A white roof is painted with solar reflective white coating and reflects up to 90% of sunlight (as opposed to traditional black roofs which reflect only 20%). A white roof is a lot more than just white paint! White roofs’ benefits are measured partly according to the solar reflectance index, or SRI. A roof’s SRI is a measure of a surface’s ability to reflect solar heat. SRI measures reflectance (reflecting the sun’s rays) and thermal emittance (the roof’s ability to radiate absorbed heat). If you’ve ever worn a black t-shirt in the sun than you already understand that black’s reflectance is negligible and its emittance is zero. A white roof’s reflectance is as high as 90% and its emittance is 100%. Learn more from our friends at the Cool Roof Rating Council.

Americans spend about $40 billion annually to air condition buildings — one-sixth of all electricity generated in this country! White roofs can reduce summer energy use by 10–40%, saving money and preventing pollution. White roofs can reduce the total Urban Heat Island effect in an impacted city by 1° to 2° F – enough to lower peak energy demand, reducing the risk of brownouts and blackouts. 

White roofing prevents heat related warping and cracking extending the life of a roof. White roofing can reduce roofing waste added to landfills. Annually roofing replacement generates 8 to 10 million tons of old roofing waste. Historically, about 95% (or 22 million cubic yards) has ended up in landfills.