## [meta] Page metadata
- [meta-title] Cool roof FAQ: reflective coating questions | Covalba
- [meta-description] Everything you need to know about Covalba cool roof reflective coatings: savings, SRI, maintenance, durability, waterproofing and installation.

## [hero] Header
- [hero-badge] FAQ
- [hero-title] Everything you need to know about reflective cool roof coatings.
- [hero-subtitle] Find answers to frequently asked questions about thermal comfort, energy savings, technical performance, maintenance and installation.

## [categories] Navigation categories
- [cat-generalites-label] General
- [cat-generalites-count] 5 questions
- [cat-technique-label] Technical criteria
- [cat-technique-count] 5 questions
- [cat-durabilite-label] Maintenance and durability
- [cat-durabilite-count] 4 questions
- [cat-chantier-label] Installation
- [cat-chantier-count] 4 questions

## [faq-generalites] General
- [q-pourquoi-toit] Why focus your efforts on the roof?
- [a-pourquoi-toit] The roof is the surface most exposed to solar radiation. On industrial, logistics and commercial buildings, flat roofs can exceed 80°C during the hot season and contribute significantly to rising indoor temperatures.
- [q-factures-energie] Will applying a reflective coating reduce my energy bills?
- [a-factures-energie] A cooler roof lets less heat into the building. In air-conditioned spaces, energy costs fall accordingly thanks to reduced air-conditioning use. The savings depend on the building, its use and its insulation level.
- [q-roi] What ROI can I expect from Covalba reflective coatings?
- [a-roi] The return on investment varies by building type and activity. The lower the temperature setpoint, the stronger the impact can be. Expect roughly 5 years for a large supermarket at 24°C, and 2 to 3 years for a refrigerated building at 4°C.
- [q-chauffage-hiver] Could a cool roof increase my heating bills in winter?
- [a-chauffage-hiver] Solar gain through the roof in winter stays low: the sun is lower and less intense, days are shorter and sunshine is less frequent. The coating mainly limits incoming heat in summer.
- [q-autorisation] Is prior authorization required?
- [a-autorisation] We recommend checking local planning rules before any project. As a general rule, the flat roofs of industrial buildings in business or industrial zones are more easily granted approval to change roof color.

## [faq-technique] Technical criteria
- [q-reflectance] What is solar reflectance?
- [a-reflectance] Solar reflectance describes a surface's ability to reflect solar radiation, including both visible light and invisible rays. CovaTherm technology reflects 94% of solar radiation.
- [q-emissivite] What is thermal emissivity?
- [a-emissivite] Thermal emissivity is a material's ability to emit absorbed heat as thermal radiation. Covalba reflective coatings re-emit 88% of the heat they receive.
- [q-sri-definition] What is the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI)?
- [a-sri-definition] The SRI represents a roof's ability to reject solar heat. It is calculated according to the ASTM E1980 standard, based on solar reflectance and thermal emissivity.
- [q-sri-covatherm] What is CovaTherm's SRI?
- [a-sri-covatherm] CovaTherm has an SRI of 119 when new and an SRI of 118 when aged.
- [q-substances] Do Covalba coatings contain any hazardous substances?
- [a-substances] The components contain no substance classified as a chemical of concern and present no known hazard to health or the environment.

## [faq-durabilite] Maintenance and durability
- [q-entretien-contraignant] Is maintenance as demanding as on a conventional roof?
- [a-entretien-contraignant] No. The system includes a finish that reduces dirt adhesion and moss growth. An annual check and a water rinse if needed are enough to preserve performance.
- [q-entretien-realiser] Is any maintenance required?
- [a-entretien-realiser] Covalba recommends an annual roof inspection and, if necessary, a water cleaning to remove particles that have accumulated on the coating.
- [q-garanties] What guarantees cover the product and its performance?
- [a-garanties] When the CovaTherm system is installed by a qualified professional applicator, it is covered by a warranty on adhesion to the substrate. A 4,000-hour accelerated aging test shows that reflective performance is maintained.
- [q-garantie-etancheite] Is the waterproofing warranty maintained?
- [a-garantie-etancheite] Applying a Covalba cool roof coating over a waterproofing system under warranty involves no structural modification and no change to its use. The waterproofing warranty is therefore maintained.

## [faq-chantier] Installation
- [q-charpente] Does the roof structure need to be reinforced beforehand?
- [a-charpente] No. Applying CovaTherm poses no risk to the structure: its low weight, between 0.8 kg/m² and 1.2 kg/m², can be supported by existing roofs.
- [q-etancheite-amelioration] Do Covalba solutions improve waterproofing?
- [a-etancheite-amelioration] CovaTherm is primarily a thermo-reflective coating, not a primary waterproofing layer. Its continuous, thick and elastic film can, however, seal microcracks up to 2 mm and help improve overall waterproofing.
- [q-photovoltaique] What is the impact on a photovoltaic installation?
- [a-photovoltaique] A cooler roof can improve panel output during the hot season, with around 10% gain for monofacial panels and 20% to 25% for bifacial installations.
- [q-eaux-pluie] Is rainwater affected?
- [a-eaux-pluie] A runoff analysis carried out by an accredited laboratory found no traces of pollutants, including PFAS, in rainwater from a roof coated with a Covalba product.

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