Your customers cut their visits short
An overheated store cuts the time shoppers spend in the aisles.
Reflective roof coating for retail
Keep your stores cool all summer.
More comfortable customers, a lower cooling load, better-protected refrigerated sections.
-8 to -10°C
under the roof
-40%
cooling needs
Quote
based on a custom assessment
Why act
Heat weighs
on your sales.
In summer, a large commercial roof soaks up the sun and radiates heat inward. Customers stay for less time, air conditioning works harder and refrigerated sections struggle.
Your air conditioning runs at full capacity
The units run nonstop to keep up and the bill climbs.
Your refrigerated sections suffer
Refrigerated cabinets work harder to maintain the cold chain.
Your teams are on the front line
Checkouts, reception and aisles endure the heat while facing the public.
The common cause: a roof that absorbs heat instead of reflecting it back.
The Covalba solution
Your roof reflects
instead of heating up.
Same principle as on logistics warehouses: the coating treats the roof to reduce the heat transmitted into the building, without disrupting operations.
AbsorptionConventional roof
jusqu'à 80°Cen surface
- Dark surface
- Absorbs heat
- Increases the air conditioning load
RéflexionReflective roof
jusqu'à 90%du rayonnement réfléchi
- Light-colored surface
- Stays close to ambient temperature
- Reduces the cooling load
- Passive solution, with no energy consumption
- Applied from the outside, without closing the store
- Compatible with steel deck, bitumen and membrane
- Durable coating, 8 to 10 years of service life
One key question remains: how much does a coating really cost if it has to be redone too soon?
Durability
The cheapest costs more on a large roof.
The price per m² is not enough. On a store, you have to factor in service life, retained reflectivity and the risk of redoing it too soon.
Standard acrylic coating
Low cost at application
Prix au m²
~10 €
Tenue
2-5 ans
10 ans
25-30 €
- Reflectivity that drops quickly
- Chalking and yellowing
- More frequent reapplication
Covalba polyurethane system
Performance designed to last
Prix au m²
18-20 €
Tenue
8-10 ans
10 ans
18-20 €
- Durable polyurethane resin
- Anti-UV finish coat
- Reflectivity retained longer
Covalba compares technologies, not brands: a well-protected polyurethane resin holds its performance better than an entry-level acrylic coating.
Prime CEE
Covalba vérifie
votre éligibilité CEE.
La fiche BAT-EN-112 peut financer une partie du chantier pour les bâtiments commerciaux climatisés par pompe à chaleur. On vérifie les critères avant devis.
Vérifier mon éligibilité
Réponse personnalisée sous 24h
Repère rapide
La prime dépend surtout de la zone climatique et de la surface traitée.
H1Nord et est~0,80 à 1,45 €/m²
H2Centre et ouest~0,85 à 1,55 €/m²
H3Sud et Méditerranée~1,35 à 2,45 €/m²
À retenir
La prime n'est pas automatique. Covalba confirme la PAC, la surface, la zone et la conformité du revêtement avant de l'intégrer au chiffrage.
Une fois le financement cadré, l'enjeu est d'intervenir sans perturber le magasin.
Measurable benefits
A cooler store,
immediate effects.
By treating the roof, the reflective coating improves store comfort from the very first heat peaks.
Dès le premier été
Up to
-8 to -10°C
under your roof
Ce que ça change concrètement dans le point de vente.
Les gains varient selon la surface, mais le levier reste le même : réduire la chaleur reçue par la toiture.
Une clientèle qui reste et qui achète
Un magasin frais retient mieux les clients en période chaude.
Climatisation soulagée
Moins de chaleur à compenser pendant les pics d'été.
Rayons frais mieux préservés
Les meubles réfrigérés travaillent dans une ambiance plus stable.
Confort des équipes restauré
Des conditions plus supportables en caisse, accueil et rayons.
Toiture protégée
Le revêtement limite UV, dilatation et vieillissement du support.
Your buildings
A solution for every commercial building.
Covalba's coating is used on commercial buildings where heat drives up the bill, hurts foot traffic or threatens product preservation.
Alimentaire01
Supermarkets and hypermarkets
Large roofs, high foot traffic, refrigerated sections.
Galeries02
Shopping centers and retail galleries
Open volumes where comfort extends the visit.
