Some Important Facts Worth Knowing about Roof Painting
It’s a scientific fact that light colours reflect the maximum amount of sun light and keep the house cool. However, it’s interesting to note that even though most of Australia is quite warm, the majority of roofs are painted or tiled in darker colours!
The relationship between roof colour and thermal efficiency can be a subject of debate, but it’s clear that there are many factors that come into the equation including the way the house is designed, the level of insulation, etc.
Let’s have a look at some interesting considerations that should come into your decision when thinking about roof colour.
1. Thermal Efficiency
Let’s first talk about the energy saving potential. You might think that painting your roof with light colours is a good idea because it will reflect sunlight and keep the home cool in the summer. Some even go as far as to say that this can reduce global warming as heat bounces of the surface.
According to research conducted at Stanford University in the US, the number of roofs and roads in urban areas doubled from 1992 to 2005. As the roads and rooftops absorb the heat from the sun, this creates what is terms a ‘heat island’, which it is argued has a significant effect on global warming.
While the researchers could not measure how much of an effect this has, the research is quite convincing.
2. Climate
According to the Australian Building Codes Board, Australia has 8 climate zones and 69 subzones that are defined according to local weather such as wind speed, temperature variation and various other characteristics. This information is quite useful for home owners when planning to start a building project, as these detailed classifications can tell you more about your area than you might be aware of.
If you’re thinking about which way to go with your roof colour and or material-used, you might want to check out the ABCB website.
3. Roof Top Solar Panels
Installing solar panels on a rooftop is a productive way of using natural heat as a power source. Because of high summer temperatures, Australia has a bright solar future. According to the Australian Photovoltaic Institute, the overall roof top solar power reached 4 GW in 2014. This is an encouraging news for home owners and from a sustainability perspective too!
When it comes to your roof colour, it probably becomes less of a concern when you have solar panels installed on the rooftop. If they’re generating enough power, they may be able to cool your home to compensate any effects of having a dark painted roof.
A little bit of research needs to go in before the roof painting or tiling begins. The three key elements which play a vital role in controlling the thermal energy transfer have been elaborated above to help you go for what will suit your needs. An optimum temperature at your home makes things a lot more comfortable and depending on where you live, roof colour can be a major concern. Just make sure you know the facts before you make the decision!
