Urban heat islands, cool roofing, and the impact on people

Coil coating producers in the U.S. have been supplying “cool roof” coatings for over two decades. These coatings are specifically designed to reflect the sun’s rays back into the atmosphere rather than absorbing them like many typical roofing materials. The theory goes that, by doing this, cool roofs help keep buildings cooler, lessen the reliance on air conditioning, and improve energy efficiency and overall quality of life for building inhabitants. Research backs up these claims. 

There is even evidence that cool roofs can improve quality of life for a city’s entire population. The urban heat island effect is named for the higher temperatures experienced in cities due to their concentrations of man-made surfaces such as buildings, sidewalks, and streets. It is especially vexing during the summer, and economically disadvantaged communities often bear the brunt. 

Many of us retreat inside our nice, cool homes during a brutal heat spell, but many others have no means to do so. You might think the urban heat islands are found exclusively in southern cities of the U.S., but any metropolis where buildings, parking lots, and streets have replaced grass and trees experiences this heating effect.