Abstract
In the roofing game, everyone's looking for an edge, some advantage that makes their product the right choice for at least a segment of the roofing market. The manufacturers of white roofing membranes believe they've found their edge. They claim that their white roofs were better, look better and save more energy than their black counterparts. As one manufacturer says in its literature, the white color "reflects sunlight, lowering internal building temperatures, reducing the load on air conditioners and prolonging membrane life." While no manufacturer is selling its product on the merits of color alone, most devote at least a paragraphy in their brochures to the benefits of a white surface. Despite these manufacturers' claims, the jury is still out on white roofings' superiority. Some industry experts are taking a hard look at the energy efficiency and weatherability of these products as well as the ability of traditional roofing to offer the same benefits.
In the roofing game, everyone's looking for an edge, some advantage that makes their product the right choice for at least a segment of the roofing market. The manufacturers of white roofing membranes believe they've found their edge. They claim that their white roofs were better, look better and save more energy than their black counterparts. As one manufacturer says in its literature, the white color "reflects sunlight, lowering internal building temperatures, reducing the load on air conditioners and prolonging membrane life." While no manufacturer is selling its product on the merits of color alone, most devote at least a paragraphy in their brochures to the benefits of a white surface. Despite these manufacturers' claims, the jury is still out on white roofings' superiority. Some industry experts are taking a hard look at the energy efficiency and weatherability of these products as well as the ability of traditional roofing to offer the same benefits.
Date
5/1986
5/1986
Author(s)
Jerry DeMuth
Jerry DeMuth
Page(s)
25-28
25-28
Keyword(s)
membrane color; white membrane; black membrane; reflection;
membrane color; white membrane; black membrane; reflection;