Solar Reflective (Cool) Coatings

A concise introduction to minimising heat gains inside buildings.

CSIRO Building Technology Resources provide trusted information on, and solutions to, a range of common building related issues which are relevant to homeowners, building and property development professionals, industry associations, councils and safety authorities. Radiant energy from the sun heats a building's exterior, creating heat gains that can be transferred into the building's interior, thus increasing the internal temperature. In Australia, good building design combines various approaches – such as building orientation, shading and insulation – to mitigate unwanted heat gains. This Building Technology Resource explains whether solar reflective coatings, also known as cool coatings, can be used to reduce indoor temperatures and thus minimise electricity consumption. + Full description