OXI thermal range: neither hot nor cold, find the right solution

Whether they are professionals, individuals, owners, or tenants, everyone faces the same problems and pitfalls when it comes to thermal insulation. Moreover, only 10% of homes are equipped to combat the heat. Beyond the issue of increased energy consumption resulting from attempts to cool stifling interiors, there is a growing discomfort in homes without air conditioning that remain overheated in the summer, and even into the autumn.

Environmental concerns have made air conditioning a less and less acceptable solution. It is now imperative to move beyond traditional approaches and find reasonable, innovative solutions that are compatible with the need for energy conservation while ensuring comfort at home.

How does heat work?

Several phenomena influence the thermal comfort of buildings and their energy efficiency.

Solar absorption refers to the amount of solar energy captured by a material and transformed into heat. High absorption leads to a rise in temperature of the material and its surroundings (urban heat island effect). To reduce this phenomenon, reflective paints such as Cool Roof or Cool Wall can be used, which limit the absorption of heat by surfaces.

Solar transmittance refers to the amount of solar radiation that passes through a material without being absorbed or reflected. High solar transmittance can lead to overheating inside a building in summer.

Solar reflection refers to the proportion of solar radiation reflected by a surface instead of being absorbed.

A highly reflective surface stays cooler, which reduces the need for air conditioning.

Solutions such as Cool Roof roofing coatings and Cool Wall reflective facade paints help to better manage solar gain and limit overheating of buildings.

The Cool Roof technique is a solution that has been tried and tested for a long time in the countries around the Mediterranean and in South America.

Long before the term "Cool Roofing" was coined, these ancient societies were already using methods to reflect the sun's heat. The white buildings that characterize the villages of the Greek islands are certainly aesthetically pleasing, but not only that...

Working on the reflection of solar radiation on roofs and facades thus makes it possible to ensure overall protection of homes from top to bottom, providing real thermal comfort and a real difference in terms of energy consumption.

What is a Cool Roof? A roof known as a Cool Roof has surface properties that allow it to reflect a large part of the solar radiation.

Their effectiveness is assessed using the SRI (Solar Reflective Index). The higher the SRI, the more efficient the cool roof, the better the protection, and the cooler it is inside.

Note: Cool Roof is a label, not a brand. It is awarded by organizations such as the CRRC (Cool Roof Rating Council) in the United States and the ECRC (European Cool Roofs Council) in Europe since 2011.

OXI thermal range

Building on its 100 years of expertise in materials protection, the Durieu group and its Oxi brand have chosen to develop innovative reflective solutions capable of protecting facades and roofs from heat accumulation.

The Oxi Thermal Range (*) offers two specialties, REFLECTCOOL for roofs and INSULATING FACADE PAINT.

REFLECTCOOL: Heat-resistant roof coating

The reflective and protective performance of this cool roofing solution results from the precise blending of highly technical resins. Thanks to its optimal adhesion, REFLECTCOOL can most often be applied in a single layer, regardless of the roof conditions. Its performance remains consistent even in areas prone to water retention, where adhesion is typically challenging. Similarly, without a primer, the finish remains flawless on standard bituminous or EPDM membranes used on flat roofs.

The "white" guarantee: a white shade that doesn't get dirty. The quality of the pigments in this coating provides better resistance to normal soiling over time compared to other reflective finishes that lose their brilliance.

A lasting white tint. When it's time to clean, the process is easy and restores the original white. Stains and streaks are effectively removed by washing, guaranteeing ten times the lifespan of the protection. By maintaining its original color, REFLECTCOOL retains its effectiveness against solar radiation for longer.

INSULATING FACADE PAINT: Water-based, thermo-reflective paint

Suitable for all properly prepared facades, this finish can be applied to most surfaces (cement, concrete, plaster, stucco). It reflects a large portion of solar radiation, thus reducing facade heating. Its effectiveness helps lower the interior temperature of homes, preventing excessive air conditioning in summer. With its excellent SRI 108 (**), this INSULATING FACADE PAINT significantly reduces structural heating and expansion, thereby limiting condensation. Less humidity means better insulation.

20% recycled content: the formulation of INSULATING FACADE PAINT has been developed to incorporate recycled components and the teams have succeeded in guaranteeing unchanged performance by incorporating 20% ​​recycled content.

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Its low thermal conductivity index of 0,0491 W/mK also helps to reduce heat loss, thus optimizing the overall insulation of the building.

Note: the lower the thermal conductivity coefficient, the better the insulating properties of the material. For example, wood, considered a good thermal insulator, has a coefficient between 0.1 and 0.2 W/mK.

SRI: What are we talking about?

The Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) is an indicator, rated from 0 to 100, that assesses a roof's or facade's ability to reflect solar radiation and limit heat buildup. The higher the SRI, the cooler the building stays, reducing heat transmitted inside, the need for air conditioning, and consequently, energy consumption.

* It is strongly recommended to seek professional advice before starting any construction project.

** According to ASTM E1980 and measured on the Diamond White shade