Suppliers & Partnerships
Q+A with BlueScope | Choosing your COLORBOND® steel roof colour
16-11-2022
Between rising energy costs, extreme weather events and regulatory changes, it’s easy to see why energy efficiency is so vital to prospective homeowners. While all Arden homes are 100% carbon neutral, there’s an additional element that can improve energy efficiency even more – and that’s a pale-coloured roof.
We know that clients will enjoy the incredible benefits of COLORBOND® steel no matter which colour they choose. With COLORBOND® steel’s easy maintenance, incredible endurance and energy-efficient design, every colour delivers. (And excitingly, a brand-new range of colours has just launched!).
Today we’re chatting with Alison Fenton, BlueScope Design and Colour Consultant, to understand the unique offerings of a light-coloured roof.
‘Our COLORBOND® steel colour palette ranges from pale, to mid, to deep to suit the needs of architects, and builders and to reflect design trends. As construction codes have an increasingly strict focus on energy efficiency, we’re educating consumers about these features and benefits, and breaking down the relevant terminology.’ Alison explains.
And what terminology should you know about when choosing a roof colour? Alison says that there are a few things to understand – Solar Absorptance (SA), Solar Reflectance Index (SRI), and thermal mass.
Solar Absorptance and Solar Reflectance Index
A roof with a low SA value generally absorbs less heat from the sun, helping keep your home and the air surrounding your home cooler. This can help save on cooling costs and improve summertime thermal comfort, making it an ideal choice for clients in warm climates. And SRI, the Solar Reflectance Index, is another term to rank the coolness of a roof material under sunny conditions.
Alison explains that even in a cooler climate, a low SA roof is a wise choice as the summer benefits usually outweigh any additional winter heating that may be required.
So, our hot tip for prospective homeowners? Chat to our Colour Consultants during your colour appointment about the SA value of your ideal roof choice.
Thermatech® Solar Reflectance Technology
As well as having a choice of paler-toned colours with lower SA values, you can have confidence knowing that COLORBOND® steel’s core colour range in the Classic and Matt finish (excluding Night Sky®) features our scientifically designed Thermatech® solar reflectance technology. Thermatech® technology is designed to reflect more of the sun’s heat on hot sunny days, which can help keep homes cooler in the summer*.
Understanding thermal mass
Of course, energy-efficient homes come down to more than just the roof. Take, for instance, thermal mass – the ability of a material to store heat. High thermal mass can be a benefit in some climates, but it all comes down to how it’s designed into the building. When executed carefully, thermal mass averages out day and night extremes, increasing comfort and reducing energy costs.
‘Because roofs cannot be shielded from the sun, using lower thermal mass responsive materials like COLORBOND® steel can help, because it cools down fast once the sun is off the roof,’ Alison shared.
‘Ideally thermal mass is best located inside your home. It allows you to trap the heat generated by low altitude winter sunlight coming in through your windows and release it slowly at night to naturally warm your home. Floors and internal walls with high thermal mass are ideal for this purpose.’
If you’re curious about building a new home, or if you’re deciding on all things roofing, don’t hesitate to get in touch.