Recommended Free Tools
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallFree scan · under a minute
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
Free scan · Windows 10 & 11
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
Free scan · exact hardware match
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
Cool roof tiles can reduce roof-surface temperatures and cooling demand, but the word “cool” and a light color do not prove performance. The useful evidence is a tile’s measured solar reflectance (how much sunlight it sends away) and thermal emittance (how efficiently it releases absorbed heat). Climate, insulation, roof design, installation quality and local rules determine whether those properties produce worthwhile savings in a particular house.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsClay and concrete tiles are recognized steep-roof options for cool-roof construction. To choose intelligently, verify the exact product’s initial and aged radiative values, confirm that the tile and installation system suit your roof, and check the requirements of your jurisdiction or incentive administrator before ordering.
What makes a roof tile “cool”?
A cool roof uses a surface that reflects more incoming sunlight and emits absorbed heat efficiently. That combination can keep the exterior roof surface cooler and reduce the heat transferred into the building. ENERGY STAR’s consumer guidance describes the desired combination as high solar reflectance and high thermal emittance.
#1 Best Overall
- COMPLETE 5-PIECE BRUSH SET FOR EVERY PAINTING TASK — Includes 1 Inch Flat, 1.5 Inch Angle, 2 Inch Flat, 2 Inch Angle Stubby, and 2.5 Inch Angle brush giving you every size professional painters use daily. Get all 5 for less than the price of a single brush from hardware store brands — professional grade performance at a fraction of the cost. Perfect for walls, trim, cabinets, doors, furniture, and detailed cutting-in work on any project.
- ZERO BRISTLE LOSS — GUARANTEED BY PRECISION ADHESIVE BONDING — Every bristle is locked in place with precision-set adhesive that keeps them in the brush — not in your paint job. The coated steel ferrule provides structural support while the adhesive bond ensures clean performance on every stroke. Premium SRT synthetic filaments load more paint and release it evenly for a smooth streak-free finish on walls, ceilings, and trim. Works with latex, oil-based paint, primer, sealer, and wood stain.
- INCLUDES THE ANGLE STUBBY MOST SETS LEAVE OUT — Professional painters know the 2 Inch Angle Stubby is the go-to brush for tight cabinet interiors, window sashes, inside corners, and detailed trim where standard angle brushes are too long. Combined with the 1.5 and 2.5 inch angle sash brushes you have precision cutting-in covered at every scale — baseboards, crown molding, door casings, and ceiling lines.
- FLAT BRUSHES FOR BROAD SMOOTH COVERAGE ON ANY SURFACE — The 1 and 2 inch flat brushes deliver even coverage on walls, furniture, shelving, doors, fences, decks, and wood surfaces. Ideal for applying primers, stains, varnishes, polyurethane, and specialty coatings. Solid wood handles provide all-day comfort and control for both professional contractors and weekend DIY homeowners tackling interior or exterior painting projects.
- TRUSTED BY PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS AND CONTRACTORS NATIONWIDE — Pro Grade delivers professional-grade results at a price that makes sense for crews who go through brushes on every job. Ideal for property managers, remodeling contractors, apartment turnover crews, maintenance teams, and commercial painting operations. Backed by thousands of verified reviews from working painters. Washable and reusable for multiple projects.
Solar reflectance
Solar reflectance (SR) is the fraction of solar energy reflected by the surface. A higher value means less sunlight is absorbed. Tile color often affects SR: lighter colors generally reflect more sunlight, while dark colors generally absorb more. Color is only a clue, however. Modern roof materials can achieve useful reflectance in colors that are not white, so the measured value for the exact product matters more than the color name on a brochure.
Thermal emittance
Thermal emittance (TE) describes how well the tile releases heat it has already absorbed through thermal radiation. Two tiles with similar reflectance can perform differently if one sheds absorbed heat more effectively. Look for both SR and TE rather than selecting on reflectance or appearance alone.
Solar Reflectance Index
The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) explains that SR and TE can be used to calculate Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) under ASTM E1980. SRI is a calculated comparison value, not a directly measured surface property. Ask for the underlying SR and TE values as well as SRI so you can see what the index represents. The CRRC’s definitions and rating details are available through its Roof Rating Program.
