Green Roof Albedo

One of the more recent advancements in the field of green commercial construction are what are known as cool or albedo roofs.

Green roof albedo.

Albedo or solar reflectance is a measure of a material s ability to reflect sunlight including the visible infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths on a scale of 0 to 1 an albedo of 0 0 indicates that the surface absorbs all solar radiation and an albedo of 1 0 represents total reflectivity. Rooftop gardens and green roof systems such as the stormcap create a buffer preventing heat from entering the building. The new concrete is a whitish gray color that is able to reflect sunlight and keep not only the roads cooler but also the adjacent buildings. Sustainable roofing glossary albedo.

The city of chicago has also attempted to make a change by creating a network of green alleyways by removing the former dark pavement and replacing it with albedo concrete. They have a positive impact on temperature both within the building and outside as well as improving air quality. 2006 also made a comparison of temperatures of the subsurface the conventional rooftop level and the green roof surface. One way to increase the albedo of a roof is to plant vegetation.

On the contrary green roofs recorded an equivalent albedo of 0 7 0 85 gaffin et al 2006.