At Harris Paints, we believe paint should do more than add colour. It should help solve real problems, protect the spaces where we live and work, and support a better future. This purpose matters more than ever as the Caribbean and communities around the world face the growing challenge of extreme heat.
With record temperatures, rising energy bills and the growing financial pressure of keeping homes and businesses cool, the effects of extreme heat are no longer isolated concerns; they are global realities that call for practical, scalable solutions. This is why Harris Paints is proud, as part of The Nova Paint Club, to introduce the "Cool Roof, Smart Choice" Campaign. Cool Roof Coatings are an innovative paint technology designed to help address extreme heat while simultaneously transforming how we, in the Caribbean, think about building efficiency and energy management.
Global Problems, Global Solutions
Our planet is getting hotter and traditional approaches to cooling buildings are becoming less sustainable. From tropical islands to countries across the world, the challenge is the same — higher temperatures lead to higher energy demands, higher electricity bills and greater pressure on power grids that were never designed for this level of consumption. In this context, cool roof technology offers a simple but scientifically powerful way to make buildings more comfortable, efficient and climate-resilient.
"Cool Roof, Smart Choice"
As industry leaders committed to developing greener, safer and overall better products for any climate, Harris Paints is pleased to join with the alliance of The Nova Paint Club's global movement aimed at accelerating the adoption of reflective roof coatings. Through the "Cool Roof, Smart Choice" Campaign, we are helping to bring this important solution to more homes, businesses and communities across the Region.
Cool Roof coating systems are designed to reflect solar radiation away from buildings while efficiently releasing absorbed heat. The benefits are practical and immediate — indoor temperatures are reduced by 2–5°C, air conditioning systems work less, energy bills decrease and people can live and work more comfortably.
The record-breaking temperatures experienced in 2023 and 2024 alone have shown us what happens when cooling infrastructure struggles to keep pace with extreme heat. No family should have to choose between comfort and affordability, and no business should have to dedicate large portions of its operating budget to cooling costs. Everyone is feeling the strain — and with Cool Roof Technology, there is affordable and immediate hope. There is no need for expensive building retrofits or complex climate control systems; this cool roof coating can be applied to new or existing roofs with relative ease. Homeowners will achieve significant reductions in cooling energy consumption, while commercial spaces benefit from lower operating costs and improved comfort for their guests, customers and employees.
Real Results, Real Impact
This impact can already be seen. Harris Paints applied a cool roof coating to two housing blocks in Haynesville, St James, Barbados, where residents had reported hot conditions, particularly in the upper floor bedroom areas. Testing after application showed that temperatures had reduced by up to 7°F, creating a more comfortable living environment for residents.
"Now that the roof is painted, it is a dramatic change. The house is much cooler, I can actually sleep with my fan off and wear loose clothes. It's very comfortable."
— Stacy-Ann Barker, Haynesville Resident
Stories like Stacy-Ann's demonstrate how cool roof technology can make a meaningful difference in daily life, delivering greater comfort while helping families reduce their dependence on air conditioning and lower energy costs.
A Greener Choice for Our Planet
Environmentally, cool roof technology is also a greener, healthier choice for our planet and its people. Cool roofs help reflect short-wave radiation from the sun back into outer space, where it cannot be trapped by greenhouse gases. This matters because, as the Earth absorbs more heat and becomes less reflective, solutions that reduce heat absorption can help lower surface temperatures and limit the amount of heat flowing into the atmosphere. In other words, every cooler roof application can contribute to a cooler planet and a more sustainable future.
Our Commitment, Reinforced
Harris Paints has always been committed to innovation that responds to real Caribbean challenges. Our Ulttima Plus paint line was developed through extensive research to address five major painting concerns for our customers, including durability against intense sun, resistance to mildew and fungus, colour retention, strong coverage and environmental responsibility. Our Green Wise certified products meet strict global environmental standards and contain no harmful chemicals. Now, with the "Cool Roof, Smart Choice" Campaign, we are taking the next major step by helping people across the Caribbean adapt to a hotter climate through a technology that is proven, accessible and affordable.
At Harris Paints, we will continue to offer solutions that make a meaningful difference. We currently special-order highly reflective and emissive cool roof coatings for commercial projects and are working to commercialise a version we can manufacture in the future. Together with other Nova Paint Club members from around the globe, and through the "Cool Roof, Smart Choice" Campaign, we are helping build cooler, more comfortable, more sustainable and more affordable spaces for the future.
To find out more about how our cool roof technology can transform your building and everyday life, contact us at hpc@harrispaintsonline.com.