact on the environment and enhancing community health.
PABCO offers products that not only improve energy efficiency through cool roof technology but also enhance the aesthetic appeal of homes. The Premier Radiance line of solar reflective shingles is designed to reflect heat-producing ultraviolet rays from the sun back into the atmosphere, reducing heat transfer into your home and keeping it cooler.
One standout feature of PABCO's cool roof products is their unique color offering. While true black is impossible to achieve in a cool roof due to its inherent nature of absorbing all light, PABCO has developed the darkest cool roof color available on the market for asphalt shingles. This allows you to enjoy the look and feel of traditional black shingles while still benefiting from the energy-efficient properties of a cool roof. With PABCO, you truly get the best of both worlds — shingles that help improve the environment and maintain the desired aesthetic of your home.
Available in four rich colors, Premier Radiance® shingles ensure that homeowners do not have to compromise on style for the sake of functionality. They meet the UL790 Class A Fire Resistance Standard and certain colors are equipped with Algae Defender® for added durability. Additionally, Premier Radiance® shingles come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty, providing homeowners with peace of mind and long-term protection.
Original article source: PABCO