Cool Colors
Common experience tells us that white is reflective and cool, and dark colors absorb heat and can get hot in the sun. But did you know that solar heat is largely due to invisible infrared light? The Cooltile IR Coatings™ developed by American Rooftile Coatings (ARC) reflect the infrared light and stay cool, even though they visually appear like a common color, such as brown or blue.
Cooltile IR Coatings™
ARC's Cooltile IR Coatings™ were developed in 2001 under a PIER/EISG grant provided by California Energy Commission (CEC). Cooltile IR Coatings™ use mixed metal oxide pigments. These pigments are fired to provide a ceramic surface and are very durable. The resin used in ARC's coating is 100% acrylic polymer. Acrylics are well known for excellent exterior durability. Exterior weathering studies of such coating systems have exceeded a 40 year exposure in a freeze-thaw climate over cement-asbestos shingle in a south 45 degree setting.
Living Comfort, Energy Savings, and Government Incentives
A cooler roof means a cooler building, and a more comfortable interior on hot days. ARC coatings were put to the test by the Department of Energy and the US Army. ARC coatings showed a 35% energy savings. To learn more about the study, click here. In addition to future savings on your energy bill, many government agencies offer financial incentives to support energy sustainable building construction practices. Click here to learn more.
Building Codes and Energy Efficiency Standards
Cooltile IR Coatings™ are registered with the Cool Roof Rating Council for a solar reflectance over 40%, the gold standard for steep-pitched roof coatings. Cooltile IR Coatings™ are also Energy Star rated.
Heat Island Effect
Using Cooltile IR Coatings™ helps reduce the Heat Island Effect in your community. The heat island effect impacts energy use, air quality, and human health.
Roof Recycling and Landfill Conservation
Over 10 million tons of roofing waste goes into landfills each year. You could buy a whole new roof and arrange for the old roof materials to be recycled to conserve landfill space. But it is better to restore the color of an existing roof with ARC coatings. Concrete rooftiles will last over 100 years, and actually become stronger with age. The Roman aqueducts survive today because they are made of concrete. Restoring a roof with ARC coatings will conserve landfill space and reduce the environmental impact of producing new materials.
Rooftile Manufacturer Maintenance Guidelines
Manufacturers of concrete rooftiles typically recommend occassional power washing of the roof surface. This helps remove dirt, algae, mildew or moss. When the tile color is faded, or you want a different color, manufacturers recommend a primer and acrylic color coating as provided by ARC.
For more information, please contact us.