Will cool roof tiles keep your house cooler?
They can reduce heat entering a building, especially when the existing roof absorbs substantial sunlight and the home operates air-conditioning during hot weather. The effect is not an automatic indoor-temperature reduction: attic insulation, ventilation, ceiling construction, air leakage, window loads, thermostat settings and weather all influence the result.
Rank #2
- Great Value Pack Artist Paint Brushes: Soucolor 20 brushes in 10 sizes professional paintbrushes set — no shedding, holds paint well, cleans easily, Acrylic, watercolor, oil, gouache, Halloween pumpkin decoration & face painting, rock painting, ceramics. Fantastic high quality gifts for creative, artistic siblings to share!
- Awesome Set of Paint brushes: Professional paint brushes can cover all of your needs. The multi-purposed brushes are ideal for Watercolor, Oil, Gouache, enamel, Acrylic Painting, Body, Nail, Face Painting, Miniature, Model, Wood, Glass, Cup, Ceramic, Fine work, Art class, Craft Art Painting, DIY Art Crafts etc.
- Soft and long-lasting: The bristles are soft and strong, with nickel metal ferrules and blue wooden handles. After cleaning, the bristles will become soft and fluffy again and will not fall off.
- Easy to clean: it’s very convenient to Wash well in soap and water. Retain shape after drying. the brushes hold up very well. Nice selection to beginners and professionals. Keep them clean and they last a long time.
- Halloween Pumpkin Ceramic Crafts Supplies: A Great painting gift for family, friends, kids, girls, women, student, classmate, teacher. For using in school, travel or used in the home and office.
For a sense of the surface-temperature difference, ENERGY STAR reports a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Heat Island Group comparison in which a clean white roof reflecting 80% of sunlight stayed about 50°F cooler on a typical summer afternoon than a gray roof reflecting 20%. That is a roof-surface comparison, not a promise of a 50°F cooler room or a specific utility-bill reduction. Surface condition and the roof assemblies in the comparison also matter.
Potential benefits identified in ENERGY STAR guidance include cooler interiors, lower air-conditioning costs, lower peak electricity demand and slower degradation of roof materials. Each is a possible outcome, not a guaranteed result for every home.
Which tile materials can be used?
The U.S. Department of Energy’s 2021 Consumer Guide to Cool Roofs names cool clay tile and concrete tile among steep-roof choices. Other roofing materials can also be engineered for reflectance and emittance, but a tile decision must start with the roof system rather than with a surface number.
Clay tile
Clay tile can be considered when the roof structure, pitch, tile profile and installation method are suitable. The product’s radiative values still need to be checked; “clay” alone does not establish that a particular tile is cool.
Rank #3
- 【All sizes of art brushes】: The 10 sizes of multi-functional brushes have various shapes, making the mixing color easier, which is very suitable for artists, students, teenagers, children and painters at all levels. Wonderful Present ideas for friends and family who like painting!
- 【general brush set】: Professional paint brush can meet all your needs. Multifunctional brush is very suitable for watercolor, oil, gouache, acrylic painting, body, nail, face painting, miniature, model, ceramics, arts and crafts painting, etc.
- 【high quality process】: It is designed with anti falling bristles, anti-rust nickel ferrule and solid wood handle. You can use the brush to focus on the painting and always be creative.
- 【easy to maintain】: After using the brush, it is very convenient to clean the brush with warm soapy water and reshape the tip of the brush. Air dry the brush and place it on top of the top for long use.
- 【100% satisfaction guarantee - buy now】1 packs of set brushes, you can also get friendly customer service, any questions feel free to contact us, within 24 hours to help you! There is no risk in buying our paint brush kit.
Concrete tile
Concrete tile is another steep-slope option listed by DOE. Finishes, pigments and weathering can change its measured performance, so request the values for the proposed finish and the aged values when available.
