When it comes to energy efficiency, all agree that in the summer, white roof membranes reflect the sun’s rays, lowering air conditioning costs — while dark roofs absorb the sun’s rays, raising air conditioning costs.
Building owners and managers face some tough decisions when it comes time to replace the roof on their commercial, industrial or institutional buildings.
When “cool” roof requirements were first introduced into energy standards like ASHRAE 90.1, contractors and specifiers were allowed to use less insulation if a reflective roof was installed.