Spécialisé03
Specialty big-box stores
DIY, sports, garden centers or furniture.
Proximité04
Shops and medium-format stores
Applied from the outside, with no store closure.
Parcs05
Retail parks and commercial zones
A consistent coating across an entire park.
Voir nos réalisations
The next question: how is the coating applied without disrupting operations?
The process
4 steps.
Store open. Zero interruption.
Everything happens from the outside. Your store keeps welcoming its customers, with no heavy equipment on the roof.
Step 01
Roof assessment
We review your roof, access points and the area to be coated to specify the right system for your contractor.
Step 02
Planning around your hours
Application is scheduled with your contractor so the store never has to close.
Step 03
Application from the outside
Machines stay at ground level and only the hoses run up to the roof, so there is no disruption inside the store.
Step 04
Measurable comfort from summer onward
The roof transmits less heat and the air conditioning is less strained.
Average duration: 2 to 5 days · No store closure
Demander un devis
We assess your roof, recommend the right system and quote it
Concrete results
Results measured
in the field.
Field figures and retail buildings already equipped with Covalba coatings.
-7.5°C
on the surface temperature
-38%
on cooling needs
Comfort
for customers and teams from the very first summer
Cas clients
Des références distribution déjà documentées.
DistributionCas détaillé
Intermarché - Illiers-Combray
Réhabilitation de 2 500 m² d’ancienne toiture bitumée : environ 5°C gagnés en réserve non climatisée, 3°C gagnés sur la zone magasin et 4,5% d’économie sur le poste froid.
2 500 m²de toiture rénovée-5°Cen réserve-3°Csur la zone magasin-4,5%sur le poste froid
Voir le cas
DistributionPreuve terrain
Cora - Houssen
Premier hypermarché Cora équipé d’une toiture cool roof : plus de 12 000 m² de surface de vente concernés par la réduction des apports solaires.
12 000 m²+surface de vente
Voir le cas
DistributionRéférence publiée
E.Leclerc - Ifs 14, France
Installation du revêtement CovaSeal sur l'étanchéité bitumineuse.
Voir les références
DistributionRéférence publiée
E.Leclerc - Vitrolles 13, France
Installation du revêtement réflectif CovaSeal 20 sur l'étanchéité bitumineuse.
Voir les références
DistributionRéférence publiée
Intermarché - Sarreguemines 57, France
Installation de la peinture réflective CovaTherm SRI=119 sur l'étanchéité bitumineuse.
Voir les références
DistributionRéférence publiée
Intermarché - L'Aigle 61, France
Installation de la peinture réflective CovaTherm SRI=119 sur l'étanchéité bitumineuse.
Voir les références
DistributionRéférence publiée
Intermarché - Illiers-Combray 28, France
Installation de la peinture réflective CovaTherm SRI=119 sur l'étanchéité bitumineuse.
Voir le cas
DistributionRéférence publiée
Intermarché - Trévenans 90, France
Installation de la peinture réflective CovaTherm SRI=119 sur l'étanchéité bitumineuse.
Voir les références
DistributionRéférence publiée
Netto - Marseille 13, France
Installation de la peinture réflective CovaTherm 20 sur les toitures bac acier.
Voir les références
DistributionRéférence publiée
Super U - Bernolsheim 67, France
Installation de la peinture réflective CovaTherm SRI=119 sur l'étanchéité bitumineuse.
Voir les référencesDistributionRéférence publiée
Cora - Houssen 68, France
Installation de la peinture réflective CovaTherm SRI=119 sur l'étanchéité bitumineuse.
Voir le cas
DistributionRéférence publiée
Colruyt - Grandvillars 90, France
Installation de la peinture réflective CovaTherm SRI=119 sur l'étanchéité bitumineuse.
Voir les références
DistributionRéférence publiée
Colruyt - Diebling 57, France
Installation de la peinture réflective CovaTherm 118 sur l'étanchéité bitumineuse.
Voir les références
DistributionRéférence publiée
Carrefour Market - Figeac 46, France
Installation du revêtement réflectif CovaTherm 20 sur l'étanchéité bitumineuse.
Voir les références
DistributionRéférence publiée
Carrefour Market - Puy-de-Dôme 63, France
Installation du revêtement réflectif CovaTherm 20 sur l'étanchéité bitumineuse.
