Cool Roofs
White painted roofs have been popular since ancient times in places like Greece. Similar technology can be easy to adapt to modern homes and other buildings.
©iStockphoto/PhotoTalk 11792841
A cool roof is one that has been designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat—also known as solar reflectance and thermal emittance—than a standard roof. Cool roofs can be made of a highly reflective type of paint, a sheet covering, or highly reflective tiles or shingles. Nearly any type of building can benefit from a cool roof—however, you must consider climate and other factors before deciding to install one.
Just as wearing light-colored clothing can help keep you cool on a sunny day, cool roofs use solar-reflective surfaces to maintain lower roof temperatures. Standard or dark roofs can reach temperatures of 150°F or more in the summer sun. A cool roof under the same conditions could stay more than 50°F cooler.
Download Guidelines for Selecting Cool Roofs from the EERE Building Technologies Program.
Benefits of Cool Roofs
In addition to keeping a roof cooler, a cool roof can benefit a building and its occupants in several ways:
- Reduce energy bills by decreasing air conditioning needs
- Improve indoor comfort for spaces that are not air conditioned
- Decrease roof operating temperature, which may extend roof service life.
Beyond the building itself, cool roofs can also benefit the environment especially when many buildings in a community have them. Cool roofs can:
- Reduce local air temperatures (sometimes referred to as the urban heat island effect)
- Lower peak electricity demand, which can help prevent power outages
- Reduce power plant emissions, including carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides, and mercury, by reducing cooling energy use in buildings.
Learn More
Find out more about cool roofs and whether you should consider installing one by visiting the following:
Learn More
Codes & Standards
Cool Roof Codes and Standards
Cool Roof Rating Council
Financing & Incentives
Cool Roof Rebate Programs
Cool Roof Rating Council
See if You Qualify for a Tax Credit
Energy Savers
Financing for Energy Efficiency
Energy Savers
Product Information
Cool Roofing Materials Database
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Professional Services
Find a Roofing Contractor in Your Area
Cool Roof Rating Council
Department of Energy Resources
DOE Cool Roof Calculator
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Guidelines for Selecting Cool Roofs
Building Technologies Program
How to Buy Cool Roof Products
Federal Energy Management Program
