Roof Surface Research Articles

Novel cool roofing technology system with sustainable design for attic temperature reduction

The penetration of increasing solar gain towards the building deteriorates the building's thermal quality and raises cooling demand. In particular, the roof receives the most solar gain. The roof system reformation is urged to improve the roof system's heat capacity and conserve building energy. This paper introduced a novel cool roofing system to replace the traditional roof system. The proposed novel cool roofing applications merged: (i) lightweight foam concrete, (ii) hollow concrete slab, (iii) white cooling paint and (iv) active reflective insulation system powered by solar energy. The discovery of the proposed system was evaluated with experimental chambers exposed to the outdoor environment. Under intense sunlight, the internal roof surface was 30.6 % cooler (50.5 °C to 35.0 °C). The mean attic temperature achieved was 33.9 °C under a field where the daily maximum recorded surrounding temperature is 43.0 °C. In contrast with a bare roof at 41.9 °C, the proposed design demonstrated a 19.2 % lower solar gain, achieving a sub-ambient structure. Besides that, the cooling demand simulation generated similar cooling demand savings (20 %). Significantly, this comprehensive cool roofing system exhibited a considerable and constructive outcome in cooling the buildings by achieving sustainable development to create a better and more environmental future for all.

Solar Spectrum Reflectometer Measurements on Profiled and Small Samples: Design and Testing of Adapters

AbstractTesting solar reflective building materials is mainly performed in laboratories using Solar Spectrum Reflectometer (SSR) or spectrophotometry. To obtain aged materials values, after exposing materials in test farms for natural ageing or applying ASTM-D7897, treated samples shall be tested again using SSR. On-site measurements of new and aged surfaces is allowed using pyranometers or albedometers, which present issues caused both by high-pitched roof and by solar and sky requirements in several locations such as at southern and middle Europe latitudes, where clay tiles are a typical coverage of roof surfaces. The use of battery-powered SSR offsite could be a solution to obtain reliable measurements in every climate, lighting, and slope condition. However, the shape of roof surfaces remains an issue since most of the tiles are characterized by elaborated morphologies that cannot fit the measurement head of the SSR. In this study, two sets of cylindrical adapters for SSR, made via Fused Deposition Modeling and coated with solar reflective white diffuse paint or specular reflective coating were produced and tested to overcome this problem. The adapters were attached to the top of the measurement head and measurements were performed according to ASTM-C1549. These adapters were tested with samples characterized by ASTM-C1549, analyzing the output from all 6 detectors of SSR, and by spectrophotometry according to ASTM-E903, using both AM1GH and ASTM E891-87 irradiance spectra. Aluminum-coated adapters proved ideal due to non-impact on measurements. Solar reflectance showed strong linear correlation for 30–50 mm adapter lengths, indicating minimal signal damping. They will allow testing most of the samples that cannot be tested with standard methods, especially aged ones, without altering their surface.

Forest Stand Growth Forecasting in the Context of Changes in the Insolation of Building Roofs

This article analyzed the long-term impact of tree growth on the decrease in sunlight of a planned photovoltaic installation. As trees grow, they can obstruct sunlight and reduce the amount of insolation reaching the PV panels, and knowledge about the degree of this reduction is crucial when assessing the long-term economic effects of the investment. Currently, when planning PV installation, the roof facing, latitude, topography, and neighboring buildings are taken into account. However, there is no tool to assess the impact of tree growth over time on changes in the level of sunlight on the roof surface. The authors propose a tool for performing such an assessment using geospatial analysis techniques. The data from airborne laser scanning (ALS) and unmanned aerial vehicles with laser scanning (ULS) were used to model trees in two epochs. The authors used two epochs of data to evaluate mathematical models of tree growth. The evaluated tree growth model was then used to predict forest stand growth over a 30-year period and to assess the change in sunlight due to the modeled growth. For the case study, two test sites have been taken into account. At site 1 and site 2, respectively, 25 and 12 points representing the centers of potential photovoltaic panels were designed, for which the annual sum of minutes during which the point remained exposed to sunlight was calculated. The results showed that the use of ALS and ULS provided valuable data for determining current and predicted shading of trees. Moreover, the presented studies showed that the changes in forest stand growth had a significant impact on decreasing the insolation of building construction. In the case of both test sites, the change in tree height after 30 years resulted in a reduction in the number of minutes of sunlight by more than 50%. The authors suggest that the developed technique should be incorporated into PV installation planning tools to ensure reliable prediction of the long-term profitability of designed PV installations.

