Choosing between a reflective (cool) roof and a traditional, darker roof isn’t one-size-fits-all—especially along Colorado’s Front Range, where high elevation, intense UV, hail, and freeze–thaw cycles challenge every roofing system. This guide explains how reflective and traditional roofs perform, where each excels, and how AC INC. Roofing (Advanced Consulting, Inc.) can help you decide with data-driven inspections and premium installation.
AC INC. Roofing is a licensed and insured contractor based at 6145 Broadway, Suite 25, Denver, CO 80216, serving the Denver metro area, the Front Range, and Cheyenne, WY. We’re Colorado’s first company to reach Master HAAG Certification, an Atlas Pro+ Platinum Certified contractor (eligible for up to 50-year warranties), GAF Certified (System Plus warranties available), Directorii-certified (backed by up to $20,000), and Fortified Roofing Solutions certified.
What is a reflective (cool) roof?
A reflective or “cool” roof is designed to reduce heat gain by:
– High solar reflectance: bouncing more sunlight away.
– High thermal emittance: releasing the heat the roof does absorb.
Together, these are captured by the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI). Higher SRI generally means a cooler roof surface under the sun, which can help reduce summertime cooling loads and heat-related wear.
Common reflective options we install or service:
– Low-slope membranes: bright white TPO; EPDM or Modified Bitumen enhanced with fluid-applied coatings.
– Coating systems: elastomeric or silicone fluid-applied coatings to restore reflectivity and extend service life on suitable substrates.
– Steep-slope roofs: light-colored metal and certain lighter tile selections can offer higher reflectivity than dark roofs; cool-color asphalt shingles are also available in the market. AC INC. installs premium Atlas shingle systems and impact-resistant options.
Traditional roofs typically use darker colors (e.g., black EPDM, dark asphalt shingles) that absorb more heat.
Front Range climate factors to weigh
- Intense sun and UV: At altitude, UV is stronger. Reflective membranes and coatings can reduce thermal cycling and UV degradation of the roof surface.
- Hail and wind: Reflectivity doesn’t equal hail resistance. Material thickness, impact ratings, and fastening methods matter more. AC INC. installs impact-resistant shingles, robust metal systems, Modified Bitumen, and single-ply membranes designed for Colorado’s storms.
- Snow and ice: In winter, roofs are often snow-covered, which reduces any cooling penalty from reflectivity. Smooth, reflective metal can shed snow quickly—plan for snow guards where needed.
- Freeze–thaw and ponding: Proper design, insulation, and drainage are essential. Coatings can help resist UV and weathering but won’t correct structural ponding or saturated insulation.
Benefits of reflective roofs
- Lower summertime roof temperatures, reducing cooling loads on many commercial buildings and some homes.
- Improved occupant comfort in top floors and attics when paired with proper ventilation and insulation.
- Reduced thermal stress on roofing materials from daily heat swings, which can extend service life.
- Potential compliance with local energy codes or green building goals for certain projects.
- Urban heat island mitigation on large, sun-exposed roofs.
Trade-offs and limitations
- Winter heating: In well-insulated roofs, the winter “heating penalty” is often modest; however, very small or highly shaded buildings may see limited benefit from high reflectivity.
- Aesthetics and HOAs: Some neighborhoods prefer traditional colors; cool-color options can bridge the gap on steep-slope roofs.
- Glare: Light roofs can reflect glare onto nearby windows; thoughtful color selection and parapet heights can help.
- Hail protection: Choose impact-resistant shingles, thicker membranes, or appropriate metal gauges—reflectivity alone doesn’t boost hail performance.
Material-by-material: Reflective vs traditional
- TPO (low-slope)
- Reflective: Typically bright white with high SRI by design; excellent for commercial roofs in sunny, high-elevation climates.
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Traditional alternative: Dark membranes (e.g., black EPDM) may warm slightly in winter but run much hotter in summer.
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EPDM (low-slope)
- Reflective: Can be coated to increase reflectance in the right conditions.
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Traditional: Black EPDM is durable but absorbs heat; consider insulation and ventilation strategies.
