Highly reflective roofing materials

Abstract

A roofing or siding system having an improved average resulting reflectivity. The roofing and / or siding system is at least partially coated with a plurality of granules. At least one layer of paint is applied to the roofing and / or siding system to increase the resulting reflectivity of the roofing and / or siding system.

Description

[0001] The present invention is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 951,973 filed Sep. 29, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference. [0002] The present invention relates to a roofing and / or siding materials, and more particularly to improved roofing and / or siding materials having increased reflectivity. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE [0003] U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,379,358; 3,255,031; 3,479,201; 3,528,842; 4,120.132; 4,288,959; 4,478,869; 5,088,259; 5,474,838; 5,540,971; 5,573,810; 5,695,373; 5,813,176; 5,965,626; 6,110,846; 6,194,519; 6,207,593; 6,296,912; 6,296,921; 6,341,462; and 6,360,511; and United States Patent Publication No. 20040071938 published on Apr. 15, 2004 are incorporated herein by reference to illustrate various types of roofing and / or siding systems on which the granular material of the present invention can be used, to also illustrate various manufacturing techniques for making such roofing and / or siding systems, and / or to further illustrate various types of ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] Roofing systems having a bitumen- or asphalt-based water-resistant layer are well-known. Due to their chemical composition, these water-resistant layers are highly absorptive of radiation. In fact, these roofing layers may be regarded in an uncoated state as black-body absorbers; that is, they effectively absorb almost all of the radiation that impinges upon them. Such asphalt surfaces absorb radiation, thereby resulting in increased temperature which can result in thermal degradation of the roofing system and / or increase the cooling costs of the roofed structure. In warmer regions or more temperate regions, the bitumen- or asphalt-based layer can be heated to temperatures that significantly soften the bitumen- or asphalt-based water-resistant layer, thereby exposing the softened layer to damage by foot traffic, as well as damage to an individual's shoes. As a result of these undesirable consequences of bitumen- or asphalt-based roofing coatings, a layer of solid material such as, but not limited to, granules is typically applied to the surface of the bitumen- or asphalt-based layer. The solid material has been found to increase the life of the bitumen- or asphalt-based layer, and in some cases, reduce the temperature of the roof surface when exposed to the sunlight. The solid material is also used to alter the appearance of the roof surface, provide weather protection to the roof surface, improve the fire rating of the roofing surface, reduce photo degradation of the roofing surface, improve impact resistance of the roofing surface (e.g. hail damage, foot traffic), improve slip resistance of the roofing surface, and / or provide an anti-blocking effect when the roofing material is rolled after manufacture. As a result, it is now common to embed a layer of roofing granules and / or another type of solid material in an exposed surface of such a roofing system, whether that system be discrete membrane panels such as shingles, rolled membrane products (e.g. modified bitumen, cap sheet roll roofing), or formed in place membranes, such as are formed by mopping liquid bitumen- or asphalt based roofing material atop a roofing base.

[0030] Still another and / or alternative object of the present invention is the provision of a roofing and / or siding system that reduces energy costs associated with the cooling of a structure.

Problems solved by technology

Such asphalt surfaces absorb radiation, thereby resulting in increased temperature which can result in thermal degradation of the roofing system and / or increase the cooling costs of the roofed structure.

As a result of these undesirable consequences of bitumen- or asphalt-based roofing coatings, a layer of solid material such as, but not limited to, granules is typically applied to the surface of the bitumen- or asphalt-based layer.

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