The Durability, Sustainability & Energy Efficiency of Solar Reflective Elastomeric Roof Coatings vs. Traditional Built Up Asphalt Roofing

More than ever before, homeowners are faced with tough decisions when it comes to home improvements balancing cost, value and the environment.

When addressing flat roofing issues, homeowners should consider durability and sustainability when evaluating roofing system costs. The installation methods and materials surrounding traditional built up asphalt roofing have changed little in over a century. Advances in white solar reflective elastomeric roof coating over the past 15 years have resulted in a durable roofing system that addresses the need for energy-efficient roofing. These roof coatings provide three key benefits- durability, sustainability and energy efficient solar reflectivity. When combined, these three benefits can provide homeowners value, protection and reduced energy costs.

When evaluating roofing solutions, the homeowner should take into consideration what the roofing system will deliver in terms of real and lasting value. In other words, the roofing system chosen should be durable and not have to be replaced again and again. This principal of durability and value provides relief for the environment as well as the pocketbook. When high quality white solar reflective elastomeric roof coating products are applied correctly, they provide a protective barrier that can stand up to some of the harshest elements and last for years with proper care. When maintained properly; the service life of a coated roof can last for many years. With the proper installation and maintenance all that is required to extend the life of a white solar reflective roof coating is periodic cleaning and an additional coating application as per the manufacture’s recommendations.

When compared to white elastomeric solar reflective roofing systems, the installation of built up asphalt roofs is an energy consuming process that results in a roof that has a relatively short service life of 8-10 years. It is estimated that 7% to 10% of landfills are comprised of roofing waste due to the fact that traditional built up asphalt roofing is not sustainable and requires frequent replacement. Asphalt roofing contributes to atmospheric air pollution in the form of both toxic and green-house gases produced during installation and “out-gassing” over the life of the roof. Because solar reflective roof coating systems only require additional coats to extend their life once the initial system is in place, they help reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills associated with traditional roofing tear-off.

Reflective roof coatings act like mirrors, reflecting the sun's radiant energy back into space. When first applied, solar reflective roof coatings can provide a solar reflectance of up to 80%, which means that only 20% of the sun's energy is being absorbed as heat. Conventional built up asphalt roofing typically reflect only about 25% of sunlight. This is because they are typically covered with a gray aggregate (mineral) with a rough texture and a black substrate which allows considerable heat absorption. The solar reflectivity of the white elastomeric roof coatings can reduce the surface temperatures 55 – 75 F when applied over flat built up asphalt roof surfaces. The roof surface temperature reduction associated with white elastomeric roof coatings equate to lower cooling costs to homeowners and promote the life of the roof. Pairing energy savings with durability make elastomeric solar reflective roofing systems an environmentally friendly and sustainable roofing solution.

The advances in white solar reflective elastomeric roof coating technology over the past two decades have resulted in a durable roofing solution that addresses the need for energy-efficient roofing and durable roofing solutions.

Quinones Design/Build provides an energy efficient and durable roofing solutions. Call Quinones Design/Build today to schedule a free Solar Reflective Roofing System consultation and estimate
575-524-4646 or E-mail: jake@quinoneshomes.com

Las Cruces' Roof Coating Experts: Beat the Heat of Southern New Mexico

Keep Cooling Costs Down - Combining Proper Attic Ventilation with Solar Reflective Rood Coatings

Southern New Mexico’s summer heat presents homeowners with unique challenges when dealing with cooling their homes, keeping energy costs down and extending roof life. Installing both the proper attic space ventilation and a solar reflective roof coating can provide many benefits to reduce attic temperatures, reduce cooling costs, and extend the life of the roof.

All too often, attic space ventilation is overlooked and often ignored as a place for potential energy savings. Air trapped in the attic can easily reach 150˚, or more, during Southern New Mexico’s peak summer months. Uncirculated hot air in the attic space radiates heat into the home’s interior; this causes the heating and cooling systems to work harder and translates into higher energy costs year round. A recent survey found that close to 90% of all existing homes in the U.S. were not equipped with proper attic space ventilation. The older the home the more likely that home was not equipped with the proper attic space ventilation. Aside from increasing cooling costs; an improperly vented attic space can lead to very costly and damaging effects. Excessive heat buildup can cause a warping or buckling of the roof sheathing, cause premature failure of roof shingles (or the asphalt roofing materials of a flat roof) and decrease the service life of the roof. Proper attic space ventilation can help to reduce moisture. Trapped moisture can cause wood rot, paint blisters, roofing bubbles, reduction of insulation R-value, and mold colonization. Attic space ventilation can be accomplished by gravity ventilators, wind assisted ventilators and/or power ventilators. Regardless of the method used to vent, the purpose is to provide uniform ventilation of the attic for temperature and moisture control. For the comparatively small investment to ventilate the attic space properly, homeowners can save on costly repairs and reduce cooling costs.

