How To Keep Your Commercial Roof Cool During Summer?

Summers are getting hotter each year. Climate change is making summers more intense. Recent news about heatwaves in the Western US, Europe, and many other places around the world is a testament to this. Summers in Tennessee can be pretty intense as well. Temperatures can rise to 32 degrees Celsius during the day. If your commercial roof isn’t properly taken care of, your energy bills will skyrocket as your air conditioner works overtime to keep your building cool. A cool roof can make all the difference during summertime.

 

Factors That Affect the Temperature of Your Commercial Roof

 

Color

The color of your roof can significantly impact the temperature inside your commercial building. Darker colors absorb more light energy, causing the building to heat up. Lighter colors reflect more light, keeping the building cooler.

If you have a dark-colored roof, you can try to offset the extra heat by installing white or light-colored roofing materials. This will help to reflect more sunlight and keep your building cooler. In addition, you can also take advantage of cooling methods like insulation and ventilation to help keep the inside of your building comfortable.

Age

An old, worn-out roof is more likely to absorb heat than a new one. This is because the materials used in older roofs have been degraded by time and weathering. They are not as effective at reflecting sunlight as they once were. An old roof is more likely to have cracks and leaks. This lets heat escape from your building and allows water to seep in, which can cause further damage.

Maintenance

A well-maintained commercial roof will last longer and be more effective at reflecting sunlight. Regular cleaning and repair will keep your roof in good condition.

Insulation

Insulation keeps heat from escaping your building in winter and prevents heat from entering your building in summer. It acts as a barrier between the inside and outside of your building.

 

Roof Applications to Keep Your Commercial Roof Cool

 

Reflective Roof Coatings

Reflective roof coatings deflect the UV rays of the sun and have thermal remittance properties. This helps to lower the surface temperature of your roof by up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Some best-performing reflective roof coatings include white acrylics, silicone, and reflective aluminum. These coatings can be applied to most roof types, including metal, concrete, and EPDM roofs.

Acrylics are suitable to repel high UV radiation, while silicones are better for areas with high temperatures. Acrylic coatings are water-based and generally sold in white, tan, and gray. This commercial roof coating is suitable for high UV environments where a reflective roof is desired.

Aluminum coatings are suitable for buildings such as warehouses and distribution centers where cooling systems are not used. Silicone coatings with high solar reflectivity values can be used on flat roofs.

Roof Ventilation

Proper roof ventilation helps to remove the hot air that builds up in your attic. This can be done by installing vents in the soffit and ridge of your roof. Roof ventilation also helps to prevent moisture buildup, which can lead to mold and mildew growth.

Roof ventilation isn’t just for summertime. It should be used all year round to keep your attic space cool and dry.

Attic Fans

Installing an attic fan is a great way to ventilate your attic space and keep it cool. Attic fans are powered by either electricity or solar power. They are placed on the gable end of your roof and help to draw hot air out of your attic.

Solar-powered attic fans are a great choice if you want to reduce your energy consumption. They are powered by the sun, so they will not add to your electric bill.

Gable End Vents

Gable end vents are placed on the gable ends of your roof. They help to ventilate your attic space and allow hot air to escape. Gable end vents come in a variety of sizes and can be either fixed or operable.

Roof Curtains

Roof curtains are made of a reflective material that helps to reflect sunlight and heat away from your building. They are installed on the outside of your windows and doors. Roof curtains can be used in combination with other cooling methods, such as reflective roof coatings, to further reduce the heat in your building.

Roof Insulation

Insulating your attic space is a great way to keep the heat out of your building. It helps to prevent heat from escaping in winter and prevents heat from entering in summer. Insulation is available in a variety of materials, such as fiberglass, cellulose, and spray foam.

Fiberglass Insulation is the most common type of insulation and is made from glass fibers, including silica sand, calcinated alumina, limestone, magnesite, soda ash, feldspar, borax, and kaolin clay. The manufacturing process of fiberglass insulation gives it fire-resistant properties and the ability to resist heat flow and water absorption.

It works by trapping air in the spaces between the glass fibers. This trapped air creates a barrier that slows down the transfer of heat, keeping the interior of the structure warmer in winter and cooler in summer. In addition, fiberglass insulation is an effective sound barrier, making it ideal for use in office buildings and other commercial properties.

Cellulose Insulation has 80% recycled content and is made from recycled paper products. It is treated with fire retardants and insecticides to make it more resistant to fire and pests. It is the best environment-friendly choice for keeping your roof energy-efficient and reducing your carbon footprint. It reflects heat from your building in summer and prevents heat loss in winter.

A mixture of polyurethane and isocyanate is used to make Spray Foam Insulation. It is sprayed onto the surface of your roof and expands to fill any gaps or voids. Spray foam insulation creates an airtight seal that helps to prevent heat loss in winter and keeps your building cooler in summer. It is also an effective sound barrier and can help to reduce noise pollution.

It is available in two types: closed-cell and open-cell.

Closed-cell spray foam insulation is denser and provides a higher R-value. It is commonly used for vans, pole barns, and commercial buildings.

Open-cell spray foam insulation is less dense and has a lower R-value. It is used for attics, crawl spaces, rim joists, or open wall cavities.

Vegetative Roofs

A vegetative roof, also known as a green roof, is a layer of vegetation that is installed on top of a building. The vegetation helps to insulate the building and keep it cool in summer. It also helps to absorb rainwater and reduce the risk of flooding.

Vegetative roofs can be made from a variety of materials, including sedum, grasses, and native plants. They can be installed on most roof types, including flat roofs, metal roofs, and concrete roofs.

Cool Roof Membranes

Cool roof membranes are the latest in cool technology, designed to reflect sunlight and keep your commercial building’s structure at an optimal temperature. Made from a variety of materials, including PVC, TPO, EPDM, or white acrylics, these products usually consist of modified bitumen which has been specially engineered for improved performance with solar energy absorption. These products are easy to install on most types of roofs and can provide long-term protection for your investment.

In addition to their energy-saving capabilities, cool roof membranes also help to reduce the urban heat island effect, which is caused by the build-up of heat in urban areas. The Urban Heat Island effect can contribute to higher temperatures, smog, and air pollution. By reflecting sunlight away from your building, cool roof membranes can help to reduce the Urban Heat Island effect and create a cooler, more comfortable environment for everyone.

Keeping your commercial roof cool during the summer can be a challenge. However, using the right techniques and materials, you can keep your building comfortable and save on energy costs.

Have you tried any of these methods to keep your roof cool?

If Not, why not give them a try? With the hot summer months just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get started.

If you’re in need of a reliable commercial roofing company to help you find the best suitable roofing application method or want more information on keeping your current one cool, contact us today! We have expert roofing contractors standing by who can answer all your questions and get you set up with a free estimate. Stay cool this summer with a new commercial roof from our team!