egjacks wrote:I live in a hot sunny place, and was wondering how different skins reflect temperature. I know that light colors are cooler but what about different materials? I especially want to know if polishing the outside of a metal trailer would be cooler inside than an unpolished trailer of the same metal.
So I would love to hear about all y'all's experiences with different siding materials and finishes!
Long time camp secret for staying cool... Park it in the shade! Solar gain over ambient temperature is huge! Shade minimizes solar gain.
With that said, the more light you reflect the less temperature gain you have. White reflects all colors and absorbs less, stays cooler. Black reflects less colors and absorbs more, gets warmer.
Mine is a shiny aluminum skin over 3/4 plywood for the sides. Around the front and top is the same aluminum with 1/8 th inch plywood, 1 inch foam, 1/8 th inch ply sandwich. I don't know how that will compare with others regarding solar gain and heat, but I have an air conditioner too! As long as I can jack into the grid, I can stay cool.