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Q: What does TSR (Total Solar Reflectance) mean?
TSR stands for Total Solar Reflectance. This is the percentage measure of the amount of solar energy reflected from a given surface.
100% = Total Reflection.
So, 0% = No reflection, therefore 100% absorption.
A typical black paint or black Colorbond surface will only have 3-5% TSR. Therefore this surface absorbs up to 97% of the suns heat energy.
See a Coolpaint colour range Total Solar Reflectivity comparison HERE
Q: If I use regular white or very light paint, won’t that cool my roof and home down?
Yes it will a little, and only for a little while - After the first couple of years of the roof life it breaks down and looses most of its TSR. You can notice a white powdery substance wipe from the surface as the standard roof paint breaks down.
Reflective Coolpaints in white will reflect around 90% and continue reflecting for 10 – 15 years, guaranteed when properly applied.
Q: How much of my electricity bill can a Coolpaint reflective roof paint save me?
It is typical that a household enjoys saving an average of 50% off air conditioning power bills. Of course a lot depends on your locations climate among other things to consider.
Q: Can I expect the same level of savings over the entire lifetime of my roof? The heat reflecting properties of the coating will not be reduced with age. However the coating will lose some gloss after a number of years due to normal wear and tear and this will cause a gradual loss of TSR. Flat roofs may accumulate more dirt and debris because their slope is not great enough to allow sufficient washing by rain. Minimum maintenance such as washing flat roofs regularly will minimize degradation and maximizes energy savings.
Q: Do heat reflective Coolpaints cost any more than standard roof paint?
No, not when you consider you are insulating your roof as well as painting it, the costs are dramatically less to use Coolpaints, than to use standard roof paint and also insulate.
The initial investment costs not a lot more than buying standard roof paint; usually about $300 - $400 more for a standard size home.
You can find out how much it will cost for your roof, when you enter your information into the Quick Quote Calculator.
Q: If I paint my current light coloured roof with a darker reflective Coolpaint, will I be hotter or cooler?
On most occasions you can still make your home cooler. Even our darkest Coolpaint is no less cool than the lighter non reflective colour.
Using ‘Mid Range’ reflective Coolpaints, such as Classic Red, Burgundy, or Terracotta, will reflect 36% to 44%; increasing your Total Solar Reflectivity by 6% to 14% more than the lighter standard colour roof paint.
A light coloured standard, worn, roof coat like Colourbond® Smooth Cream will reflect about 30%. Therefore, painting your light cream roof with a dark reflective colour like Charcoal, also with 30% reflectivity, will not increase your roof temperature.
See a Coolpaint colour range Total Solar Reflectivity comparison HERE
Q: How much heat is my standard dark coloured roof absorbing?
The heat absorption of a standard dark colour roof is as high as 97%...so only reflecting around 3%. The sun is heating that roof up to around 100 + degrees on a hot sunny day.
A reflective Coolpaint in a comparatively dark colour like charcoal, the absorption is less than 70%, so a Coolpaint in a very dark colour reflects 30% more than standard dark coloured roof paint.
This will result in a surface which is up to 30 Degrees C. cooler on a 35 Degree C. temperature day. This in turn can reduce internal building temperatures by up to 10 Degrees C.
See a Coolpaint colour range Total Solar Reflectivity comparison HERE
Q: Are reflective Coolpaints Guaranteed to last longer than standard paint, keep reflecting...and keep me cool?
Yes, it will last much longer than standard roof paint and that is a guarantee.
When reflective Coolpaints are applied to manufacturer specifications, they are guaranteed to last, and continue reflecting for 10 – 15 years. See our product guarantees provided when you view your printable Quick Quote.
Q: My roof is Concrete or Cement Tile – Can I use Coolpaint on it?
Yes you can use Coolpaints on all roof surfaces. It will however affect the choice of primer required. Just be sure to select the correct ‘Roof Type’ when you are entering this information into the Quick Quote Calculator.
