Dow Construction Chemicals

Cool Reflective Roof Coating:

technology in practice

Case study
– Roof renovation project, Torrent del’Olla,
Barcelona
– Result of a formal cooperation between
Barcelona City Council and
The Dow Chemical Company to support
research into sustainable solutions
in line with Smart City goals
– Roof coating formulated with
PRIMAL™ EC 1791 binder from Dow

Version January 2015

Dow Construction Chemicals

A demonstration case for a city with ‘smart’ ambitions

PRIMAL™ EC 1791 from Dow Construction Chemicals
was used in a Cool Roof Reflective Coating on a demonstration
renovation project in Barcelona:
a city which is embracing the Smart City concept.

Barcelona City Council is actively engaged in a program In late 2014, Dow teamed up with Barcelona City Council
known as “BCN Smart City”, and is working to improve to create a demonstration project for a building renovation
the quality of its citizens’ lives by guaranteeing sustainable on the Torrent del’Olla, with Abolin SA manufacturing the
social, economic and urban development. City planners elastomeric roof coating using PRIMAL™ EC 1791 from
are using the platform to bring together public and private Dow Construction Chemicals, and specialist applicator
organizations to help push forward innovations that can Go&Go engaged to apply it.
improve the economic fortunes, environmental sustainability
[A] [B]
and comfort of Barcelona’s inhabitants for the future.

In May 2014, The Dow Chemical Company and Barcelona City

Council signed an agreement whereby both parties would
jointly explore potential for solutions which could advance
such Smart City goals and monitor their performance,
particularly in relation to energy efficiency and sustainability.
Many of the sustainable solutions on offer from Dow are
highly relevant to Smart City ambitions: one example is
increasing interest in the benefits of Cool Reflective Roof
Coating (CRRC) technology, particularly in densely populated
Outdoor temperature: 19°C
urban areas. [A] Bitumen temperature: 25.8 °C, [B] Cool Roof temperature: 13.8 °C

2 – Cool Reflective Roof Coating: technology in practice

Cool Reflective Roof Coatings: an overview
Roof surfaces are coated with materials with high solar reflectance to emit solar radiation, as well as high infra-red
emissivity to release absorbed heat. Dow Construction Chemicals – a member of the European Cool Roof Council and the
Cool Roof Rating Council – has years of experience in developing technology for elastomeric cool roof coatings, expertise
which is now being used to produce tailored binders supporting development of effective CRRCs around the world.

Benefits of CRRC technology Key requirements

– decreases the heat penetrating the building, reducing for effective CRRC functionality
ambient air temperatures: less energy required for air- – flexibility: in order to expand and contract along with
conditioning the waterproofing layer
– helps protect a roof from degradation through – durability: the ability to withstand mechanical and
weathering: reduces maintenance requirements and exposure stresses experienced on rooftops
extends roof lifetime – temperature resistance: to withstand high roof surface
– helps to combat the urban heat island effect, which temperatures
results in temperature peaks in urban areas – dirt resistance: essential for maintaining core
– simple to apply on a variety of substrates, including functionality of solar reflectivity, key to achieving energy
sloping roofs savings
– offers ability to achieve Leadership in Energy and – excellent adhesion in wet and dry conditions
Environmental Design (LEED) credits and supports – water resistance for long term durability
Smart City ambitions

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Dow Construction Chemicals

Supporting future developments in urban sustainability

The Torrent del’Olla building – originally built in 1969 – Abolin SA, a specialised manufacturer of Cool Roof Coatings,
houses a supermarket on its ground floor, and offices on the prides itself on developing ‘environmentally smart solutions’
floors above, overall, around 300 people work within the for such urban environments, and has a proven history not
building. One of its floors is home to a Barcelona City Council just in cool roofs, but cool pavement technology, particularly
project team supporting this exciting demonstration project – in Greece where daytime temperatures can be very high. Like
after all, what better way of putting a system to the test than Dow, the company is also a member of the European Cool
applying it to your own building, and then working within it! Roof Council.

The building has a roof surface of 710 m2, and is covered with After first washing down the existing roof surface with water,
a bituminous membrane installed over a decade ago. Whilst Abolin’s Cool Barrier Roof system – formulated with water-
the roof was in reasonably good condition, cracks were borne binder PRIMAL™ EC 1791 from Dow Construction
beginning to show, making it an ideal opportunity to add Chemicals – was applied to the roof by a three-strong team of
a maintenance coating and at the same time test the CRRC applicators from Go&Go in approximately 10 hours in total,
concept on a renovation project. using rollers.

