White is the new black

Posted on July 30, 2009
Filed Under Uncategorized |

white-roofThe New York Times reports today on the trend toward “cool roofs”–white or light colored roofs that reflect summer heat and make it substantially easier to cool the air inside the building.  Energy savings upward of 20% can be expected in a building with a white roof compared to one with a dark, asphalt-shingle covered roof.  California Scientist Art Rosenfeld says we can save the equivalent of an entire years worth of CO2 emissions over the next 20 years if we all just switched to cool roofs.  “It’s like turning off the world for a year,â€? he says.

The idea of using light colored building materials isn’t exactly a new one:

Before the advent of central air-conditioning in the mid-20th-century, white- and cream-colored houses with reflective tin roofs were the norm in South Florida, for example. Then central air-conditioning arrived, along with dark roofs whose basic ingredients were often asphalt, tar and bitumen, or asphalt-based shingles. These materials absorb as much as 90 percent of the sun’s heat energy — often useful in New England, but less so in Texas. By contrast, a white roof can absorb as little as 10 percent or 15 percent.

One roofing specialist interviewed for the article points out that folks who moved south from the much-cooler northeast brought their old habits with them, and built houses with traditional asphalt roofed shingles.

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3 Comments so far
  1. Robert Kearney August 25, 2009 11:02 am

    A couple of questions regarding White Roofs:

    1. Do you know of a company or companies that install residential white roofs in the Boston MA Metro area?

    2. Do you know if there is a goverment (state or federal) program that will subsidize the installation of a residential White Roof?

    Thanks,

    Bob Kearney

  2. Curtis Richardson March 2, 2010 1:46 pm

    It’s funny how this article doesn’t mention that this 400+ year old ingenious architectural feat is that of the one and ONLY Islands of my lovely Sustainable home country Bermuda.

    Dahh White roves are best. More specifically White Limestone slated BERMUDA roves that are skimmed with cement wash and them painted with a thick consistency of liquefied crushed limestone based coating. WHITE WASH

    Oh and not to mention that the white wash actually purifies the rain water that is collected in the water tanks built within the very foundation of our homes - Yea you know in the space that others refer to and use for junk storage - yea where ones basement is our water storage. Guess what we drink rain water and bath in it too and wash dishes with it and water the gardens and put that shine on our cars. This water is a gift from the heavens. YES it’s free!!!!

    Just a little insight on what I’m building my thesis while a student of architecture on.

  3. your to June 12, 2010 8:18 am

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