Many homes across the United States have what’s called a “cool roof.” Of course, this term doesn’t mean that their roof wears sunglasses and hangs out with the popular crowd – or, whatever your definition of being “cool” is! A cool roof is one that’s specially designed to keep the house cooler than the average roof. That goal is usually accomplished by a top layer of paint, a sheet covering, or tiles that are highly reflective, preventing heat absorption.
In many climates, cool roof technology can be a tremendous saving in cooling expenses. In addition, since there is less demand for electricity during peak hours, cool roofs can help to prevent power outages and even reduce power plant emissions. As you might expect, cool roof surfaces are most beneficial in hot climates. On the other hand, they can be a detriment to homes in colder climates, since the roof’s heat absorption is a good thing during winter.
