The video, shared on X by user Dinesh K Sen, shows a man identified as Ritesh standing barefoot on his rooftop in the middle of a scorching afternoon. What surprised many viewers was the outdoor temperature itself. According to the video, the temperature had reached around 44 degrees Celsius at nearly 4:15 pm.
The person filming the clip looked visibly shocked and asked, “Let me show you something remarkable. Even in 44°C heat, you’re standing barefoot on this roof. What’s the secret.”
Ritesh then explained that the rooftop was not naturally cool and there was no hidden setup involved. “The sun is blazing, but my roof is cool. This isn’t a miracle – it’s science. I’m standing here completely barefoot,” he said while pointing towards his watch showing the afternoon time and temperature reading.
The Rs 850 rooftop formula that went viral
According to Ritesh, the cooling effect came from a homemade reflective coating prepared using a few low-cost materials. He said he used 20 kg of white lime or chuna, around 5 kg of Fevicol DDL binder and about 500 grams of a waterproofing compound called Universal Repair Polymer or URP.He explained that the lime should first be soaked overnight in nearly 50 litres of water. Once the mixture cools down properly, the binder and waterproofing liquid are added and mixed thoroughly before applying it over the rooftop surface.
Ritesh claimed the coating reduced roof temperature by almost 15 degrees during peak afternoon heat. “You won’t need to rely as much on coolers or air conditioners. Even a fan will start giving cooler air,” he said in the video.He further claimed that for a roof measuring nearly 1,000 square feet, the total expense would remain between Rs 800 and Rs 850.
Why the idea is getting attention online
The viral clip quickly started discussions online because many people connected the method with traditional cooling techniques already used in hot regions of India. Several users pointed out that white reflective coatings are scientifically known to reduce heat absorption.
One user commented, “White reflective coating is real science. It reflects most of the sun’s heat instead of absorbing it. Proper cool-roof coatings, or even a good lime-and-binder mix, can reduce roof surface temperatures by 10-20 degrees Celsius and lower indoor temperatures by several degrees.”
Another user suggested adding plants and pots on rooftops as an additional step to help absorb heat naturally. Some others mentioned that similar lime-based coatings have been used for years in places like Chennai to reduce indoor heat during summers.
The video also attracted people frustrated with rising electricity bills. Many social media users said the method looked like a practical alternative at a time when air conditioner costs and power consumption continue to increase every summer.
Experts have long maintained that lighter roof surfaces absorb far less heat than dark concrete slabs. White coatings reflect sunlight instead of trapping it, which helps reduce the temperature of the roof and eventually lowers indoor heat levels too.
That is one reason why cool-roof paints and lime coatings are commonly recommended in extremely hot climates. However, some users online also pointed out that actual results may differ depending on roof quality, weather conditions and the materials being used.