As with many other buildings in urban environments, there PRIMAL™ EC 1791 delivers excellent durability and dirt
were multiple existing structures such as air conditioning pick-up resistance, helping to reduce the darkening of
units and photovoltaics on the roof, meaning a liquid- light-colored roof coatings over time for long term energy
applied coating was ideal – and with a key aim to test CRRC efficiency. It also offers resistance to cracks, UV-light and
application on existing, sometimes complex structures, it was ponded water, as well as to potential blistering of the final
an ideal project for a team of people interested in measuring coating. In addition, the reduced surface temperature and
improvements in energy efficiency after a renovation. minimized water penetration will protect the underlying roof
Large expanses of bituminous, black roofs – combined with substrate and help extend its life.
the density of man-made structures – can lead to temperature
peaks in urban areas, a phenomenon known as the ‘urban Initial findings immediately after installation of the CRRC
heat island effect’. The US Environmental Protection Agency demonstrated that surface temperatures on the roof at
has cited this effect as causing cities with more than a million midday had dropped from 24°C to just 14°C. The average daily
people or more to be up to 3°C warmer than surrounding temperature within the building was 24°C: monitoring has
areas during daytime and as much as 12°C in evenings. Heat begun to see whether the use of air conditioning to maintain
islands can increase summertime peak energy demand, that temperature can be reduced, particularly during summer
air conditioning costs, air pollution and greenhouse gas months, and whether this can in turn lead to reduced energy
emissions, as well as have an impact on heat-related illness. use and costs.

The results will feed into the BCN Smart City program, in
Roof build-up: quick facts order to review the potential for further applications of
Building constructed: Cool Reflective Roof Coatings on both new and refurbished
1969 buildings in Barcelona as it continues in its ambitions to
Bituminous roof installed: meet Smart City goals. Findings will also be shared with other
ca. 2002 Smart City programs and research centers worldwide as part
Roof structure: of Dow’s agreement with Barcelona City Council to help
Ceramic tiles over mortar, overlaying continuous bituminous promote the city’s international position as a leader in Smart
layer, Air chamber and false ceiling in roof space above offices City development.

Coatings formulated with PRIMAL™ EC 1791 and in line

with guidance from Dow Construction Chemicals can reach
relevant ASTM standards for liquid applied acrylic coatings
used in roofing applications.

4 – Cool Reflective Roof Coating: technology in practice

 Elastomeric Cool Roof
Reflective Coatings
A sustainable technology
that improves the energy
efficiency of buildings

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Dow Construction Chemicals

The challenge of Roof Surfacing

» Dark colored roof surfaces convert direct sunlight into heat

» Heat transfers to the inside of buildings
» Buildings become hot and uncomfortable
» More energy is consumed by air-conditioning

Traditional dark colored bituminous and concrete roof Elastomeric cool reflective roof coatings (CRRCs) help create
surfaces soak up heat and transfer it into the upper floors of a energy-saving roofs that reflect the sun’s heat and prevent it
building, putting additional strain on air conditioning or from being absorbed into the building, reducing air
cooling units and increasing energy costs. Unlike bituminous conditioning or cooling costs by as much as 20 percent.
and concrete roofs, cool roofs – enabled by Dow’s elastomeric Because of their light color and reflective capabilities, cool
acrylic technology – can significantly improve operating costs, roofs reduce the heat build-up common with bituminous
reduce utility bills, benefit the surrounding environment and roofing systems and ultimately extend the lifespan of the roof
lengthen the lifespan of roofs. itself thanks to resistance to wide temperature fluctuations
which can cause mechanical stresses.

Mechanical strains
and movement
Sunlight and
UV radiation

Roofs are exposed to

Occasional water
ingress

6 – Cool Reflective Roof Coating: technology in practice

The solution – Cool Reflective Roof Coatings

Reflectance

Emissivity

Ideal Cool Roof

Reflectance = 100%
Emissivity = 100%

Features

– With high solar reflectance to reflect solar radiation

– With high thermal emissivity to release
absorbed heat
– Decreasing the heat penetrating into the building
– Reducing ambient air temperatures and increasing
thermal comfort
– Significantly lowering energy consumption /
cooling loads from air-conditioning
– And above all, increasing the lifetime of roofs

Cool Reflective Roof Coatings offer an ideal opportunity for improving energy efficiency

‘Green’ buildings are becoming high value properties as Dow Construction Chemicals has years of experience in
owners and occupiers begin to appreciate the greater developing binders for elastomeric roof coatings to efficiently
potential for energy saving and reduced running costs. address different climatic conditions.

Growing interest in the role that ‘cool roofs’ can play in Elastomeric Cool Reflective Roof Coatings offer specific,
improving the energy efficiency of buildings is increasing the additional functionalities way beyond standard masonry
demand for advanced coating technology – and consequently paint, for example, such as high solar reflectance and
for effective binders which play a critical role in maintaining high infrared emissivity – as well as ability to resist wide
integrity and quality of the overall system. temperature fluctuations and moisture absorption.

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Cool Reflective Coatings offer more than a standard masonry paint: they are functional coatings

Elastomeric Roof Coating Masonry paint Thickness of roof coating compared to thickness of standard
masonry paint

Solvents

Water

Additives
Roof coating Standard masonry paint
Binder
Applied with a higher Applied with a lower
Pigments film thickness film thickness

Acrylic/Elastomeric Roof Coatings (including CRRC) Masonry paints

– Resist broad temperature ranges and – Resist moisture absorption – Resist heat and UV exposure
UV exposure – Resistant to mildew – Resist wetting and drying
– Retain flexibility and elasticity* – Offer excellent adhesion* – Resist moisture absorption
– Expand and contract alongside – Deliver good color retention – Resist mildew
waterproofing membrane movement* – Withstand pedestrian traffic to – Good adhesion properties
– Impervious to ponding water* enable occasional maintenance and – Good color retention
inspection*
* key properties

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