Zinc Roof Color’s Effect on Temperature and Global Warming Potential in Humid Tropical Buildings

International Journal of Civil Engineering

© 2025 by SSRG - IJCE Journal

Volume 12 Issue 6

Year of Publication : 2025

Authors : Jefrey Ignatius Kindangen, Oktovian Berty Sompie, Octavianus Hendrik Rogi, Johansen Cruyff Mandey

10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V12I6P119

How to Cite?

Jefrey Ignatius Kindangen, Oktovian Berty Sompie, Octavianus Hendrik Rogi, Johansen Cruyff Mandey, "Zinc Roof Color’s Effect on Temperature and Global Warming Potential in Humid Tropical Buildings," SSRG International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 12,  no. 6, pp. 240-250, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V12I6P119

Abstract:

Zinc roofing is a common choice in humid tropical regions, yet its contribution to energy efficiency remains under-investigated. This study looked at how three different colors of zinc roofs, silver (unpainted), blue-painted, and maroon-painted, affected temperature and the environment when used on the same buildings in Manado, Indonesia, during three months of the dry season. Temperature data were collected from the roof surface, attic, and interior space. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) based on ISO 14040/44 was conducted, incorporating emissions and cooling energy associated with each roof’s reflectance properties. Findings revealed that maroon-colored roofs consistently caused higher attic and indoor temperatures, exceeding those under silver and blue roofs by more than 1°C. The silver roof showed the lowest Global Warming Potential (GWP) at -27.16 kg CO₂-eq/m² over a 20-year lifecycle, followed by blue at -0.76 kg CO₂-eq/m², while the maroon roof resulted in the highest emissions (+7.444 kg CO₂-eq/m²). These results emphasize the role of roof color in optimizing thermal comfort and minimizing environmental impact, highlighting silver-coated zinc as the most sustainable roofing option in hot-humid settings.

Keywords:

Global Warming Potential, Humid tropical climates, Life Cycle Assessment, Roof color, Thermal performance, Zinc roof.

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