Factors to Consider in Developing Conceptual Scopes of Repair for Common Low-Slope Roofing Assemblies

Forensic engineers are commonly asked to develop conceptual scopes of repair as part of their work. Many factors impact these recommendations, including building codes, construction feasibility, manufacturer assessment, and installation requirements. In addition, the conditions present on and within the existing roof surfaces can limit the repairability of a commercial roof assembly such that removal and replacement of the entire roof section is the appropriate or only feasible repair option. This paper will focus on common limitations to be considered when developing a conceptual scope of repair for common commercial roof systems, including single-ply membranes, built-up roofing, metal panel roofing, spray polyurethane foam roofing, and the application/maintenance of roof coatings. It will also discuss an assessment methodology that can assist in developing a broader understanding of the condition of the roof surfaces.

Thermal Performance of Residential Roofs in Malaysia: Experimental Study Using an Indoor Solar Simulator

Previous researchers have detailed the problems in measuring the thermal resistance value of a whole roof assembly under hot conditions due to the uncertainty of the outdoor environment. Currently, no established method exists to experimentally investigate an entire thermal roof performance under a steady-state condition. This article details the properties of the indoor solar simulator and the research methods undertaken to measure the thermal resistance value of roof assembly. The indoor solar simulator utilizes 40 halogen bulbs to accurately replicate sun radiation. Thermocouples and heat flux sensors are installed at several locations on the roof assembly to quantify the heat transmission occurring through it. The thermal resistance value is determined by adding up the average difference in temperature across the external and internal roof surfaces and dividing the total amount by the total of all averaged heat fluxes. Subsequently, this study investigates the thermal efficiency of residential roof assemblies that comprise various insulation materials frequently employed in Malaysia, including stone wool, mineral glass wool, reflective bubble foil insulation, and radiant barriers. The analysis showed that the roof configurations with bubble foil reflective insulation produce superior thermal resistance values when coupled with enclosed air space or mass insulation, with thermal resistance values ranging between 2.55 m2K/W and 3.22 m2K/W. It can be concluded that roof configurations with bubble foil reflective insulation resulted in high total thermal resistance and passed the minimum thermal resistance value of 2.5 m2K/W under the Malaysian Uniform Building By-Law 38 (A) requirements. Furthermore, the radiant barrier produced a high thermal resistance value of 2.50 m2K/W when installed parallel to a 50 mm enclosed air space, emphasising the crucial function of an enclosed air space next to a reflective foil to resist the incoming heat radiation. The findings from this research can help building professionals determine the optimum insulation for residential building roofs in Malaysia.

Climate Change Response Strategies and Implications on Sustainable Development Goals in Mutirikwi River Sub-Catchment of Zimbabwe

Sub-catchment level water sector response strategies to climate change in Zimbabwe have not been adequately analyzed to determine their impact and connectedness with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this study, the mixed methods research design is used to examine the implications of water sector climate change response strategies (CCRS) on SDGs in Mutirikwi sub-catchment in Masvingo, Zimbabwe. Results show that the climate is changing, with a statistically significant (p = 0.031; α = 0.05) increase in the annual mean temperature and a declining rainfall trend, though not statistically significant (p=0.753; α = 0.05). Views from local communities and stakeholders confirm the existence of climate change. There is a deluge of response strategies to the changing climate, including borehole drilling, roof rainwater harvesting, surface storage, water reuse and water transfers. These strategies have directly contributed to the achievement of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Settlements), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). They have also indirectly contributed to the achievement of SDG 3 (Health), SDG 5 (Gender), SDG 9 (Infrastructure) SDG 12 (Sustainable Consumption) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). The study concludes that there is an inextricable link between CCRS and SDGs. However, implementation of the response strategies is riddled with challenges that are threatening the sustainability matters. There is a need to design community-driven response mechanisms synergized with national and international climate adaptation initiatives to ensure sustainability of the strategies through guaranteed policy and resource support from the national government and non-governmental agencies.

