Heat reflective roof paint contains reflective pigments that bounce solar radiation instead of absorbing it, lowering roof surface temperature by several degrees and easing indoor heat. Rhinoluxe Heat Reflect is a super-bright white acrylic coating that reflects light and ultraviolet (UV) and tackles secondary heat build-up. It is UV-stable, has some waterproofing properties, and works on metal, concrete and tiled roofs.
How heat reflective paint works
Reflective paint raises the roof's solar reflectance, so less of the sun's energy turns into heat in the roof and the room below. Bright white and light tints reflect the most; the pigments also re-emit absorbed heat rather than holding it. The result is a cooler roof surface and a lower indoor heat load in summer.
How much does it cool a roof?
A bright reflective coating can drop roof surface temperature by several degrees Celsius (°C) compared with a dark roof, and lower the ceiling-space temperature below it. The gain is biggest on sun-exposed metal and flat concrete roofs over living spaces. Under a well-insulated ceiling the indoor effect is smaller, but the roof material still runs cooler and lasts longer.
Does it save on energy and cooling?
A cooler roof means less heat entering the home, so fans and air-conditioning work less in summer. The saving is largest on single-storey homes with the living space directly under the roof, and in hot regions where cooling runs for months. It also protects the roof material, which reduces long-term maintenance.
Where it helps most
Heat Reflect delivers the biggest benefit on hot inland roofs and sun-exposed metal or flat concrete roofs over rooms that overheat in summer. It is most useful in the Highveld, Karoo and Lowveld, and on north- and west-facing roof planes that take the afternoon sun.
Heat Reflect on metal, tile and concrete
It works on all three, over the correct preparation. On metal, derust and prime first; on concrete tiles, prime porous or frail tiles with Roof Tile Primer; on flat concrete it doubles as a light protective coat. The reflective effect is strongest on the flattest, most sun-exposed surfaces.
Colour and reflectance
Bright white reflects the most heat. If you want a darker roof for looks, a heat-reflective formulation recovers some of the loss versus an ordinary dark coating, but a light colour always runs cooler. Choose the lightest tone the design allows on a hot roof.
Coverage and how to apply
Apply two coats over a clean, primed roof at the specified spread rate. Prime porous concrete tiles first with Roof Tile Primer, and derust and prime metal roofs before coating. Because Heat Reflect is acrylic and UV-stable, it also protects the roof surface it cools.
Frequently asked questions
Does heat reflective roof paint really work? Yes. Reflective pigments lower roof surface temperature by several degrees and reduce indoor heat, most on sun-exposed roofs over living spaces.
Is heat reflective paint waterproof? It is an acrylic coating with some waterproofing properties, but for a roof that leaks use a dedicated waterproofing coat such as Fiber Coat.
What colour is best for a cool roof? Bright white or a light tint reflects the most heat and runs coolest.
Where to buy
Order Rhinoluxe Heat Reflect, or read the complete roof paint guide. Trade pricing: +27 84 985 6141.