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Modified Bitumen (low-slope)
- Reflective: Coating systems can restore reflectivity and waterproofing on sound substrates.
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Traditional: Granulated cap sheets in darker colors are common and serviceable.
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Metal (steep or low-slope with standing seam)
- Reflective: Light colors and cool finishes help keep surfaces cooler; plan snow retention where needed.
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Traditional: Dark finishes for specific aesthetics; manage attic ventilation and insulation.
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Asphalt shingles (steep-slope)
- Reflective: Select lighter tones or cool-color options available on the market to moderate attic temps.
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Traditional: Darker shingles are common; consider attic ventilation, radiant barriers, and insulation to control heat.
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Tile
- Reflective: Light-colored tile or products with reflective surfaces can reduce heat gain.
- Traditional: Darker tile remains a solid choice when energy balance and aesthetics call for it.
Reflective coatings vs replacement
Fluid-applied coatings are a powerful tool when the existing roof is fundamentally sound:
– Best for: Aging TPO/EPDM/Modified Bitumen and many metal roofs with intact adhesion, dry insulation, and correct drainage.
– Advantages: Cost-effective, minimal disruption, restores reflectivity, seals seams and minor cracks, and can add years of service life.
– Limitations: Not a cure for saturated insulation, severe hail bruising/splits, trapped moisture, or structural issues. Those may require targeted repairs or replacement.
AC INC. Roofing provides thorough moisture scanning and HAAG-certified inspections to determine whether coating, repair, rejuvenation, or replacement is the right path.
Hail, wind, and warranty considerations
- Fortified performance: As a Fortified Roofing Solutions certified contractor, we install systems engineered to withstand up to 130 mph winds, EF-2 tornadoes, and 2″ hail when specified.
- Impact resistance: We offer impact-resistant shingles and robust commercial assemblies to help mitigate hail damage.
- Premium warranties: As an Atlas Pro+ Platinum Certified contractor, eligible shingle systems can carry up to 50-year warranties; as a GAF Certified contractor, System Plus warranties are available on qualifying systems.
- Directorii protection: Our Directorii certification backs you with up to a $20,000 customer guarantee.
When to choose reflective vs traditional
Choose reflective when:
– You manage a large, sun-exposed, low-slope commercial roof (TPO or coated systems excel here).
– Upper-floor comfort and summer cooling bills are a priority.
– Your project may benefit from cool-roof compliance or sustainability goals.
Choose traditional/darker when:
– Aesthetic uniformity or HOA guidelines point to darker tones.
– You have steep-slope residential roofs where attic insulation/ventilation already control heat effectively.
– You’re in microclimates where winter solar gain matters more than summer cooling.
Often, a hybrid approach—thoughtful color selection, proper insulation and ventilation, and targeted use of coatings—delivers the best overall performance in Colorado.
Decision checklist
- Roof type and slope (low-slope vs steep-slope)
- Current insulation and ventilation performance
- Energy bills: cooling- vs heating-dominated usage
- Hail and wind exposure, and needed impact/wind ratings
- HOA or architectural guidelines
- Code and sustainability goals
- Remaining roof life and substrate condition (moisture, adhesion, ponding)
- Warranty objectives and budget
Why AC INC. Roofing
- Master HAAG Certified inspections and documentation (Colorado’s first to reach Master level)
- Residential and commercial expertise, including storm damage restoration and insurance claims support
- Premium systems: asphalt and impact-resistant shingles, metal and tile, TPO, EPDM, Modified Bitumen, and fluid-applied coatings
- Atlas Pro+ Platinum and GAF Certified installer
- Fortified Roofing Solutions certified for extreme weather performance
- Directorii-certified with up to $20,000 customer guarantee
- Local, licensed, insured, and 5.0-star Google-rated service across the Denver metro, the Front Range, and Cheyenne, WY
Get a free roof inspection by our HAAG-certified inspectors and a clear, data-backed recommendation—coat, repair, rejuvenate, or replace—tailored to your property and goals.