white roof

[cybermuda]

roof shingles in TV are of many different colors, but is it okay to have a roof painted white?

this would reduce heat absorption in the summer months, reduce air-con costs and keep the garage cooler - extending cart battery life

[philnpat]

Painted roofs?...I don't think so. Light colored shingles would accomplish what you're looking for.

[starflyte1]

If you use a light shingle, you may qualify for some rebates. Progressive Energy was here last week and mentioned the rebate.

[CaptJohn]

roof shingles in TV are of many different colors, but is it okay to have a roof painted white?

this would reduce heat absorption in the summer months, reduce air-con costs and keep the garage cooler - extending cart battery life

I don't know if it's ok in TV but I can tell you from personal experience it works. The white Elastomeric coating (painted on rubber like sealer, needed for expansion and contraction without cracking) reduced my attic temperature from 150 degrees to 120 on summer days when the outside temp was 95-100, thereby reducing my AC bill by at least 1/3, thereby paying for itself in no time. It's actually a sealer and will add life to your roof and keep shingles from flying off in hurricanes and it is cool (temp wise, that is) to walk on in the hottest of days. You can touch it with your hands in 100 degree weather and it is still cool (try that with any other color!). Very effective. Most all coastal Floridians had white roofs 50 years ago when there was no AC. Then they learned to be wasteful with energy since then.
Lowes and Home Depot stock the product (usually about $70 for 5 gallons) or similar ones. It's a whole lot cheaper than replacing a roof!

[jane032657]

Ugh. We have a red roof on our new Hacienda villa. I feel the heat already...and I am not there.

[cybermuda]

so who in officialdom do I need to ask?

the roof is in good condition, so I'd rather paint white than re-shingle in a lighter color

white is a very popular color for a roof in hot climates, so it would be odd if TV is against it

[joanofarctv]

I know on the historic side the mfg homes roofs are white....in fact I know someone that had a local company come out and recoat their roof with a stretchy almost elastic coating like you mentioned. I think it was anchor coatings in Leesburg?? Anyway it makes sense to me to have a white roof....why don't we all have white roofs? Save the planet!

[getdul981]

I believe you have to get permission from ARC to change the color of the roof, just like you need to get permission to change the house color. They have certain color combinations that are "allowed".

[shcisamax]

I went on the models to see what color tile they use for the roofs but nothing photographed as a light color. Does anyone have a roof that has a light color and, if so, what color is it? As I am building, I might as well think about this now so I can get the benefit of a lower electric bill.

[cybermuda]

I went on the models to see what color tile they use for the roofs but nothing photographed as a light color. Does anyone have a roof that has a light color and, if so, what color is it? As I am building, I might as well think about this now so I can get the benefit of a lower electric bill.

You may want to consider solar heating as well - the photovoltaic cells are not really economically viable yet (unless you can get a grant or a tax rebate) but you would slash your water-heating bill by putting one of those type on a south-facing roof while it is being built - cheaper and easier than retrofitting to an existing roof.

[shcisamax]

Is that what they refer to as solar panels? that are used to heat the pools? We are facing north on the lanaii and I am assuming from what I have read, we can put the solar panels on the west roof. My understanding though was that it is done after building because TV doesn't do it.

[cybermuda]

Is that what they refer to as solar panels? that are used to heat the pools? We are facing north on the lanaii and I am assuming from what I have read, we can put the solar panels on the west roof. My understanding though was that it is done after building because TV doesn't do it.

Confusingly, the term "solar panels" refers to both types - those used to generate electricity (photovoltaic) and those used to heat water or some other liquid directly.

While those for pools can be very simple - water from the pool is pumped through them, warmed by the sun, and ends up back in the pool - those used to heat water for the home are usually filled with a liquid that won't freeze, the heat from which is "exchanged" into water for you to use.

Regarding aspect, southerly is the best for heating, then a flat roof, then east or west, but not north. East/west will, of course, give you hotter water in the early morning/late afternoon respectively, which could be when you use most anyway.

While TV may not install the units themselves, getting an outside installer involved at an early stage may be a possibility - liaising with the plumber regarding pipework.

[shcisamax]

Clearly you know your solar stuff! I didn't know you need to figure out when you need the warm water. Wow. I would think the water would stay warm, over night or throughout the day no? shoot. So are you saying if I put the panels on the east side of the house, I can't run the dishwasher and take showers at night? So would I put them on both sides of the east/west exposure because I can't imagine putting them on the southern exposure which would be facing the front of the house would be very attractive and I don't think there is a roof line in that direction anyway.
Do you just ask at the design meeting to make ready your roof for the panels so they do whatever needs to be done while building? Do you have a suggestion for the solar company? or does T&D work with someone so it dovetails with their pool design?

[cybermuda]

I would think the water would stay warm, over night or throughout the day no?

Not quite as bad as I made it sound, as such systems are usually plumbed into your normal (electrically-heated) hot water system, so the water that is solar-heated would go in to your immersion heater and stay warm.

As long as the solar-heated water is hotter than that already in your tank, it will keep cycling it to keep it hot. At night, it will stay hot for quite some time, but your electric element may come on if it cools too much.

