If you're weighing a new roof here in Burlington or anywhere across the Piedmont Triad, a cool metal roof is worth a serious look. Modern metal roofing pairs lasting beauty and durability with technology that reflects heat off your home — and with proper maintenance, it can protect your house for decades. Below are the cool metal roofing questions we hear most often, answered plainly.
What are cool metal roofs?
Cool metal roofs are made with specially formulated pigments designed to reflect the sun's heat. Specifically, these pigments target near-infrared radiation (NIR) — a part of sunlight that's invisible to the eye but carries a lot of heat. Ordinary dark pigments tend to absorb that radiation and trap the heat, while cool pigments reflect it. The practical upside: you can choose from a wide range of colors, including darker shades, and still get a finish that bounces heat away and helps reduce your cooling expenses.
Does color still play a role?
Yes. Cool pigmentation improves solar reflectivity across many colors, but brighter, lighter colors still reflect heat more efficiently than darker ones. Cool technology narrows the gap so a darker roof performs far better than it otherwise would — it just doesn't erase the difference entirely.
Are cool colors more expensive?
No. On most painted metal roofing products, the cool pigment technology is included as standard. You generally aren't paying a premium to get the heat-reflective benefit.
Do cool colors change the look or shininess of the roof?
No. Cool pigments reflect only the invisible infrared light while still absorbing visible light. That means they don't alter the color you see or the finish — so you keep a broad range of color options as well as gloss levels, from matte to more reflective sheens.
How do I know if the color I want includes cool technology?
Talk it through with your roofer and the manufacturer before you make a final selection. Manufacturers typically note which colors include cool pigment technology right on their color cards, so it's easy to confirm before you commit. When you work with Redeem Roofing & Construction, we'll walk you through the options and point out which colors qualify.
How do cool metal roofs compare to other cool roofing materials?
Painted metal holds up especially well. It resists deterioration, delivers strong solar reflectivity, and keeps its appearance over time. Some other roofing materials can collect dirt or fade as the years pass, which chips away at their reflectivity. By contrast, a painted finish on metal roofing stays uniform and stable — so the roof keeps both its looks and its cool performance.
What else can I do to make my roof more energy efficient?
A cool roof works best as part of a well-ventilated, well-sealed home. A few measures that complement it:
- Make sure your attic is properly ventilated, using gable and ridge vents to let hot air escape.
- Install adequate attic insulation to keep conditioned air where it belongs.
- Seal the penetrations around fixtures and openings to stop air leaks.
- Consider a house fan to clear trapped hot air out of the attic.
"Redeem did an excellent job replacing my roof. It was fast, they did a quality job, and an excellent job cleaning up." — Marc M., Google review
Thinking about a cool metal roof for your home in Burlington, Greensboro, Winston-Salem or anywhere in the Triad? We'd be glad to answer your questions, show you the color options that include cool pigment technology, and help you weigh metal against other roofing systems. Get a free, no-obligation estimate or call us at (336) 350-1450 — and if you'd like to compare materials first, our metal roofing page breaks down the options.