We’re in the hot summer months and trying to keep cool. That means we typically wear white or light clothes because we know a black shirt will absorb the heat. The same is true for a commercial building: a cool covering for a roof reflects sunlight and absorbs less heat from the sun into the building.
An estimated 55% of the surface area in a typical city consists of roofs, streets, or parking areas. These areas are often non-reflective, very sunlight-absorbent surfaces that tend to capture heat from the sun and warm the surrounding area. Overall air temperature values of 7-10 degrees higher than the surrounding countryside are not uncommon.
