By absorbing less sunlight than either green or black roofs white roofs offset a portion of the warming effect from greenhouse gas emissions.
Importance of white roofs.
White roofs reflect a tremendous amount of the sun s rays.
It has long been known that installing white roofs helps reduce heat buildup in cities.
Department of energy there is widespread belief that white reflective roofing systems even on buildings in northern cities like new york and chicago are more efficient and more cost effective than dark roofing and that these systems also reduce global warming and the heat island effect in which dark colored building materials raise the ambient temperature in urban areas by a few degrees in summer.
If you re in a very cold climate your roof if probably covered by reflective white snow for most of the winter regardless.
A home with a white roof maintains a temperature cooler than that of the outside air.
So in other words installing a roof that is white or reflective helps save energy and money.
Greg luna is president of luna associates provider of products and services to commercial building roofing contractors specifiers and owners.
But new research indicates that making surfaces more light reflecting can have a significant impact on lowering extreme temperatures not just in cities but in rural areas as well.
So what does this mean for you.
White roofs are becoming quite popular these days as they come with a number of benefits.
Light colored materials reflect heat while dark roofs such as those made of asphalt and tar absorb heat driving up air conditioning consumption in order to offset it.
There is an effect known as a.
A british visitor to bermuda will feel instantly.
He is a member of csi.
As we all know energy conservation is a serious issue and it is important to find eco friendly ways to build homes commercial buildings etc.
However insulating underlayment does the bulk of the work as far as keeping temperatures down is concerned.
The heating penalty associated with white roofs and the importance of geographic climate are important issues of which american building owners need to be aware.
White roofs are better for your heating bill and the planet.
The secret is in the design of their houses and particularly the white stepped roof which is still in use 400 years after it was first introduced.
White roofs don t absorb as much heat which greatly extends the life of the roofing material.
From leed the cool roof rating council and energy star program all the way up to the u s.