Today, most people are concerned about climate change and doing the “right thing” for the environment. People cut back on power consumption, purchase energy efficient appliances and cars, and purchase products that help the environment. However, here in Oakville, Burlington and the GTA area, when it comes to flat roofs, energy conservation and a specifically a green roof, is greatly lacking.
Maybe it is lack of awareness of what is available in the roofing industry, or maybe it is the architects designing the buildings with flat roofs that lack awareness. The truth of the matter is, most new buildings being built today are built with a black roof. What is the alternative? White roofing materials are readily available in today’s market. But, are they really better than the black?
There are a lot of considerations to take into account when choosing your specific roofing material. The fact is each has its own benefits and drawbacks depending on numerous factors. The main ones are price, location of building, slope, and building use. But, let’s ignore all that and take a look at “Is a black roof better in a cold climate or should I go with white?”
In a nutshell, the answer is simply, NO. You may say, however, that a black roof in the winter will absorb the suns energy and heat the building during the cold months. This will save energy, won’t it? This may be true but the cost savings in energy may not outweigh the drawbacks. So consider this.
In the winter, the sun is lower on the horizon compared to summer. This means the sun is not going to heat the roof as much as it does in the summer months. Also, consider that the winter daylight hours are much shorter. And don’t forget that snow accumulates on your roof making it white. So where are the cost savings? Don’t jump to an answer just yet. This is only part of the equation.
During the summer months here in Oakville, Burlington and the GTA, a black roof attracts the sun and heats the building. The sun is at a higher level than in the winter and the days are longer with more sunshine days than in the winter. Just go up on your flat, black roof and see how hot it is compared to the relevant outside temperature. You will have a great appreciation for the roofers installing that new roof on your building.
The heat of the summer is one reason flat roofs are covered with other materials. A tar roof will have gravel on top to protect the membrane. A black modified bitumen roof will have a reflective coating applied to the surface or has tiny white particles imbedded within the material to reflect some of the sunlight in the summer months.
You are probably thinking this is like painting your car black then driving around with a cover on it so the paint doesn’t fade. Why not just put a protective clear coat on it to start with? Now that you are thinking, I am going to leave you hanging until next week to explain the pros and cons of a black vs white roof. Stay tuned and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts.