Green Building Forum - Painting roof tiles white - any issues? Mon, 11 May 2026 16:45:40 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79743#Comment_79743 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79743#Comment_79743 Sat, 10 Apr 2010 11:34:56 +0100 dan_aka_jack
Are there any legal or structural issues I need to worry about? The study's roof is not visible from the street. The only people who can see the roof are my direct neighbours and of course I'll discuss my plans before I start any work. Will the paint prevent the tiles from breathing sufficiently? (do concrete tiles need to breath?!) Any recommendations on which paint I should use? (might this be a good opportunity to try some "insulation" paint with high emissivity?).

If I wanted to paint my entire roof white, would I need to get planning consent?]]> Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79744#Comment_79744 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79744#Comment_79744 Sat, 10 Apr 2010 11:46:36 +0100 tony Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79751#Comment_79751 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79751#Comment_79751 Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:52:47 +0100 SteamyTea Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79752#Comment_79752 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79752#Comment_79752 Sat, 10 Apr 2010 16:04:41 +0100 tony Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79754#Comment_79754 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79754#Comment_79754 Sat, 10 Apr 2010 16:12:36 +0100 SteamyTea


Posted By: tonyHow much heat do you have to throw at it in winter?


Probably the same amount that has to be expelled in summer:devil:]]> Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79761#Comment_79761 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79761#Comment_79761 Sat, 10 Apr 2010 19:19:11 +0100 CWatters Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79785#Comment_79785 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79785#Comment_79785 Sun, 11 Apr 2010 18:01:04 +0100 chuckey Frank]]> Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79788#Comment_79788 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79788#Comment_79788 Sun, 11 Apr 2010 18:24:45 +0100 SteamyTea
Personally I would not to do it as it is really a re-roofing job but would like some one else to try it out and report back:bigsmile:]]> Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79815#Comment_79815 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79815#Comment_79815 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:08:39 +0100 dan_aka_jack
I would love to insulate it now but that just isn't practical unfortunately; we're planning to renovate the upstairs in a year or two so I'd prefer to do the insulation then. The room isn't heated much in winter to be honest; I just put on more jumpers.

How would you suggest I attach the silver foil to the tiles? The only secure yet removable way I can think of is to take each tile off, one by one, and wrap the foil round the tile. But that sounds rather labour intensive. Any other ideas?]]> Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79817#Comment_79817 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79817#Comment_79817 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:26:33 +0100 gustyturbine ]]> Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79818#Comment_79818 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79818#Comment_79818 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:32:41 +0100 dan_aka_jack Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79858#Comment_79858 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79858#Comment_79858 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:35:25 +0100 Gotanewlife Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79862#Comment_79862 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79862#Comment_79862 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:53:48 +0100 Nick Parsons Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79873#Comment_79873 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79873#Comment_79873 Tue, 13 Apr 2010 08:01:08 +0100 SteamyTea Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79969#Comment_79969 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79969#Comment_79969 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 10:36:43 +0100 dan_aka_jack
* remove each tile one-by-one
* apply some contact adhesive to the tile
* wrap the tile in silver foil push the foil into the adhesive
* replace the tile

Does that sound about right?

If the foil blows away in the wind then it wont cause too much damage, unlikely large sheets of ply. Plus the silver foil shouldn't rot.

Then if the neighbours complain you can always remove the silver foil, especially if you use the contact adhesive on the back of the tile.

I'd be worried silver foil would rip too easily. Are there any cost-effective laminates where two thin plastic sheets sandwich a silver layer? The only such products I've found are expensive and too thick. Or maybe it's best just to use white plastic sheeting rather than silver (not quite as reflective as silver but a lot better than black tiles).]]> Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79971#Comment_79971 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=79971#Comment_79971 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 10:43:57 +0100 evan

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Solar-Reflective-Aluminium-Roofing-Paint/invt/191214?source=123_4]]> Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80032#Comment_80032 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80032#Comment_80032 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:43:53 +0100 fostertom Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80034#Comment_80034 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80034#Comment_80034 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:56:19 +0100 betterroof Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80052#Comment_80052 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80052#Comment_80052 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 21:04:20 +0100 tony
If it were mine I would take off the top row of tiles cut a hole on the sarking and fill the voids with polystyrene beads.]]> Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80067#Comment_80067 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80067#Comment_80067 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 22:25:25 +0100 SteamyTea Posted By: betterroofstick a diy flat plate on it, a proper bodged one, just for now, and use some of that energy!

Not such a bad idea really.



Posted By: SteamyTeabut would like some one else to try it out and report back


So who is game for this? Could try it on a tile on a polystyrene box with a thermometer in it next to one without any coating, see what the difference really is.
Could try that myself, better go looking for tiles tomorrow morning as I think it is going to be sunny.]]> Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80650#Comment_80650 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80650#Comment_80650 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:37:04 +0100 SteamyTea Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80681#Comment_80681 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80681#Comment_80681 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 08:38:03 +0100 dan_aka_jack
The silver foil has a remarkable effect.

Any thoughts on what effect a gloss or matte white finish would have, as compared to silver?

One worry about the foil is that neighbours will think I'm a paranoid conspiracy theorist protecting myself from alien mind control.]]> Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80684#Comment_80684 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80684#Comment_80684 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 08:54:05 +0100 SteamyTea
I intend to paint them and see what happens. I was amazed by the difference in this relatively lower power application.

More to follow in time.]]> Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80700#Comment_80700 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80700#Comment_80700 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 10:16:04 +0100 decor8uk It is a thermal roof primer and a heat reflective topcoat for domestic roof tiles, commercial felt/bitumen, steel, cladded, & asbestos flat roofs.
ClimateCooler has been independently tested by the Danish Technological Institute for it's thermal and heat reflective values.
The primer insulates to the same value as 1/3rd Rockwool insulation and the topcoat reflects over 70% of heat.
Therefore keeps buildings warmer in winter & cooler in summer. Tests show that it can reduce your inside building temperature by 15degC - lowering cooling costs!!
1 tonne of C02 emissions are reduced year on year for every 200m2 coated in Climate Cooler.
It also has a life expectancy in excess of 10 yrs!
If you require any further info, get in touch]]> Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80702#Comment_80702 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80702#Comment_80702 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 10:25:49 +0100 SteamyTea
Any chance of a sample so I can try it out?]]> Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80703#Comment_80703 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80703#Comment_80703 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 10:25:55 +0100 marktime
Surely the reduction is due to shading although there will be a contribution from the foil. Shading is the most effective way to reduce insolation and it may be what is happening here. 23 deg drop for foil alone is suspect.]]> Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80705#Comment_80705 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80705#Comment_80705 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 10:35:01 +0100 SteamyTea
The 23 C (ish) is a peak temperature, not had a chance to fully analyse the data yet but I will. Apart from the the radiation and external temperature the two tiles (or the void beneath them) fit in with Newtons Law of Cooling. I agree that the best way is to shade, but this can be a bit tricky on a roof of a house.

I am going to do a few more tests to see where it leads, in fact I am just off to get some more tiles and insulation now to make a better test rig up. More to follow.]]> Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80710#Comment_80710 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80710#Comment_80710 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:08:10 +0100 marktime
In tests on thermocouples at room temperature (20 deg C), in a lab enclosing them with a bright silver tube or matt black tube changed the absolute measurement by approx 1 deg C.]]> Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80711#Comment_80711 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80711#Comment_80711 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:08:27 +0100 decor8uk
We have a rig made up with a heat lamp heating two "mock up buildings" one tile is coated with BLACK ClimateCooler the other coated with a reputable BLACK roof tile coating.
Black is obviously the biggest conducter of heat so if it was coated another colour the heat refelectancy would be even greater!
We have thermometers inside each "building" and after an hour the inside tempersture of ClimateCooler reads 28 deg C the non ClimateCooler reads 43deg C !!
You could put your hands on the ClimateCooler tile but the standard coated tile is too hot to touch!

A case study has been done at "The Clarion Hotel" Copenahgen . They expect the project to have paid for itself in 2 years due to cooling savings in their air con ! Their roof was 5500m2 and will reduce their CO2 emissions by 27 tonnes year on year - the equivalent of driving 105,000 miles in a car!!

It costs 5 times more to cool a building than to heat one!

I can forward you a copy if you would like?]]> Painting roof tiles white - any issues? https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80713#Comment_80713 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5643&Focus=80713#Comment_80713 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:15:03 +0100 SteamyTea
Yes I would like to read that, thanks.]]>