So a solar-water-heating system is an addition to, not a replacement for, your normal system and, together, they will give you hot water 24 hours a day using less electricity.

I don't have any personal experience of who to use in TV :-(

[shcisamax]

Thanks for the clarification. I suppose T&D would have a recommendation.

[Army Guy]

As was stated in earlier post, you must get ARC approval. From my doings with past ARC approvals we have done for our villa and some friends. I do not think they will approve it, as changes submitted must blend in with the rest of the homes/villas around you and not stick out or be totally different such as a totally white roof. Presently the only modifications I have heard ARC approving are solar electric or water heating panels.

Army Guy

[cybermuda]

I have finally got around to contacting the Architect Review Committee and this was their answer:

If you are in a home unit it is not necessary to complete an architectural review application form to change your roof color. If you are in a courtyard or patio villa, you must submit the architectural application form, which has been attached.

I'll let you know when I finally get round to having the roof painted white :-)

[graciegirl]

I have finally got around to contacting the Architect Review Committee and this was their answer:

If you are in a home unit it is not necessary to complete an architectural review application form to change your roof color. If you are in a courtyard or patio villa, you must submit the architectural application form, which has been attached.

I'll let you know when I finally get round to having the roof painted white :-)

You can paint those gritty roof shingles? They have paint for roof shingles? I don't think I ever saw a painted roof. White is gonna really stand out.:shrug:

[pfhannan]

It makes sense to have white, but the districts have different requirements, read your deed restrictions, or call deed compliance

[jgbama]

You can paint those gritty roof shingles? They have paint for roof shingles? I don't think I ever saw a painted roof. White is gonna really stand out.:shrug:

I believe a earlier post said it was a coating, not like actual paint.

The house inspector told me about the barrier (don't remember the exact name) that goes on the inside, in the attic. I'm thinking about checking into that down the road. That should serve the same purpose, plus you wouldn't risk making the house stand out from all the neighbors. Just MHO!

[JLHart]

I believe a earlier post said it was a coating, not like actual paint.

The house inspector told me about the barrier (don't remember the exact name) that goes on the inside, in the attic. I'm thinking about checking into that down the road. That should serve the same purpose, plus you wouldn't risk making the house stand out from all the neighbors. Just MHO!

Indeed, the "paint" is an elastomeric type ... as in plastic. It can and will adhere to almost any clean surface including: wood, metal, concrete, asphalt and shingles. It can be rolled on, but is best applied with heavy duty spray eqpt. It works very well.


The radiant barriers are a foil like material that is attached to the bottom sides of the roof rafters / trusses. I had serious doubts about it when it hit the market .... but it does seem to work well. NOTE: many villas (both patio & courtyard) have roof construction that makes it impossible to use these radiant barriers, except in the garage.

Energy Savers: Radiant Barriers (http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11680)

Personally, I would like to have a metal roof. They are expensive (as in 3x the cost of shingles) .... but last virtually forever, are highly energy efficient and available in basic galvanized and a wide range of colors

[cybermuda]

The house inspector told me about the barrier that goes on the inside, in the attic. That should serve the same purpose, plus you wouldn't risk making the house stand out from all the neighbors.

Yes, I hear that works pretty well, too

My reasoning behind going for the outside not the inside is:

1) the white coating reflects the heat before it heats up the roof, whereas the inner barrier reflects it back into the roofing material once it has already passed through. Not sure if this affects the roofing material (in terms of expansion etc.) but I should think that prevention is better than cure.

2) painting the outside should be quicker and easier (i.e. cheaper) than having workmen crawling around inside, especially at the edges where there is little space to work. Plus less likelihood of a foot coming through your ceiling.

3) the outer coating provides additional benefits as a sealant and should help to prolong the life of the roofing material.

I have looked at my neighborhood on Google Earth and the roof colors range from a deep, brick red through all types of brown, green and gray to almost white, so I don't think sticking out would be a problem here. If anything, it would give the neighborhood a tropical feel :-)

[CaptJohn]

Yes, I hear that works pretty well, too

My reasoning behind going for the outside not the inside is:

1) the white coating reflects the heat before it heats up the roof, whereas the inner barrier reflects it back into the roofing material once it has already passed through. Not sure if this affects the roofing material (in terms of expansion etc.) but I should think that prevention is better than cure.

2) painting the outside should be quicker and easier (i.e. cheaper) than having workmen crawling around inside, especially at the edges where there is little space to work. Plus less likelihood of a foot coming through your ceiling.

3) the outer coating provides additional benefits as a sealant and should help to prolong the life of the roofing material.

I have looked at my neighborhood on Google Earth and the roof colors range from a deep, brick red through all types of brown, green and gray to almost white, so I don't think sticking out would be a problem here. If anything, it would give the neighborhood a tropical feel :-)

Those were my conclusions before using it in addition to an old roof.
I use: Gardner's Black Jack, Ultra Roof 1000, Elastomeric coating. White.
Available at Lowe's for about $82 for 5 gallons. Took 3-4 cans for 1300 sq ft house with hip roof. Did a recoat this month after 4 years and hardly need to turn on the AC. Just get up there with a paint roller and have at it. Just don't back yourself off the roof! Cool to the touch at noon. Amazing stuff!