Analysis and evaluation of proposals for rainwater harvesting systems for non-consumptive use in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador

Due to the current population increase, the demand for the use of natural resources is also increasing exponentially, one of them is drinking water, this resource is one of the vital elements for human beings and has become the most exploited and specifically underutilized in residential buildings. Currently, this vital element has been used in cleaning activities, irrigation of plants and other non-consumptive activities. The World Health Organization recommends that water consumption should be 100 liters/inhabitant/day to consider a sustainable society; however, in the city of Cuenca- Ecuador, consumption doubles the recommended limit. Studies show that this consumption can be reduced with the application of bioclimatic strategies, one of which is rainwater harvesting. Therefore, this research focuses on the analysis and proposal for rainwater harvesting to solve the underuse of potable water in residential buildings for non-consumptive use (laundry, garden irrigation, house cleaning and toilet flushing). Thus, for rainwater harvesting for domestic purposes, the roof surface is used, and this model is known as SCAPT. The research methodology is of an experimental type in that collection strategies and systems are proposed, analyzed, and evaluated. With these rainwater harvesting systems, more than 55 litres/inhab/day can be incorporated into the dwelling, thus contributing to the reduction and control of drinking water in residential buildings.

Effect of terrace covers on temperature inside buildings

Vegetated terraces are becoming increasingly widespread, given their benefits in terms of regulating the building's climate and the speed of rainwater run-off. The first step in this research was to select plantations that can withstand the conditions of terraces. This involves selecting low-maintenance plants, substrates and aggregates for mineralised terraces that do not require maintenance. You'll need to take into account the local climate, the thickness of the substrate you can lay on the terrace. Terraces require the use of perennial plants, which are resistant to temperature differences and grow fairly quickly. This allows the roof surface to be covered quickly, and also protects the building from extremes of temperature, high in summer and cold in winter. Tests were carried out to compare the effects of different terrace coverings on the temperature inside the building in different seasons. The results obtained show that the 10 cm thick layer of roofing has a warming effect during the cold period (0.84°C) and a cooling effect during the warm period (0.32°C), and that the 5 cm thick layer of terrace roofing has a cooling effect during the warm period (0.64°C) and a warming effect during the cold period (1.32°C).

Study of Solar Incidence on Roof Surface Geometry of Churches in San José de Cúcuta, Colombia: Analysis of Architectural Enclosure in Hot Weather

Study of Solar Incidence on Roof Surface Geometry of Churches in San José de Cúcuta, Colombia: Analysis of Architectural Enclosure in Hot Weather

Projektovanje i realizacija fotonaponske elektrane izlazne snage 1500 kW na krovu fabrike „Flash“-Apatin

The paper presents the realization of a photovoltaic power plant with an output power of 1500 kW on the roof of the "Flash" factory hall in Apatin, Serbia. The solar power plant is connected to the LV bus-bars in the 20/0.4 kV 1600 kVA transformer station and supplies the factory's consumers through them. In periods when there is not enough solar insolation, the power of consumers in the factory is realized from the power grid. The solar power plant contains 3780 mono-crystalline photovoltaic panels, each with a power of 455 W. The roof surface of the building faces southwest - northeast. Photovoltaic panels are installed on the roof surface of the production hall with the administrative part. The specificity of the roof structure composed of two units (a roof with roof slopes and a flat roof) caused a series of design solutions that will be presented in more detail in the paper. The paper also shows the disposition of DC/AC power converters-inverters and their mutual communication, as well as the system for monitoring output parameters (voltage, current, power) and the quality of electricity delivery to consumers in the factory.

Spatial temperature distribution and ground thermal storage in the plastic greenhouse: An experimental and modeling study

The precise regulation of the indoor thermal environment in plastic greenhouses is impacted by the spatial distribution of indoor air temperature and soil temperature fluctuations. This study used a scaled-down model to take the preliminary experiment to demonstrate the dynamic spatial temperature variation in a plastic greenhouse. Then, by considering the dynamic change in solar orientation, a transient model of a real-size plastic greenhouse coupling soil and indoor microenvironment was developed, validated, and then applied to investigate the spatial temperature distribution in the plastic greenhouse. In addition, a method for measuring the soil capability for effective thermal conversion was proposed. Results showed that the indoor air temperature varied significantly with height. The temperature difference between the air near the roof surface and the air within the building peaked at 13.3 °C at 12:00 and was just 2 °C at 9:00. The soil temperature increased, and soil temperature peaks delayed sequentially with the soil depths. The daily fluctuation of soil temperature decreased with increasing soil depth, and the temperature remained stable at the depth of 0.45 m. In addition, with an effective heat conversion rate of 40.3 %, the soil regulated the indoor thermal environment as a heat source. This paper provides a reference for the indoor thermal environment regulation of plastic greenhouses for the purpose of saving energy in agricultural production.

