Dark rooftop surfaces absorb intense summer sunlight. This sends more heat into the building and increases the workload on your cooling system. We provide property-specific assessments and professionally installed high-reflectance systems to help control heat gain and protect the existing assembly.
Licensed & Insured | Free Estimates | Serving All 5 Boroughs
Get a Free Cool Roof Coating EstimatePlaceholder — high-reflectance cool roof coating on a NYC building
A dark asphalt roof surface in New York City can reach temperatures as high as 190°F during summer conditions. That absorbed solar energy can transfer into the building below, increasing air-conditioning demand and placing additional thermal stress on the existing membrane.
A high-reflectance finish takes a different approach. Instead of allowing the surface to absorb most incoming sunlight, specially formulated materials reflect a significant portion of that energy away from the building. This thermal stress is exceptionally high in densely built-up areas like Midtown Manhattan, Long Island City, and Downtown Brooklyn.
The term describes thermal performance, not simply appearance. A white or light-colored surface may look appropriate, but color alone does not establish whether a product performs as a high-efficiency solar barrier.
Two measurements are particularly important.
Appearance can be misleading. A light-colored product does not automatically deliver the thermal performance required for a particular project.
Manufacturers test formulations for solar reflectance and thermal emittance, while organizations such as the Cool Roof Rating Council provide independently reported product data. For building owners, that means product specifications are more useful than color alone.
Not sure whether your project falls under these requirements? Get a free assessment.
NYC building regulations establish performance requirements for certain new and renovated assemblies. For many low-slope applications, the applicable provisions generally call for an initial solar reflectance of 0.70 and thermal emittance of 0.75, or an equivalent SRI pathway. Steep-slope applications can have different thresholds.
An existing property is not automatically required to receive a new high-reflectance treatment simply because it has a flat surface. The scope of the work determines what provisions apply.
Specifically, these mandates are governed by Chapter 15 of the NYC Building Code and the NYC Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC). Under Local Law 21 of 2011, these standards were heavily updated to target low-slope structures. Compliance documentation is generally required as part of your construction drawings.
NYC °CoolRoofs is a unique city initiative that provides free reflective coating installations on eligible rooftops through paid workforce training crews, completely separate from standard local code requirements. To qualify for this free service, your building's roof generally needs to be flat, in good structural condition with minimal cracking, and easily accessible without the use of a ladder or window access.
For roofs that do not meet these strict criteria, the city program cannot help. That is where our professional cool roof coating services come in. We offer tailored, high-quality installations to ensure your building still locks in maximum energy savings and heat protection.
High-reflectance performance is not a separate chemical category. Acrylic, silicone, and elastomeric systems can all be manufactured in formulations designed to deliver strong solar reflectance.
Acrylic systems are highly reflective but water-soluble during application. They are best reserved for roofs with positive drainage pitch where water never puddles.
Silicone formulations excel on older NYC flat roofs prone to minor sagging. This is because silicone is non-sacrificial and completely withstands ponding water without breaking down or peeling.
Elastomeric materials provide flexibility and can be formulated for high solar reflectance. Their suitability depends on the existing assembly and site conditions.
Compare Roof Coating Systems Visit Our HomepagePlaceholder — acrylic, silicone, and elastomeric cool roof systems
We begin by examining the existing membrane, visible deterioration, drainage, seams, penetrations, and areas requiring attention.
Proper preparation is critical. Depending on the existing condition, this can involve cleaning, removal of loose material, localized repairs, seam preparation, and treatment of problem areas.
We consider the existing substrate, exposure, drainage, condition, manufacturer's requirements, and desired thermal performance before recommending a product.
The selected material is installed according to product specifications and project conditions, with attention to coverage, adhesion, transitions, and vulnerable areas.
After completion, we inspect the finished installation and explain maintenance recommendations, warranty coverage, and future care.
Get a Free Cool Roof Coating EstimateHigh-reflectance surfaces can support broader energy-efficiency efforts associated with Local Law 97 by reducing solar heat gain and potentially lowering cooling demand. However, roof coating alone does not determine a building's Local Law 97 compliance or emissions obligations.
Because Local Law 97 targets buildings exceeding 25,000 square feet with strict carbon caps starting in 2024 and 2030, coating your roof reduces the carbon penalty by lowering chiller workloads. However, it should be paired with an energy audit to calculate your exact building emissions intensity (GHG per square foot) reduction.
Learn More About Local Law 97Certain new construction and substantial renovation projects are subject to NYC requirements governing solar reflectance and related thermal performance. Whether the requirement applies depends on the scope and characteristics of the project.
These terms generally describe materials designed to reflect solar energy and release absorbed heat efficiently. The key consideration is measured performance. Product data, reflectance values, and thermal properties should be reviewed rather than relying only on appearance.
Possibly, but the qualifications are strict. The free program primarily targets non-profit organizations, low-income housing providers, and select public properties. Furthermore, the building must have a flat, structurally sound roof surface that can be safely accessed without ladders or specialized scaffolding. If your property is a standard for-profit commercial building, or requires structural repairs, it will not qualify for the city's free labor program and must be coated privately.
There is no single savings figure that applies to every building. Results depend on exposed surface area, insulation, HVAC efficiency, occupancy, building orientation, climate conditions, and existing materials. We can evaluate your property and provide a more realistic assessment during inspection.
High-reflectance systems can be used with many compatible low-slope assemblies, including modified bitumen, built-up systems, EPDM, TPO, and certain metal surfaces. Compatibility depends on the substrate, existing condition, drainage, manufacturer specifications, and project requirements.
Pricing depends on surface area, accessibility, preparation requirements, existing condition, and the selected material. Acrylic, silicone, and elastomeric systems can have different installation costs. We provide a free, no-obligation estimate after evaluating the property.
Get a Free Cool Roof Coating Estimate
Planning a renovation? Trying to reduce summer heat gain? Not sure whether your project has NYC reflectance requirements?
We'll inspect the existing assembly, explain the available options, and recommend a system based on the actual condition of your property.
Get Your Free Estimate TodayCall (917) 268-3699
This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, engineering, architectural, or compliance advice. Cool roof coating performance, energy savings, and code applicability can vary based on product formulation, substrate condition, surface preparation, building characteristics, and project scope. Building owners should confirm project-specific requirements with the system manufacturer, a licensed professional, and the NYC Department of Buildings as applicable.
A roof coating is a system applied to an existing roof that has to be properly evaluated, prepared, repaired, and matched with the right coating technology.
Copyright © 2026 Roof Coating NYC. All rights reserved.
