
Cool Roofs for Hot Cities: Reflective Materials to Combat Urban Heat
With a rise in temperature globally, combatting the heat, saving energy, and saving money on energy costs is vital, especially for urban cities. Urban cities tend to experience more heat compared to rural areas because of the number of buildings and other structures that absorb and let off heat. Many efforts are being made to combat this urban heat including an intentional effort to plant more vegetation and trees around the city and planting vegetation on top of buildings. Roofing experts have come up with another effort to cool cities down including the concept of cool roofing. Let’s explore how cool roofs are combating urban heat in hot cities.
Cool Roofing Benefits
The concept of a cool roof is using materials that are reflective so that less heat is absorbed. Logically, these materials are usually lighter in color since lighter colors absorb less heat which in turn transfers less heat to buildings. This makes it easier to cool buildings in the hot summer months and helps lower the temperature in buildings that may not have air conditioning. Smog from air pollution is made worse with higher temperatures. By lowering the amount of heat absorbed, cool roofs can help reduce smog formation in urban areas. In extreme temperatures, power grids must work extremely hard to cool buildings. With cool roofing, the stress on the power grid is lessened which lowers the risk of power outages. Additionally, there are some rebates and financial incentives when home or business owners utilize cool roofing. Saving money on energy costs and receiving incentives should encourage many to install cool roofs in urban areas.
Cool Roofing Material and Design
Finding the best material, color, and design is crucial when considering cool roofing. Roofing contractors can walk clients through the best options when looking to install cool roofing materials. There are some factors to consider when choosing a cool roof material and design including the slope of the roof, building size, humidity level, and the overall cost. The weight of the roofing materials is another important factor to consider since some buildings may not be able to withstand the weight of certain cool roofing materials. Most of the cool roof options are going to be light in color, with materials including metal roofs, coated roofs, concrete tiles, membrane coverings, fabric coverings, spray foam, tile with solar reflecting materials, and more. Considering the qualifications for certain rebates and financial incentives is crucial when selecting cool roofing material and design. Many of these programs require strict adherence to their guidelines to receive the financial benefits.
Final Thoughts
Finding ways to cool down hot urban cities provides numerous benefits on a small and large scale. Innovators are constantly looking for ways to mitigate the effects of warmer climates, save energy, and save money. While cool roofing does not solve all energy related issues, roofing companies know that it is a step in the right direction. While the many options for cool roofing may seem overwhelming, roofing experts can walk clients through the best choice for their home or business.