In roofing, the term “cool roof” is used to denote a roof that is specifically designed to reflect heat. If your roof is made of shingles or asphalt sheeting, your roof is already designed to reflect heat and should not be painted. If you want to cover a metal roof, get a coating designed specifically for metal. Cool roof coatings are almost always waterproof as well.
You cannot add gravel to a roof that doesn’t have a rim around the exterior of the building. If there’s no barrier, your gravel will simply slide off of the roof over time.
Your roof must be structurally sound to handle the weight of a large garden. Contact an architectural or engineering firm to inspect your roof before installing a garden. Most roofs don’t have access to a running supply of water, so you may need to store water on the roof or run a hose up to the roof.
It is illegal to install a polyurethane foam roofing membrane if you aren’t a licensed contractor. You must hire someone to install it for you. Polyurethane foam coatings cost $4-7 per square foot ($13-22 per square meter).
This is the best option for sloped roofs that can’t be painted with a reflective coating. However, if you already have an asphalt or shingle roof, you may not see a ton of improvement. Roofing membranes typically cost $4-5 per square foot ($13-16 per square meter).
Radiant roof barriers are typically installed in an unfinished attic where there isn’t much interior insulation. Use a utility knife to cut slits into the sheeting to wrap it around any pipes or columns. The barrier doesn’t need to be taut or airtight to work effectively. So long as the majority of your attic’s walls are covered, most of the heat from the sun will struggle to enter your home.
Keep in mind that any of these options will cause your electricity bill to increase. However, your air conditioning costs will certainly go down in the summer.
The benefit of a solar-powered fan is that it will only kick on when the sun is out. [13] X Expert Source Guy GabaySolar Energy Contractor Expert Interview. 4 August 2020. This will naturally regulate the temperature in your attic. You can hire a contractor to install one of these fans for you.
