Innovative solutions for urban heat

By Jessica Bravo. 

Exploring the impact of cool coatings on people, planet and profit.  

In this Read, Listen, Watch (RLW)®, host Heidi J. Ellsworth sits down with Lauren Rogers, the sustainability manager at Sherwin Williams, to discuss the transformative potential of cool coatings in combating urban heat islands and enhancing building energy efficiency. As urban areas continue to grow, the challenge of keeping our cities cool becomes increasingly important. Lauren’s passion for creating a sustainable and equitable environment led her from a degree in biology to one in Spanish with a focus in sustainability all the way to her role with Sherwin-Williams where her insights help the development of sustainable, cool coatings. 

What are cool coatings? 

Cool coatings consist of advanced materials and reflective pigments designed to minimize heat absorption from sunlight. By maintaining lower surface temperatures than traditional roofing materials, these coatings can significantly reduce heat buildup. Lauren describes cool coatings as “reflective paint or material that can be applied to roofs and walls... that can reduce the amount of heat absorbed by a building. This will help reduce energy bills, improve the overall feeling for the occupants within the building, help combat the urban heat island effect and reduce the amount of pollution that is emitted.”  

Benefits of cool roofs  

Overall, cool roofs offer a multitude of benefits across three key areas — public health, environmental impact and financial savings — which addresses what is called the three P’s. 

1 – People 

One of the most significant advantages of cool roofs is their contribution to public health. By reducing urban heat, these roofs help mitigate heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. High temperatures can lead to serious health conditions, including confusion and loss of consciousness. By maintaining cooler indoor and outdoor environments, cool roofs play a crucial role in lowering the incidence of these health issues, ultimately fostering healthier communities.  

2 - Planet 

From an environmental perspective, cool coatings significantly reduce pollution levels. Lauren says, “By decreasing our energy usage, cool roofs can decrease the associated air pollution and greenhouse gases associated with that energy usage. So, when applied at a scale large enough to affect ambient temperatures, cool roofs can reduce the formation of ground level ozone, which is heat dependent and reduce then the cooling to use across the entire city.” This leads to cleaner air and a healthier planet, promoting a more sustainable urban environment. Cool coatings are also compatible with solar panel installations, further enhancing their value. By reflecting sunlight, cool roofs improve the energy efficiency of solar panels without negatively impacting their performance. This synergy allows building owners to maximize the benefits of both technologies, making cool coatings an essential component of modern urban planning and building practices. 

3 - Profit 

The financial incentives of cool roofs are truly compelling. Building owners can anticipate significant savings on energy bills due to reduced cooling costs. Moreover, cool coatings not only improve a building's aesthetic appeal but also offer customization options in various colors and designs to meet specific visual goals. This allows concerns about the visual impact of upgrades to be addressed while still reaping financial benefits. As Lauren notes, “it lowers the heat transferred into the building, allowing it to stay cooler and use less energy for air conditioning.” Research supports this, demonstrating that cool roofs effectively reduce heat transfer into buildings, ensuring more comfortable indoor environments in both urban and rural settings. Ultimately, this enhanced energy efficiency results in tangible savings and increased comfort for occupants. 

Cool roofs represent a vital strategy for creating cooler, more sustainable cities by addressing the needs of people, protecting the planet and providing economic benefits.  

Read the transcript, Listen to the conversation or Watch the webinar to hear more of Lauren’s expert insights on cool roofing and coatings.