Common roofing surfaces are made “cool” by applying coatings which are either white or contain special reflective pigments that reflect sunlight. Cool roofs protect the roof surface from ultra-violet (UV) rays and chemical damage that can cause premature aging and drying. Additionally, cool roofs absorb less heat and keep the entire building cooler and at a more consistent temperature, thereby reducing energy usage.
A standard or dark roof can reach temperatures of up to 150 degrees, but a cool roof, under the same conditions, could be more than 50 degrees cooler. Cool roofs help keep extra heat out of a building during the summer without losing heat during the winter. This means lower energy costs, and they’re also better for the environment.
Below are some examples of common roofing types and how to make them cool.
Built-up Roofs: These are the old standard tar-and-gravel combinations that are typically black or dark gray. To make them cool, replace the surface layer with a UV-resistant white mineral fiberglass surface or coating.
Roof Coatings: Roof coatings are constructed by mixing two liquid chemicals together that react and expand to form one solid piece that adheres to the roof. A reflective, protective coating can be added to offer cool-roof performance.
Metal Roofs: Metal roofs can be made cool simply by painting the surface with a reflective coating.
Modified Bitumen: Modified bitumen contains one or more layers of a plastic or rubber material with reinforcing materials, topped with a surfacing material. Add a cool-roof coating for high solar reflectance.
Shingles, Slate or Tile: For cool asphalt shingles, you’ll need specially coated granules that provide better solar reflectance. Slate and tile are available with solar-reflective surfaces in a variety of colors.
Single-ply: This prefabricated sheet is rolled onto the roof in a single layer and attached with mechanical fasteners or chemical adhesives, or held in place with gravel, stones or pavers. It can be ordered with ultra-violet-resistant and highly reflective surfaces.
Bade Roofing Company. Founded in 1954, Bade Roofing Company, Inc. is one of St. Louis, Missouri's premier family-owned and operated commercial and industrial roofing specialists. Bade Roofing installs roofing systems on major retail centers, grocery stores, hospitals, schools, warehouses and office buildings. www.baderoofing.com
You take care of your family, your home, and the neighborhood you’re proud to live in. A solid roof is part of that, even if it’s not something you want to think about every day. Most homeowners are focused on staying ahead of problems, making smart decisions, and protecting what they’ve worked hard to build. When something feels off, a stain on the ceiling, a shingle out of place, a leak that shows up at the worst time, you just want straight answers and a clear plan.
For more than 70 years, Bade Roofing has been trusted across the St. Louis region and surrounding Illinois communities to handle complex commercial projects, hospitals, and local landmarks where performance, safety, and accountability matter. Those buildings have zero room for shortcuts. The roof has to work. The documentation has to be right. The crews have to show up ready.
That same level of expertise, planning, and attention to detail is now fully available for homeowners throughout the region. Bade Roofing is also still what it has always been at its core, a family company. Three generations have carried the work forward, and today the company is led by Matt Bade, the owner and CEO. That matters because the name on the trucks is the same name behind the work, and the reputation is personal. You can feel it in how the team communicates, how clean the job site stays, and how problems get handled when weather turns or surprises show up.
Our residential team brings experienced crews, clear communication, and a practical approach to every home we work on. We take the time to explain what we’re seeing, what needs attention, and what can wait. No pressure. No shortcuts. Just honest guidance from people who live and work in the same communities you do. When you’re ready to take care of your roof, Bade Roofing is here to help you do it right.
When you’re ready to take care of your roof, Bade Roofing is here to help you do it right.
