What is a Cool Roof?
A cool roof is one that absorbs less heat than other traditional roofs. Eighty percent of low-slop roofs are black, 53 percent are asphaltic BUR and Modified Bitumen, and 27 percent are EPDM.
Cool roofs less than 35 percent of solar energy striking the roof. Traditional roofs absorb 70 percent (or more!) of solar energy.
The photo above depicts the simple science of cool roofs: "light" material absorbs less heat than "dark" material. Traditional roofs (dark roofs) can have a peak roof temperature of 150 to 190 degrees feringheiht. By comparison, white, reflective cool roofs will be 50 to 60 degrees cooler on hot days.
Because of the energy savings by using a "cool roof" system, buildings can qualify for LEED credits.