Cool roofs offer protection from solar heat gain on hot summer days or all year round in warmer climates.
This innovative roofing reflects sunlight from a building instead of absorbing the heat and permeating the structure underneath. In the past, homeowners used white roofing to reflect the sun’s rays.
But are cool roofs really that amazing? Well, they do come with their own set of drawbacks. This article will look at the disadvantages of a cool roof and why one may not be suitable.
Disadvantages of Cool Roofs
Let’s take a deeper look at the distinct disadvantages of a cool roof.
High Installation Costs
Replacing an existing roof with a cool roof requires a significant initial investment. Therefore, cool roofs might not be ideal for those operating under a tight budget.
As a homeowner, you can expect cool metal roof prices to lie anywhere between $5 to $14 per square foot, depending on the kind of cool metal roofing you install. A steel metal roof is most common. On a home measuring 1,800 sq. ft, it would cost $35,516 on average.
High-end materials like copper roofing can cost nearly $48,000 to install.
However, keep in mind that the reduced maintenance costs and the energy savings that cool roofs offer can help offset this high initial price tag.
Lighter Roofing System Colors Might Look Dirtier Quicker
The lighter colors associated with certain cool roof products, especially a few of the light gray asphalt shingles, may develop algae streaks and get dirty quicker.
Certain asphalt shingles contain copper constituents to help postpone the growth of algae. Nevertheless, it will not ward off contamination and other natural deposits.
Increased Heating Costs
Throughout winter, your home’s roof can use heat energy and sunlight from the sun. A cool roof stops this from happening and may result in an increase in heating requirements during the colder months.
The exact extent is determined by the geographical location and variables of the winter season, such as snowfall, duration, and the number of warm and cloudy days.
It can be the case the extra heating energy needed because of the cool-roof effect during the colder months offsets the decrease in energy required to cool your home in the summer months.
Nevertheless, this might be true for certain climates but not all. For example, if you look at it in terms of annual heating and cooling days, you can determine if you live in an environment with higher heating requirements than cooling needs. In such as case, the benefits of a cool roof will not be that high.
May Not Be Suitable for Colder Climates
This point is linked to the earlier one. The ability to absorb sunlight can be an advantage in particular situations. In colder climates, solar gain can sometimes decrease heating costs during the winter season. Nevertheless, in more northern climates where this could perhaps be the case, there are very few daylight hours during the winter, and the roof often may be covered with snow, which will block out the sunlight anyway.
In cooler areas, it’s a good idea to calculate the possible savings on cooling costs before applying a coating or membrane or installing a cool roof.
If you don’t need much air conditioning during the warmer months, a cool roof may not be a wise investment, mainly because it can increase heating costs during winters.
Contribution to Global Warming
Like many other green products, the issue with cool roofs is the environmental impact as a whole has to be evaluated when gauging their actual advantages.
A study looked at the net global warming for light-colored surfaces instead of their effect on a small area or a single building. The analysis revealed that white roofs contributed to global warming instead of reducing it.
This warming is because the surface of a cool roof sets off a chain reaction that increases the amount of sunlight received. The white surfaces minimize the vertical movement of moisture to the atmosphere. This, in turn, reduces cloud coverage, resulting in reduced rain and an increase in drought-like conditions—the opposite result of the desired effect.
The study concluded that more research needs to be conducted before these cool roofs can be deemed energy-efficient.
Cool Roof Alternatives
If the disadvantages mentioned above make you think you don’t need, or can’t afford a cool roof, here are some alternatives you can check out to keep your house cool.
Ceiling Fans
Moving air can make you feel cooler. By installing ceiling fans, you can create air movement that will help you cool down while avoiding the cost of AC.
During summer, you can run your ceiling fan in the counterclockwise direction to draw the cooled air upwards. In addition, you can even switch on your exhaust fan, which will push out the warm air outside of your house.
Draw the Blinds
If you have windows that receive direct sunlight at any time of the day, you will benefit from keeping the curtains drawn or blinds closed for at least the hottest or sunniest part of the pay. For rooms on lower floors, you can turn your blinds upward to stop sunlight and heat from entering.
Use Heat Reducing Film
With almost 30 percent of ambient heat entering your home through the windows, one easy and quick fix to keep your house cool is to install a reflective, heat-minimizing window film to keep the temperature low. What’s great about this film is that it also works in reverse and keeps more warm air inside during the colder months!
Insulate Your Attic Walls
Another great way to keep your house cool during the warmer months is to insulate your attic walls, which will reduce the amount of sunlight and heat flowing into your attic and stop it from escaping to the rest of your house.
Use the Stove Sparingly
Using your oven or stove will add extra heat to your kitchen. Try limiting your cooking to early morning and plan dinners that don’t need to be heated up, such as lettuce wraps or pasta salad.
To prepare a hot meal without an oven, you can grill outside or use a crockpot.
Switch Off Lights When Not in Use
Light bulbs produce heat, particularly incandescent ones. If you cannot replace these bulbs with a more efficient type, reduce their usage and turn them off when not in use.
Open Windows at Night
Take advantage of breezy summer evenings. Open your windows at night to allow cross-ventilation that will help you and your family sleep better. The cooler air is going to circulate all night. This way, you can start fresh with a cool house in the morning.
Last Few Words
Like many other technological home innovations, cool roofs come with their own set of benefits and drawbacks.
In some cases, the disadvantages of a cool roof might be higher than the advantages it offers. For instance, if you live in a colder region and don’t need much AC during summer, a cool roof might not be a good investment. In fact, it can end up increasing your heating costs during the winter season.
If you don’t feel that a cool roof is suitable for you, choose one of the cool roof alternatives mentioned in this article.