Reflective roof coatings act like mirrors, reflecting the sun's radiant energy back into space. When first applied, solar reflective roof coatings can provide a solar reflectance of up to 80%, which means that only 20% of the sun's energy is being absorbed as heat. Conventional built up asphalt roofing typically reflect only about 25% of sunlight. This is because they are typically covered with a gray aggregate (mineral) with a rough texture and a black substrate which allows considerable heat absorption. The solar reflectivity of the white elastomeric roof coatings can reduce the surface temperatures 55 – 75 F when applied over flat built up asphalt roof surfaces. The roof surface temperature reduction associated with white elastomeric roof coatings equate to lower cooling costs to homeowners and promote the life of the roof. Pairing energy savings with durability make elastomeric solar reflective roofing systems an environmentally friendly and sustainable roofing solution.

From reducing cooling costs to extending the life of the roof, the proper attic space ventilation combined with a solar reflective roof coating provides homeowners with a practical solution when dealing with Southern New Mexico’s hot summers.
Contact Quinones Design/Build for a free Attic Space Ventilation and Solar Reflective Roofing System consultation.

Stay Tuned as Quinones Design/Build provides more information on energy saving home solutions.

Special Projects: Quinones Design/Build Installs Solar Reflective Coating on Jeep Rubicon Roof

Recently, Quinones Design/Build enjoyed a first in our long history of solar reflective roof coating installation. This week we applied a coating on the roof of a Jeep Rubicon. Advances in white solar reflective elastomeric roof coating over the last decade have resulted in a durable roofing system that addresses the need for energy-efficient roofing. These roof coatings provide three key benefits- durability, sustainability and energy efficient solar reflectivity. When combined, these three benefits can provide value, protection and reduced energy costs.



The owner of the Jeep Rubicon complained that the air conditioner could not keep up with the heat radiating into the vehicle from the black hardtop. We applied a ceramic sphere infused elastomeric coating to help act as a thermal barrier in addition to providing solar reflectivity.



The results were apparent after the newly coated roof was left in the sun for two hours--the unpainted black pillars were extremely hot to the touch while the white roof remained cool. In the coming days the Jeep Rubicon owner reported that the temperature in the truck was easily controlled and the air-conditioner was working considerably less.



Scope of Work for Vehicle Roof Solar Reflective Elastomeric Coating:
-Sanding, cleaning and prep of roof coating area
-Line masking and plastic covering of vehicle
-Application of (1) coat elastomeric primer
-Application of (6) coats of solar reflective elastomeric coating (ceramic sphere infused)
-24 Hour cure time prior to vehicle use

Roof Surface Temperature Comparison Chart: CLICK HERE



From reducing cooling costs to extending the life of the roof, solar reflective roof coatings provide homeowners (and drivers) with a practical solution when dealing with Southern New Mexico’s hot summers.

Contact Quinones Design/Build for a free Solar Reflective Roofing System consultation. Stay Tuned as Quinones Design/Build features the latest energy saving projects.

Quinones Design/Build: Green Roofing Solutions

Features and Benefits of a Quinones Design/Build Installed Solar Reflective Roof Coating

• Reduce roof surface temperatures: 55 – 75 F*, Reducing energy costs
• Prolonged Service Life of underlying roofing system
• Eliminates costly roof tear-off: Reduces Maintenance & Landfills
• Reduces energy consumption of roof top A/C units, due to lowering of attic space and rooftop temperature
• Minimized effects associated with Thermal Shock: Cool rain hitting a hot roof
• Reduced Urban Heat-Island Effect: Decreasing Cooling Demands and Pollutants
• Savings in cost over traditional tear-off and re-roof

* Source: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the Florida Solar Energy Center

The Anatomy of a Leak

Many home and business owners neglect roof maintenance until a leak is encountered. The problem with this method is that a leak often represents widespread problems over the entire roof area. Knowing the anatomy of a leak helps home and business owners make the right decisions in addressing roofing issues.

