California Energy Commissioner Arthur H. Rosenfeld, who has been called the father
of energy conservation in the state, says his office is now working on regulations
that would require all new roofs in the state to be white, because they absorb less
heat and cut air-conditioning bills. "The pharaohs and the Greeks have known this
for 5,000 years," he says. Regulations presently call for flat roofs to be white.

Roofing paints, such as those manufactured by Hy-Tech are already available and
cost around .50 a square foot to apply including the primer coat.

An
elastomeric roof coating creates a uniform, seamless surface that remains
flexible even at low temperatures. It expands and contracts with changing weather
conditions, protecting a roof’s surface from the sun’s damaging rays. This enables
the coating to handle the continuous thermal stresses over the lifetime of the roof.

Its adhesion characteristics enable the coating to remain attached to the roof in wet
or extremely windy conditions. Such a coating employs technology (to resist dirt pick-
up) that helps maintain energy-saving reflectance qualities, as well as a bright, clean
appearance.

On existing buildings, elastomeric roof coatings do not add “dead load” or weight to
the roof. The roof coating can be applied without being counted as an additional
layer for code purposes. This mitigates the cost of disposal from tear-off and
contributes to dollars saved by the building owner.

Real savings come from reducing air conditioning expenses. For an average structure
in a warmer climate the cost difference between a white and black roof can be
recouped in a matter of a year or two, according to Atlanta roofing consultant Patrick
Downey.

Some elastomeric roof coatings also contain tiny ceramic beads. The beads have not
been proven to increase reflectivity, but they do make the coating more durable.
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A long-term, economical roofing
solution often overlooked is
acrylic roof coatings.

These coatings can be applied
to traditional roofing systems
using a brush, heavy nap roller
or industrial sprayer.

According to the independent
research laboratory
, MER
Corporation
, elastomeric
coatings reflect 90% of the
sun's rays and will reduce the
indoor temperature by
an
average
7 degrees.