Cool roofing – Energy-efficient roofs

Temperature records continue to be broken every summer. Furthermore, according to a recent report from the World Meteorological Organization, there is an 80% chance that, over the next five years, the global average annual temperature will temporarily exceed pre-industrial levels by 1.5°C.

The resulting overexposure to sunlight can cause the temperature of a roof to rise significantly. This rise in temperature can lead to higher energy consumption for the building (and thus higher costs), as well as faster degradation of materials.

In this scenario, reflective roofing treatments like CoolTop, which act as a thermal barrier and enhance roof functionality, are an increasingly common solution across all building types—residential, commercial, and industrial.

The role of cool roofing as a thermal insulator

Building roofs are fully exposed to increasing solar radiation and heat, so without quality thermal insulation, these problems escalate.

When a roof lacks thermal insulation, a cool roof coating can reduce heat absorption and thereby prevent temperature rise.

In the long run, whether for new construction or renovation projects, cool roofing represents a sustainable choice for:

– Efficient roofs that enhance the building’s thermal comfort.

– Cleaner cities, as they help mitigate the heat island effect in urban centers.

It’s important to emphasize that reflective treatments like CoolTop don’t insulate per se; rather, they act as a thermal barrier, meaning they reflect solar radiation and thereby reduce the building’s thermal load.

Advantages of a cool roofing system

Among the numerous benefits of using white reflective treatments like CoolTop are the following:

The building’s temperature rise is reduced during the hottest months, leading to lower cooling demand and more efficient roofs.
This temperature reduction, achieved through the thermal insulation effect of the roofs, also enhances climate comfort, making life in the building more comfortable.
Roofs are protected from harsh weather conditions, such as extreme heat, thereby extending their service life.
It is highly versatile, allowing it to be applied to a wide range of substrates, including bituminous membranes, synthetic membranes, metals, fiber cement, and plastic materials.
It helps mitigate the urban heat island effect, making this solution an eco-friendly choice that reduces the building’s environmental impact.
It extends the service life of existing waterproofing systems.

Furthermore, CoolTop has been shown to reduce surface temperatures by 20°C on metal surfaces and 40°C on dark synthetic membranes like EPDM, making it a sustainable, long-term solution to roof thermal insulation issues.

What makes a cool roofing system efficient

For a cool roofing system to be effective, it must:

Be white or light in color, as these colors offer the highest solar reflectance index. We should opt for solutions with an SRI greater than 100 (CoolTop has an SRI of 105).
Be easy to clean and maintain to preserve its reflective properties.
Have advanced chemical properties so that high solar irradiance or standing water does not damage the materials.

The combination of high reflectivity, easy maintenance, and durability is key to an efficient roofing system. Our systems, such as CoolTop (which acts as an exterior thermal paint), offer a comprehensive solution for roof waterproofing and building thermal management.

Coolroofing: a sustainable solution for thermal insulation

The growing demand for sustainable waterproofing solutions has driven the need for systems that enhance energy efficiency. For this reason, CoolTop white roof coating has established itself as a powerful alternative finish for liquid polyurethane or polyurea membrane coatings.

After applying the product, the roof is waterproofed and reflects UV radiation, thereby achieving the desired thermal insulation effect.

Step-by-step guide to roof waterproofing and thermal insulation with exterior thermal paint

Depending on the system and the roof, CoolTop, which acts as an exterior thermal paint, can be applied in different ways.

As an aliphatic protective coating

When applied over UltraFlex waterproofing systems (also used for green roofs), CoolTop should be applied directly onto the polyurethane membrane. For older systems, we recommend cleaning and then applying a thin layer of Ultraflex to serve as a bonding bridge between the membrane and CoolTop.

On bituminous membranes, synthetic EPD membranes,

Before applying the solution, the surface must be free of dust and contaminants. After applying the two-component UltraPrime CT epoxy resin to the existing sheet to serve as a bonding bridge in this case, a layer of CoolTop is applied to create a durable, highly reflective film.

On PVC sheets or on a metal substrate

In these cases, the surface must be thoroughly cleaned (sandblasting or acetone can be used if necessary). Next, apply CoolTop exterior thermal paint in a thin layer as a reflective thermal coating.

Industrial roof waterproofing

Many industrial roofs are exposed to harsh weather conditions and deterioration over time, so finding a thermal insulation solution that protects the entire facility is key to its maintenance.

Industrial facilities also feature metal components, such as piping. Therefore, the system applied must not only provide reflective properties but also offer corrosion protection.

This is where the Dual Function waterproof roofing membrane comes into play. It’s resistant to chemical agents and suitable for most common roof substrates.

Dual Function is also an economical alternative that combines industrial roof waterproofing with UV reflectance.

Step-by-step guide to waterproofing industrial roofs with DualFunction

For the thermal insulation of industrial roofs, it is necessary to follow a set of defined steps.

Before applying the reflective system, the substrate must be dry and completely free of dirt.

After application (with a coverage rate of 1 to 2 m² per liter per coat), the reflective effect enables energy savings of up to 30% during the hottest periods, which also translates into overall cost savings for the facility.

Efficient roofing projects

How did we make a 160 m² common-area flat roof in Rubí energy-efficient?

First, our two-component leveling resin UltraPrime REG was applied to level the surface.

Next, our liquid waterproofing system for roofs was applied, and finally, the CoolTop coating was installed. The result: an efficient roof that accumulates less heat, protects the building’s structure, and saves energy for the community.

Related applications and keywords: green roof membrane and green garage roof.