Q: Can I collect drinking water off my roof once it is treated with Coolpaint?
Yes, more safely than a standard roof. CoolPaints are waterbased and do not contain solvents or polyesters that break down into your water supply. There is a great deal of information available about this; provided along with your Coolpaint printable Quick Quote.
Q: Will Coolpaint increase my roof life?
Yes, Coolpaint roofs maintain a more constant lower roof temperature and reduce thermal shock, which occurs when cool rain hits a hot roof, causing a sharp drop in temperature. During temperature changes, a roof expands and contracts, causing stress which can degrade the roof.
Q: Why are Coolpaints good for our environment?
Energy that is produced to make electricity by burning coal, increases greenhouse gas emissions and creates air pollution associated with smog, acid rain and global climate change.
Coolpaint roof coatings significantly reduce the need for electic cooling devices; Reducing the amount of electricty required, predominantly generated by burning coal.
Heat reflective roof products can also help reduce the "urban heat island effect," a phenomenon in which cities can be 1 to 4.5o C warmer than the surrounding countryside. These heat islands result due to dark buildings and paved surfaces which absorb heat from the Sun. This heat is released at night causing the air temperature to remain high.
The higher urban temperature leads to an increased demand for air conditioning in buildings, increased petrol use for car air conditioning, increased levels of smog, and associated increased levels of heat-related and smog-related health problems.
Installing reflective roofs will help reduce the urban heat island effect, decreasing the amount of smog in the air and benefiting the environment and our entire community.
Q: Is Coolpaint better than glass wool or other ceiling insulation in keeping out heat?
Rather than allowing the Sun to superheat the roof space, then trying to control heat transfer with ceiling insulation, it is much better to reflect heat away from the surface of the roof.
The same principle applies with glass windows. It is better to stop the Sun from hitting the glass with external blinds rather than trying to deal with the problem once the heat has entered your home.
In summer, external shading is much more efficient at keeping your home cool than internal blinds. Shading your windows from the outside can reduce heat gain in your home by up to 80%
Coolpaints work in a similar manner to shading your roof by reflecting the heat before it can enter the roof space. Ceiling insulation is still required for an energy efficient home, but it will work more efficiently, as peak temperatures will be much lower.
Coolpaints will also maximize emmissivity resulting in more rapid night cooling as the temperature of the thermal building mass will be cooler and emit heat to the atmosphere more efficiently.
CoolPaints© ~ Cool Zone® Solar Reflective Roof Coatings
Chart of Total Solar Reflectivity
| Roof Coating Colour |
Standard Roof Coating % of TSR |
Coolzone Roof Coating % of TSR |
Percentage of TSR’s Difference |
| Black |
5 |
27 |
+440% |
| Charcoal |
6 |
30 |
+400% |
| Bluestone |
9 |
31 |
+245% |
| Wilderness |
18 |
41 |
+130% |
| Terracotta |
17 |
39 |
+130% |
| Headland |
24 |
38 |
+60% |
| Woodland Grey |
10 |
27 |
+170% |
| Midnight |
5 |
26 |
+420% |
| Classic Red |
18 |
36 |
+100% |
| Coral |
57 |
65 |
+14% |
| Sienna |
31 |
45 |
+45% |
| Chocolate |
7 |
27 |
+286% |
| Burgundy |
33 |
40 |
+21% |
| Sunset |
40 |
45 |
+15% |
| Mission Brown |
6 |
26 |
+333% |
| Grecian Terracotta |
27 |
44 |
+65% |
| Saddle Brown |
10 |
28 |
+180% |
| Mid Brunswick Green |
7 |
35 |
+400% |
| Oxide Red |
13 |
26 |
+100% |
| Deep Ocean |
8 |
30 |
+275% |
| White |
80 |
90 |
+15% |
| Off Whites & Pastel Colours |
15 - 75 |
70 – 90 |
+20% to 370% |
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