INTEGRATION OF OPERATION OF REGENERATORS OF GLASS FURNACES

The material of the article relates to the glass industry, namely to equipment for cooling the roof of regenerators of glass melting furnaces and can be used in the construction of new or reconstruction of existing regenerators.
 When the refractories of industrial glass melting furnaces are destroyed, an intensive decrease in the wall thickness of the melting basin occurs, which leads to a significant increase in the temperature of the outer surface of the walls and, accordingly, an increase in heat losses. The maximum destruction of the refractory masonry of the walls of the melting basin is observed at the level of the mirror of the melted glass. There is uneven wear along the height and perimeter of the pool. The rate of destruction of the masonry is determined by the stability of the used refractories, the temperature regime of glass melting, and the design features of the units.
 The technical task of the article is: to increase the service life of the refractory masonry of the glass furnace regenerator roof; utilization of the heat of the outer masonry surface of the regenerator roof, as well as improvement of its cooling system by using water cooling of the outer surface of the regenerator roof; saving fuel consumed to heat the same amount of coolant in boiler equipment.
 The proposed cooling of the outer surface of the regenerator roof makes it possible to: reduce the temperature of the outer surface of the roof to the level of 30 °C and at the same time make the most of the heat of the outer surface of the regenerator roof, which has not been used before, for example, to obtain hot water from a heat supply system, and this makes it possible to save fuel costs, which are necessary for the operation of boiler equipment to heat the same amount of coolant; to ensure a more uniform distribution of temperature fields over the entire plane of the regenerator roof by using flat collectors of a special design, which, in turn, makes it possible to slow down the process of destruction of the refractory lining of the regenerator roof. The thermocouples installed in the pipelines make it possible to monitor the change in the temperature of the coolant in the collectors, and in the event of an increase in the surface temperature of the collectors, the automation increases the flow of the coolant in the pipelines. The collectors are equipped with pressure valves, when the temperature of the coolant in the collector is above 100 °C, it can boil in the collector and then the pressure valve equalizes the pressure in the collector.

PV installations and the safety of residential buildings

The dynamic development of the photovoltaic industry entails threats that have a direct impact on the safety of residential buildings. Appropriate design of a PV installation can be a challenge due to the multifaceted nature of this issue. The designer should take into account issues related to the selection of electrical parameters of the installation, adapting lightning and surge protection in accordance with applicable standards, ensure the optimization of the system in terms of efficiency and fire safety and calculate the mechanical stress on the rooftop. Unfortunately, most PV installations in Poland are built without any engineering project, which is allowed by the current law. In this article, we describe the results of simulations of real mechanical loads inflicted from the installation of PV panels on flat roofs for various regions of Poland. We also present the results of the simulation of the thermal impact of hot-spots on the roof surface, which can be a potential source of fire. In addition, we propose changes to the regulations that may increase the safety of PV installations mounted on the roofs of residential buildings.

Field acoustical measurements for sound insulation residences against aircraft noise

In this paper, we have investigated measurement methods of the sound insulation performance for residences treated with increased sound insulation near airports in Japan. The flyover measurement method and the loudspeaker measurement method are conducted to verify the performance. The first one provides the performance of the whole facades of a house using aircraft noise, approximately similar to the FAA method described in ASTM E966. The pressure level outdoors is measured at enough high position to ignore the interference with sound from the ground or the house roof. However, the microphone is sometimes put on the roof surface because of being in the house's shadow in the overcrowded residential area. Thus, we have investigated the sound pressure level difference between the high and surface positions using simple numerical analysis and field measurement. On the other hand, the outdoor and indoor loudspeaker methods are conducted for facade elements such as windows and doors, according to JIS A 1520. The sound insulation performance for facade walls is also measured with ISO 16283-3; however, the loudspeaker sometimes cannot be positioned far enough from the wall. Thus, we have proposed the measuring method for the facade wall by applying the indoor loudspeaker method.