Voir les références
DistributionRéférence publiée
Carrefour Market - Isère 38, France
Installation du revêtement réflectif CovaTherm 20 sur l'étanchéité bitumineuse.
Voir les références
DistributionRéférence publiée
Carrefour Market - Haute-Savoie 74, France
Installation du revêtement réflectif CovaTherm 20 sur l'étanchéité bitumineuse.
Voir les références
DistributionRéférence publiée
Carrefour Market - Ferrière d'Aunis 17, France
Installation du revêtement réflectif CovaTherm 20 sur l'étanchéité bitumineuse.
Voir les références
DistributionRéférence publiée
Carrefour Market - Loire 42, France
Installation du revêtement réflectif CovaTherm 20 sur l'étanchéité bitumineuse.
Voir les référencesRéférences distribution Covalba
Avant de lancer votre projet, voici les questions qui reviennent le plus souvent.
FAQ
Your questions,
our answers.
The points that come up most often among retail building managers.
Another question? Let's talkCool roof distribution
Make coolness a commercial asset.
Request your quote, or order a sample to test the coating yourself.
- Personalized assessment within 48h
- Detailed quote
- No commitment
Dossier distribution
Reflective roof coating for stores and large-format retail: why a reflective roof changes the game.
In retail, summer heat is not just a matter of comfort: it directly affects foot traffic, the energy bill and product preservation. Here is why a reflective roof changes the game on a sales floor, and what the reference research says on the subject.
Why retail buildings overheat in summer
A store or shopping center combines a large flat roof, often steel deck or a dark membrane, above a space open to the public that is meant to be kept at a comfortable temperature. A dark roof soaks up most of the solar radiation and its surface can hit 80°C in midsummer, then drives that heat inside. This is the heat flow through the roof that the reflective roof coating interrupts.
The reflective roof principle, backed by research
A reflective roof combines high solar reflectance and high emissivity: it sends back a large part of the radiation it receives and sheds the residual heat, instead of storing it. This passive cooling principle is well backed by public laboratories and academic research. These studies estimate that a reflective roof can cut a building’s air conditioning use by a wide margin, with the actual figure depending on insulation, climate zone and usage.
Thermal comfort, foot traffic and sales
Beyond energy, thermal comfort is a genuine commercial lever. An overheated store sees its foot traffic drop during heat events, and an uncomfortable customer cuts their visit short. A cool environment, on the other hand, encourages people to stay longer in the store. By lowering the temperature under the roof, the reflective coating keeps the store inviting at the very moment when competitors are suffering from the heat.
Controlling the air conditioning bill
Unlike a storage warehouse, a retail building is air-conditioned. When the roof heats up, the air conditioning runs in overdrive to hold the set temperature. By cutting the heat input through the roof, the reflective coating reduces the load on cooling and air conditioning equipment. The same mechanism eases the refrigerated sections: refrigerated cabinets and fresh-product areas consume less and preserve food better when the overall environment stays temperate.
A high-performance, durable reflective coating
Because a retail building is air-conditioned, a reflective roof coating acts where the cooling need is greatest. For durable results, the product must hold a high solar reflectance index even after aging: this is the condition for the air conditioning savings to be maintained over time. Covalba selects its coatings on this criterion and supports each project from assessment to quotation. Discover the reflective roof coating for retail.
A coating that lasts, on large surfaces
On a commercial roof of several thousand square meters, the durability of the coating is decisive. Low-end acrylic resin-based solutions lose their reflectivity within a few years, which forces a redo far sooner than expected. The coatings offered by Covalba, based on polyurethane and a finish coat, are designed to last 8 to 10 years while retaining their performance. For sensitive substrates, Covalba can also recommend a reflective roof waterproofing or a steel deck reflective coating.
Reflective roofs and the performance of the existing portfolio
Large retail buildings stand to gain the most from cutting their energy use, and the reflective coating fits this path by acting on air conditioning, with no heavy work or site closure. Most of the opportunity sits in the existing portfolio: stores and buildings with dark or aging roofs that are not yet treated. For a broader approach, also see the pillar page reflective roof coating for commercial buildings or request a reflective roof assessment for retail buildings.