3 Ways to Have a Cooler Roof

A cool roof is engineered to keep a lower surface temperature under direct sunlight compared to conventional roofs. It can help you save on electricity costs, conserve energy and reduce environmental impact.

3 Ways to Have a Cooler Roof
In today’s post, one of your leading commercial roofing contractors, Texas Traditions Roofing, discusses various ways you can cool down a roof.
Flat or Low-Sloped Roof
Almost every roof type can be replaced or converted to cool roofs. In fact, in some places, cool roofs are part of the requirement for all new commercial construction.
You have to know your roof slope first to determine the best roofing materials for your property. Modified bitumen is one of the most well known cool roof options for flat or low-sloped roofs. Traditional modified bitumen roofs are black or gray, meaning they absorb more heat while reflecting less sunlight. Applying a white coating on the roof at the factory can improve its solar reflectance.
Single-Ply Membrane
Single-ply membranes are made of pre-fabricated plastic or vinyl sheets with solar reflective coatings or materials. This means that they don’t need coatings or surfacing because the cooling properties already come with the product. The sheets are laid onto the roof deck and secured using chemical adhesives, fasteners or ballast. Some of the most popular single-ply options include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM).
Choosing Texas Tradition Roofing for your TPO roof replacement makes you automatically qualified for our maintenance program. This involves regular inspection and assessment and estimating necessary repairs.
Built-Up Roof
Built-up roofing is one of the most common flat roofing systems. It’s installed by layering a base sheet of asphalt or bitumen with fabric, then atop it a protective layer of gravel, mineral granules or aggregate rock.
This roofing system can be converted into a cool roof by replacing the surface layer with white gravel or reflective marble chips to improve its reflective properties. Adding special coatings or pigments can also transform the asphalt surface into a cool roof.
For quality flat or low-sloped roof installation, choose Texas Traditions Roofing. Our team can also help you with roof repair and maintenance. Call us at (512) 942-0427 or fill out our online form for a free estimate. We serve clients in Austin, TX, and the surrounding areas.