System compatibility comes first
A high-reflectance tile is not a substitute for a compatible roof assembly. Confirm the required pitch, fastening or attachment approach, flashing details and other installation requirements with a qualified roofer and the manufacturer’s current instructions. A tile that cannot be installed correctly on your roof is not a practical cool-roof choice.
How to verify a tile’s performance
Use the CRRC directory as evidence, not as approval
The CRRC publishes product radiative-property values in its Rated Roof Products Directory. Its rating program reports solar reflectance and thermal emittance and is operated by an independent nonprofit rather than a government agency, manufacturer, seller or product endorser.
Directory placement has a specific limitation: CRRC states that a product’s placement does not mean the product is “cool” under any particular code, standard or program. The CRRC also says it does not set a definition for “cool.” Codes and incentive programs set their own thresholds. Give your contractor the exact manufacturer, product name, profile and finish, then verify that listing rather than relying on a generic product family.
Rank #4
- Bates paint brushes come in a convenient 6 pieces with 3 flat and 3 angled bristle styles, including (1”, 1.5”, 2”) flat and (1.5”, 2”, 2.5”) angled bristles, perfect for tackling any surface painting or staining job.
- The sturdy natural bristles of each brush are designed to hold more paint, creating a smoother finish with fewer streaks and saving you time on the job.
- The lightweight wooden handles provide extra comfort and ease during long painting processes like walls, trims, cabinets, and doors.
- These versatile brushes are ready-to-use, easy to clean, and can be reused multiple times, making them economical as well as reliable tools for any painting project.
- Bates paint brushes can be used for both oil-based paints as well as latex stains and are ideal for home or commercial projects such as decks, fences or DIY painting jobs.
Understand initial and aged values
Radiative properties can decline as a roof weathers. DOE and CRRC guidance recommend considering long-term values when estimating savings. A product with an impressive initial value may have a different aged value after exposure to dust, weather and normal surface changes.
Under the CRRC rating process, products receive initial radiative-property testing and outdoor weathering for three years at test farms representing hot/dry Arizona, cold/temperate Ohio and hot/humid Florida, followed by aged testing. The optional Rapid Ratings route provides interim laboratory-aged values; it does not replace the standard three-year weathering process. Ask which type of value appears on the product record and use the value that matches the compliance rule or calculation you are applying.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWhat savings are realistic?
Savings depend on climate, roof area, insulation, air-conditioning efficiency, occupancy, electricity prices and the condition of the existing roof. Published figures are useful for scale but cannot substitute for a building-specific estimate.
| Published figure | What it describes | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| 5–20% reduction in home cooling costs | Range in DOE’s 2021 Consumer Guide to Cool Roofs for installing a cool-color roof on a home | DOE says savings vary and are greatest in hot and warm climates; this is a source-reported range, not a guarantee for an individual house. |
| Up to 15% less annual air-conditioning energy | Older DOE Guide to Cool Roofs estimate for substituting a cool roof on a single-story building in a warm or hot climate | The circa-2011 estimate is specifically conditioned on building type and climate and should not be generalized to every roof. |
| About 50°F cooler roof surface | ENERGY STAR’s report of a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory comparison between a clean white roof reflecting 80% of sunlight and a gray roof reflecting 20% on a typical summer afternoon | This compares exterior surface temperatures, not indoor temperature or annual energy use. |
A reflective roof can also reduce solar heat gain in winter. In a cold climate, that lost heat may increase heating demand enough to offset part of the summer benefit. The balance depends on local weather, heating and cooling systems, insulation and the roof’s orientation. Do not assume that a high-reflectance tile is automatically the best annual-energy choice in every climate.
Best Value
- 2 Inch Angled Paint Brush for Precision Cutting-In – Designed for clean, sharp lines around trim, baseboards, ceilings, corners, and detailed edge work. The perfect size for control and coverage.
- Value 3-Pack for Pros & DIY Projects – Includes three professional 2-inch angled sash brushes — ideal for contractors, remodelers, and homeowners tackling multiple rooms or repeat paint jobs.
- Smooth Results on Walls, Trim & Cabinets – Great for interior wall painting, cabinet edges, furniture projects, and trim work where a smooth finish and crisp control matter most.
- Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
- Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
A practical buying process
- Document the existing roof. Record tile type, age, condition, leaks, pitch, roof area and any planned structural or flashing work. A roofer should determine whether the assembly can accept the proposed tile.
- Define the climate objective. Identify whether your main concern is summer cooling, winter heating, peak demand or compliance with a local requirement. Hot and warm climates generally offer more cooling opportunity; colder locations require a closer look at the heating trade-off.
- Shortlist compatible tile systems. Ask for clay or concrete profiles that are approved for your roof pitch and installation method. Keep the complete roof system—not just the visible tile—in the comparison.
- Request measured properties. Obtain initial SR, initial TE and SRI, plus aged values when the rating record provides them. Ask whether the values come from the standard weathering route or the optional Rapid Ratings process.
- Check the exact listing. Search the CRRC directory using the exact product and finish. Do not assume that another color, profile or coating from the same manufacturer has identical values.
- Confirm local requirements before signing. Give the product record to your building department, designer or contractor and identify the applicable code threshold. Requirements can differ by jurisdiction and by roof type.
- Price the complete project. Compare tile, accessories, labor, disposal, structural work, permits and expected maintenance. Isolate the incremental cost attributable to the more reflective option so the energy case is not confused with the cost of replacing the entire roof.
- Ask for a maintenance and replacement plan. Confirm how the finish should be inspected and what changes in appearance or performance are expected as the roof ages. Keep the product record, installation instructions and warranty documents.
When replacement makes financial sense
Reflectance is easiest to evaluate when a roof is already due for replacement. The DOE’s consumer guidance cautions that replacing a mechanically sound roof solely to raise reflectance is rarely economical. If the existing roof has useful service life remaining, compare the cost and expected savings of waiting for normal replacement with the cost of an early tear-off.
A planned replacement also lets you address insulation, air sealing and roof-system defects at the same time. Those measures can materially affect how much of the tile’s reduced solar absorption reaches the living space. A cool tile should not be used to hide leaks, inadequate drainage or installation defects.
Codes, labels and incentives
Do not describe a current tile as ENERGY STAR certified based on the old roof-products program. The ENERGY STAR Roof Products Specification sunset on June 1, 2022.
CRRC ratings may help where a local code or incentive program references them, but the rating itself is not a universal approval. California Title 24 and Los Angeles requirements are examples discussed by CRRC; they do not apply automatically in other jurisdictions. Ask the local authority which edition of the code and which radiative-property thresholds govern your project.
Some areas offer rebates, loans or other incentives for reflective roofs. Eligibility, application deadlines and qualifying values change, so check your utility, local government or current incentive administrator before treating an incentive as part of the budget. Obtain written confirmation for the exact tile and installation rather than relying on a general “cool roof” description.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing by color alone: A pale tile may have useful reflectance, but appearance does not provide measured SR or TE.
- Looking only at SRI: SRI is calculated; review the underlying reflectance and emittance values and the test condition.
- Assuming a directory entry is code approval: CRRC lists measured properties, while authorities and programs decide what qualifies.
- Using initial values as lifetime performance: Weathering can change reflectance and emittance, so aged values are important for long-term estimates.
- Ignoring heating demand: Reflecting winter sunlight can increase heating energy use in colder locations.
- Comparing tile prices without roof-system costs: Pitch, structural requirements, accessories, labor and permits can dominate the project total.
- Replacing a sound roof for reflectance alone: DOE says that strategy is rarely economical; evaluate the remaining service life first.
- Expecting a guaranteed bill reduction: Climate and building characteristics determine whether the measured surface properties translate into meaningful savings.
Bottom line for homeowners
Cool roof tiles are a performance category, not a color or marketing phrase. Select a tile system that fits the roof, compare measured initial and aged solar reflectance and thermal emittance, verify the exact product in the CRRC directory, and confirm local code or incentive rules. The strongest financial case is usually a compatible cool tile chosen during a planned roof replacement in a hot or warm climate; a site-specific assessment is needed before making a promise about annual energy savings.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteQuick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
