How to Read a Cool Roof Paint Technical Data Sheet

For somebody unfamiliar with technical documents, going through a Technical Data Sheet (TDS) for cool roof paint feels like trying to read an ancient script. For the facility managers and procurement heads, getting the gist of these papers is surrounded by a compliance issue; it makes an economic investment having a maximum yield of energy efficiency and roof life that lasts.

The present text will simplify the different components and How to Read a Cool Roof Paint Technical Data Sheet into easy-to-understand sections, revealing the meaning of numbers, pointing out the important specifications, and letting you know the marketing junk.

Understanding the Core Purpose of a TDS

A Technical Data Sheet is a document provided by the manufacturer that officially states the composition, physical properties, performance characteristics, and application instructions of the product. It is the one and only place where you can find all the necessary information to compare different cool roof coatings to one another.

Sections That Are Important:

• Product Description & Features: A brief overview of the coating type (like acrylic, silicone, or urethane) and its main use.
• Technical/Physical Properties: The critical performance numbers (the most essential section).
• Application Data: Guidance on surface prep, temperature range, and coverage rates.
• Safety & Regulatory Information: Information about VOCs and compliance standards.

What the Numbers Mean: Critical Specifications

The performance of a cool roof coating hinges on its ability to reflect solar radiation and efficiently re-emit absorbed heat. The following specs are critical and directly correlate with energy savings and roof performance. These numbers are typically certified by third-party testing organisations like the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC).

Solar Reflectance and Thermal Emittance

These are the most important numbers for a “cool roof” and are often the first you should look for.

Solar Reflectance (SR) / Albedo

• What it is: The portion of solar energy (sunlight) that is instantly reflected off the roof surface back into the atmosphere is called reflectance. It is measured on a scale of 0 to 1.0 (or as a percentage from 0% to 100%).
• What the number means: A greater number implies that more heat is reflected and less is absorbed by the building.
• Critical Value: For a cool roof, the aim should be to have this number as high as possible. The CRRC minimum for a new, low-slope (flat) roof is usually 0.65 (65%) for initial reflectance.
• Look out for: Initial vs. Aged Reflectance. Aged reflectance (tested after three years of exposure) is a more accurate predictor of long-term performance and is also a more crucial factor for long-term ROI. Seek the aged value to be at least equal to or higher than the CRRC minimum of 0.50 (50%).

Thermal Emittance (TE) / Emissivity:

• What it is: The roof surface’s capability of re-radiating or releasing infrared energy that has been absorbed. It is expressed in terms of a scale ranging from 0 to 1.0.
• What the number means: The cooler the roof surface at night or when the sun is not shining directly on it, the higher the number.
• Critical Value: It is best if you get the highest value possible. The lowest for a low-slope roof according to CRRC is 0.75.

Solar Reflective Index (SRI):

• What it is: A comprehensive measurement that joins Solar Reflectance and Thermal Emittance into one value, showing the temperature that a surface is expected to reach due to sun exposure.
• What the number means: An increased SRI value refers to a less hot roof surface in the sun.
• Critical Value: Verify your region’s building regulations (for example, Title 24 in California) or the ASHRAE 90.1 standards, as they typically determine a minimum SRI requirement.

Physical and Performance Specs

These values relate to the coating’s durability, adhesion, and waterproofing capabilities, which determine how long the coating will last before needing a costly recoat.

Identifying the Marketing Junk Specs

Some specifications on a TDS may look impressive but are secondary or tertiary to the core performance metrics or are simply less relevant for the final installed product’s lifespan.  

Wet Film Thickness (WFT) and Dry Film Thickness (DFT)

• What it is: A specification for the contractor on how thick to apply the product (WFT) to achieve the final cured thickness (DFT).
• Why it’s marketing junk: While important for application, these are application instructions, not performance metrics. A low DFT may indicate an inferior product, but a high DFT doesn’t automatically mean better performance; it just means you need more product. Focus on the performance specs (SR, Elongation) achieved at the specified DFT. If the required DFT is excessive, the project cost increases.

Solid Content by Volume

• What it is: The roof will only have a certain percentage of the liquid product left on it once the water or solvent has completely evaporated.
• Why it’s marketing junk (to an extent): This is a major sign of value, but not of good performance. A product with 60% solids (by volume) is more efficient than a product with 40% solids because you have to use fewer gallons to meet the required Dry Film Thickness (DFT). It’s a cost, not a performance spec. Even though the high-solids silicone coatings (90%+ solids) use less material than high-solids acrylics (typically 50-65% solids) to reach the same DFT, the performance is what counts.

Viscosity

• What it is: A parameter that indicates the viscosity of the liquid covering, whether it is very thick or very thin.
• Why it’s marketing junk: This specification is meant for the contractor and gives the proper guidance to perform spraying or rolling. This is not an indicator at all of the coating performance, durability, or energy efficiency when it is cured.

Also Read: How Cool Roof Coatings Extend Roof Life

Actionable Steps for Facility Managers and Procurement

When you receive a cool roof paint TDS, use this checklist to guide your decision-making:

Step 1: Verify Third-Party Certification

• Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) Label: Does the TDS reference a valid CRRC Product ID Number? If the product is not listed on the CRRC directory, its performance claims cannot be trusted for energy rebates or building code compliance.
• ASTM Testing: Ensure the key performance specs (Tensile, Elongation, Adhesion) are backed by industry-standard ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) test methods

Step 2: Focus on Long-Term Value (Aged Performance)

• Give Precedence to Aged Reflectance: Even if Aged Reflectance is absent or very low, do not let an Initial Reflectance of 0.85 deceive you into thinking that it is a good choice. Only the Aged Reflectance figure holds the key to long-term energy consumption reduction.
• Inspect the Warranty and Required DFT: A 15-year guarantee is only acceptable if the application of the coating has been done at the predetermined Dry Film Thickness (DFT). To uncover the real material cost, look into the required DFT for the intended warranty period across the competing products. More warranty = More required DFT = Higher material cost.

Step 3: Understand the System

• Primer Requirements: Does the coating require a specific primer for your substrate (e.g., TPO, EPDM, Mod-Bit)? The TDS must clearly state the required primer, as omitting it will void the warranty and cause adhesion failure.
• VOC Content: Check the Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) content (g/L). This must comply with local, state, and national air quality regulations. A low-VOC paint is generally better for the environment and for the health of the applicators.

By emphasising the CRRC certified Solar Reflectance and Thermal Emittance for saving energy plus the Elongation and Adhesion for durability, facility managers and purchase directors can safely pick a cool roof paint that provides real, long-term ROI.