You Can See Poor From Space

**Politburo** · 07-02-2012, 02:25 PM

Yes, but you don't get that much heating from the sun in winter, due to the angle of the sun's rays (iirc). So on the balance, it is not advantageous.

**NickFromGtown** · 07-02-2012, 03:09 PM

People are really overthinking this and overanalyzing what's going on here. Some people almost make it sound like poorer people aren't "smart" enough to go green. When you get your roof coated with white, that usually means you had your roof redone recently. Those flat roofs only last like 10-15 years. So, therefore, I think it's this simple:

Areas without many white roofs have 1) lots of vacant lots, 2) lots of abandoned buildings, 3) lots of people who can't afford to fix their homes, and 4) lots of people who don't care to fix their homes (i.e. slumlords and people who inherited houses that don't maintain them).
Areas with many white roofs have 1) lots of rehabs happening, 2) respectable landlords, and 3) homeowners with jobs who can afford to fix their homes.

**ratt2581** · 07-02-2012, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by lemko

Wouldn't a black roof actually be advantageous in the winter? The roof absorbs the heat from the sun and snow will more quickly melt off of it?

I think since the sun is lower and the days are shorter in the winter, any gains of a black roof are outweighed by the benefits of a white roof in the summer (longer days, more direct sunlight hitting the roof).

**seand** · 07-02-2012, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by ratt2581

I think since the sun is lower and the days are shorter in the winter, any gains of a black roof are outweighed by the benefits of a white roof in the summer (longer days, more direct sunlight hitting the roof).

Also, the chief benefit is not to make the house cooler but to extend the lifetime of the roof. The heat and the UV breaks down the roofing material over time, making it more brittle and likely to crack or fail. The ambient temperture change is a side benefit. Keeping the surface of the roofing material itself cooler, extends life expectancy of the roof. Or so I've read.

Any benefit in terms of interior cooling is just an extra side benefit. The original point was to make your roof last longer.

**palvar** · 07-02-2012, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by NickFromGtown

Areas without many white roofs have 1) lots of vacant lots, 2) lots of abandoned buildings, 3) lots of people who can't afford to fix their homes, and 4) lots of people who don't care to fix their homes (i.e. slumlords and people who inherited houses that don't maintain them).
Areas with many white roofs have 1) lots of rehabs happening, 2) respectable landlords, and 3) homeowners with jobs who can afford to fix their homes.

That makes too much sense!