Success Stories
Rotorua Sustainable Tourism Charter members are always implementing new and innovative sustainable business practices. Check back here regularly to learn about the contributions Charter member businesses are making towards sustainability.
Keep your cool … with Resene Cool Colours
Jun 18, 2009
Ever thought a house or building would look great painted in a sleek, dark colour – then had to shelve plans for fear of the heat damaging the substrate or the building getting unbearably hot in summer? Well, forget all that. Resene Cool Colour technology, which can be used on almost all exterior materials, makes painting exterior surfaces in dark colours both easier and safer.
Resene’s Cool Colour pigment technology allows dark coatings to reflect heat away from the surface, reducing stress on the coating and substrate, and limiting subsequent heat related damage. The technology also minimises the build-up of unwanted heat in the building, keeping air conditioning and cooling costs down.
Colin Gooch, Technical Director for Resene Paints explains that in terms of technology, the Cool Colour effect can also be seen in plants. “Most plants have leaves of a very high chroma green. If those leaves reached the same temperature when exposed to solar radiation as those of a similarly coloured paint they would shrivel and die. They don’t because the chlorophyll pigment absorbs what light it needs from the visible range to photosynthesise but reflects the infra-red range, keeping the plant cool” says Colin.
When it comes to roofs, having a darker shade in winter will not make much difference to how hot your roof – and home or building will get, however during the higher temperatures of summer the Cool Colour coating will make a difference by reflecting the heat away from the building.
Bill Scapens, the owner of Treks Backpackers, has recently finished painting the exterior of his backpackers with Resene’s Cool Colours system.
According to Bill, in addition to saving energy in air conditioned buildings, the paint’s smooth texture means the building can be cleaned with less water and chemicals.
PLAY YOUR PART – choose Charter Preferred Suppliers
Resene Cool Colours are available in a range of paints and stains so check with your local Resene ColorShop consultant for the product you need.
Contact: Mark Aschoff (Resene Branch Manager Bay of Plenty)
Phone: (07) 578 4169
Email: mark.aschoff@resene.co.nz