To better understand the anatomy of leak, we must first describe the most common type of flat roof in the Southwest- the “built up asphalt roof”. The built up asphalt roof is made up of 3-4 plies (or layers) of asphalt sheeting bonded together with hot mopped tar that ideally form a waterproof barrier. The cover sheet, or top roof layer, of most built-up asphalt roofs is covered with a fine mineral granule that is embedded into the asphalt during the manufacturing process. This colored mineral serves as a protective barrier between the cover sheet asphalt and sun.

The service life of a typical “built-up asphalt roof” is about 8 to 10 years. Within the service life, regular maintenance is required to re-seal rooftop penetrations such as skylights, vent pipes and roof vents. The typical annual maintenance for these areas involves the application of plasticized cold asphalt. The problem with these treatments, along with other petroleum based roofing products, is that they rapidly “out-gas” into the atmosphere over the course of a few years. What is left behind is brittle, non-flexible and most often permeable by moisture.

The cover sheet, or top roof layer, becomes brittle and non-flexible over time like the roof penetrations described above. When this occurs the asphalt releases the protective mineral that shields the underlying asphalt. Once the asphalt is exposed, it is subject to deterioration from UV rays, weathering elements and rapid out-gassing. Weathering elements such as rain, hail, snow, dust and wind most commonly promote the breakdown of built-up asphalt roofs. Asphalt breaks down slowly in water; the more exposure the more rapid the degradation. When hail strikes an asphalt roof it cracks the brittle asphalt, rain and wind then wash the protective mineral from the strike zone leaving behind bare asphalt. Over time dust settles into the bare asphalt voids and accelerates the roof’s breakdown resulting in cracking and water infiltration.

Understanding the anatomy of a leak is the first step in determining proper roofing solutions and maintenance. Stay tuned as Quinones Design/Build discusses their durable and energy saving solar reflective roof coating systems as a cost effective solution for home and business owners.

Quinones Design/Build provides an energy efficient and durable roofing solutions. Call Quinones Design/Build today to schedule a free Solar Reflective Roofing System consultation and estimate

575-524-4646 or E-mail: jake@quinoneshomes.com

Quinones Design/Build: The Las Cruces Roof Coating Experts

Looking for a Durable and Energy Saving roofing solution?



Quinones Design/Build installs Premium Solar Reflective Roofing Systems backed by a Limited 10-Year Workmanship & Materials Warranty. Quinones Design/Build has been in business for over 35 years and been providing Las Cruces homeowners with durable and energy saving Solar Reflective Roof Coatings for nearly two decades.

Contact Quinones Design/Build for a free Solar Reflective Roofing System Consultation at 524-4646

Quinones Design/Build: A Photo Journal of Typical New Mexico Roofing Problems

Quinones Design/Build installs Premium Solar Reflective Roofing Systems backed by a Limited 10-Year Workmanship & Materials Warranty. Quinones Design/Build has been in business for over 35 years and been providing Las Cruces homeowners with durable and energy saving Solar Reflective Roof Coatings for nearly two decades.

Contact Quinones Design/Build for a free Solar Reflective Roofing System Consultation at 524-4646

Las Cruces' Roof Coating Experts: Q&A III

What is a white roof coating?

A white coating consists of a polymeric binder blended with pigments and other additives to provide two main benefits: 1) protection of roof membranes, for longer roof life cycles; and 2) reflectivity of solar radiation, for lower air conditioning costs.

Contact Quinones Design/Build for a free Solar Reflective Roofing System consultation and estimate

Las Cruces’ Roof Coating Experts: Q&A II

Why choose a white roof coating?

White roof coatings are applied on a variety of roof substrates or membranes for a variety of reasons. For example, white roof coatings provide protection against water, chemicals, or physical damage. Additionally, white roof coatings protect a roof against excessive temperatures and UV radiation by reflecting visible light and stopping ultraviolet radiation.

Contact Quinones Design/Build for a free Solar Reflective Roofing System consultation and estimate

Las Cruces’ Roof Coating Experts: Q&A

What are the benefits of white roof coatings?

White roof coatings provide three key attributes as part of a roofing system:-The ability to help shed water and keep interiors dry-The ability to help reduce cooling costs for buildings with A/C units, and to help reduce interior temperatures on buildings with no cooling units.-The ability to protect and prolong the roof system life cycle by reducing the “thermal shock” stress associated with large temperature changes.

Contact Quinones Design/Build for a free Solar Reflective Roofing System consultation and estimate