Cool Roof Thermal Insulation Coating
ElastoTherm AC
This article explains how our thermal insulation coating, Elastotherm AC, can be used to create a "cool roof" which helps to keep buildings cool on hot, sunny days.
Key Takeaways
- A cool roof reduces air conditioning costs, saving money and reducing carbon emissions.
- Elastotherm AC is an easy to apply water-based coating that can be used to create a cool roof or cool building.
- Independent tests show a reduction of roof surface temperature by 21°C.
- The finish of Elastotherm AC is weatherproof and decorative with a lifetime of over 20 years.
On this page:
- Cool Roofs Reduce Inside Temperature on Hot, Sunny Days
- Advantages of Elastotherm AC
- Long Term Protection of Buildings & Roofs
- Thermal Heat Testing of Elastotherm AC
- How Elastotherm AC Works
Cool Roofs Reduce Inside Temperature on Hot, Sunny Days
A cool roof is the term that is used to describe a roof that does not get very hot in the sun, when compared to a standard roof. Cool roofs are often white, but not always. They work by being excellent at reflecting sunlight and giving off heat. As a result the inside of a building with a cool roof does not get as hot, saving both air conditioning costs and carbon emissions.
EABASSOC Elastotherm AC is ideal for creating cool roofs and is suitable for both internal and external use on all substrates including metal, concrete and fibre-cement. It is a ready to use, water-based coating that gives exceptional thermal insulation, anti-carbonation and weatherproof properties. It also provides an attractive, decorative finish. For more information and a quotation Contact Us.
Advantages of Elastotherm AC
- Can be used to create cool roofs and cool buildings
- Saves Money! Reduces air conditioning costs
and reduces carbon emissions - Saves on repairs caused by corrosion damage
- Excellent thermal insulation results
- Highly resistant to weathering and UV
- Outstanding anti-carbonation properties
- Excellent adhesion and flexibility
- Easy to apply
- Waterproof but allows buildings to breathe
- Non-hazardous and environmentally safe
- High fire resistance rating
- Extremely Durable
- Decorative, colour-stable appearance
EABASSOC Elastotherm AC is easy to apply, non-hazardous and environmentally safe.
Long Term Protection of Buildings & Roofs
EABASSOC Elastotherm AC not only gives outstanding thermal insulation results, but forms a tough, durable coating, which provides long term protection for more than 20 years exposed.
EABASSOC Elastotherm AC performs exceptionally against destructive elements such as UV radiation, weathering, high and low temperatures, and atmospheric pollution.
EABASSOC Elastotherm AC forms a highly durable, tightly bonded, flexible, protective coating, waterproof yet breathable, and visually attractive.
When applied onto concrete EABASSOC Elastotherm AC resists penetration by water and carbon dioxide gas, thereby minimising the risk of concrete carbonation. The elastomeric nature of the product, which allows the coating to move with the substrate, and its excellent adhesion virtually eliminate any cracking or delamination of the coating.
- Multi-Functional Coating
- Can be used to create a cool roof
- Solar Reflectance Index = 110.9
- Decorative
- Anti-carbonation
- Thermal Insulation
Thermal Heat Testing of Elastotherm AC
The images below show a test area where a rectangle of Elastotherm AC white has been applied to a roof and a computer enhaced thermograph of the same roof. The thermogram was taken using Infra-Red cameras and highlights how much cooler the roof surface is where Elastotherm AC white has been applied. The Elastotherm AC white has reduced the surface temperature by 21°C. This temperature reduction reduces heat stress on the roof and keeps the inside of the building cooler, reducing air conditioning (AC) costs and in some cases completely eliminating the need for air conditioning.
Testing was carried out by Infrascan (Asia) Ltd at the CLP Sham Shui Po Centre, Kowloon, Hong Kong on 22.06.2010. Following the tests the entire roof was coated with Elastotherm AC white.
How Elastotherm AC Works
In order to reduce the temperature of a surface, e.g. a roof or wall, Elastotherm AC works in two ways. Firstly it is excellent at reflecting sunlight and secondly it is excellent at giving off (emitting) heat. The combination of these two properties keep the surface cool. This stops the heat transfering into the building. The inside temperature will remain cooler making the building more comfortable for the people living or working inside. It will also reduce the need for air conditioning, saving both money and carbon emissions.
Solar reflectance is a measurement of the amount of visible (white) light that is reflected off the surface. Emissivity or emittance, is a measurement of the amount of heat given off (radiated) by the surface. Both of these measurements fall between zero and one. Zero means that there is no reflectance/emittance. One means that there is 100% reflectance/emittance. Both of these measurements are used to calculate the Solar Reflective Index, which is described in ASTM E1980-11. These properties for various colours of Elastotherm AC are shown in the table below.
| Colour | Solar Reflectance | Emissivity | Solar Reflectance Index | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind Speed | |||||
| Low | Medium | High | |||
| White | 0.87 | 0.89 | 110.9 | 109.9 | 109.4 |
| Moss Green | 0.72 | 0.88 | 87.2 | 88.3 | 88.9 |
| Ash Grey | 0.61 | 0.87 | 70.5 | 72.6 | 73.8 |
| Goose Grey | 0.36 | 0.87 | 36.0 | 38.5 | 40.2 |
Independent testing carried out by R&D Services, USA.
Elastotherm AC is known as a Radiation Control Coating (RCC) because of its high solar reflectance and high emissivity. The application of this type of coating to a building will lower the albedo or reflectiveness of the building. In urban environments, lowering the albedo of many buildings will reduce the heat island effect and subsequently the amount of smog. It is also a good energy efficiency measure since it reduces air conditioning costs and carbon emissions. It also means that there will be lower heat stress on the building and therefore reduced maintenance costs.
For more information and a quotation Contact Us.
READ MORE: EABASSOC Elastotherm AC Datasheet (pdf)