Cool roof strategies for urban thermal resilience to extreme heatwaves in tropical cities

Extreme heatwaves in tropical cities represent a significant short-term weather challenge, directly impacting urban heat, exacerbating human discomfort, and increasing energy demands. To alleviate this, meteorological adjustments utilizing reflective roofing technologies, such as cool roofs, can effectively mitigate heatwave-induced excess heat and enhance thermal comfort. This study assessed the effectiveness of cool roofs in cooling urban areas following heatwaves in Kolkata, India, using comprehensive city-scale simulations. The study presumed that the existing roofing materials, with a reflectivity of 0.15 and emissivity of 0.85, indicated the unmitigated condition. These materials were replaced with third-generation cool roof materials featuring a reflectivity of 0.80 and emissivity of 0.85, leading to a substantial improvement in urban meteorology and thermal comfort compared to the unmitigated state. Notably, during heatwave episodes, the most significant computed reductions in energy flux were 181.3 Wm−2, 16.6 Wm−2, 56.3 Wm−2, and 251.9 Wm−2 for sensible heat, latent heat, ground storage, and net inflow radiation, respectively. Consequently, this led to decreases of 2.3 °C, 6.1 °C, 21.8 °C, and 1.9 °C in urban thermal parameters during peak hours (14:00 LT) for ambient temperature, surface temperature, roof surface temperature, and urban canopy temperature, respectively. The maximum drops in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) were 130.6 m, 1978.5 m, and 1010.3 m for 6:00 LT, 14:00 LT, and 18:00 LT, with an average of 870.3 m. Cool roofs demonstrated their potential to minimize thermal stress during heatwave periods, showcasing a maximum drop in the heat stress index (HSI) of up to 1.5 °C in the morning. Furthermore, outdoor thermal comfort could be significantly enhanced by lowering the universal thermal comfort index (UTCI) at the near surface, resulting in reductions of up to 1.8 °C during peak hours. On average, there was a reduction in UTCI between day and night of approximately 1.2 °C and 0.7 °C in densely populated urban areas. Additionally, the study evaluated 32 case studies that focused on cool roof strategies, revealing remarkably consistent findings that suggest a plausible justification. These findings provide a valuable framework for urban planners and policymakers considering the integration of cool roofs-based heat reduction technology at the city scale.

Experimental energy performance assessment of a bifacial photovoltaic system and effect of cool roof coating

In the quest for high albedo materials that boost the energy production of bifacial photovoltaic systems, a range of material already exists for reducing building roof surface temperatures, called cool roof materials. However, there is a noticeable absence of scientific literature addressing the combination of cool roofs and bifacial photovoltaic systems. This study investigates the photovoltaic performance of a bifacial photovoltaic system with cool roof coating on the underside and its impact on floor temperature. For this purpose, four ∼1kWp prototypes were installed on the terrace of the GAIA building of the UPC near Barcelona, Spain: (1) bifacial panels above a cool roof, (2) bifacial panels above normal floor, (3) bifacial panels above a normal floor with n-type solar cells encapsulated in TPO, and (4) monofacial panels. The results reveal 8.6 % higher PV yield for bifacial with cool roof compared to monofacial, and 4–4.5 % higher for bifacial (normal floor) compared to monofacial. Additionally, the cool roof coating contributes to reducing the floor temperatures, particularly in the unshaded (exposed) areas during summer (−3.8 °C). The presence of photovoltaic panels has also demonstrated a positive impact on floor temperatures during both winter and summer. Thus, the cool roof coating offers two benefits: increased photovoltaic yield and reduced building cooling requirements, both of which are associated with economic advantages. The cool roof coating can be integrated into existing or new bifacial roof systems.

A geographic information system-based large scale visibility assessment tool for multi-criteria photovoltaic planning on urban building roofs

Integration of photovoltaics (PV) into the urban environment will play a major role in the energy transition. However, installing PV systems on building roofs can be challenging, particularly for monumental buildings with strict architectural and social value restrictions. Assessing roof surface visibility is, therefore, key to finding as much permitted roof surface area as possible that may be used for PV installation. In this study, a GIS-based large-scale visibility assessment tool is developed that can assist in evaluating roof visibility, using LiDAR, road networks, and cadastral data as inputs. The tool delivers multi-level outputs, including maps of roof binary visibility, roof visual amplitude, roof PV system layout, roof PV system AC yield, and roof PV module visibility. After optimization, an average speed of 0.12 s/m2 is achieved. For each roof surface, an additional sensitivity analysis has been conducted. This step determines the optimal values for two visibility analysis parameters: assessment range and observer spacing, balancing the computational demand and result accuracy. Application of this workflow to the monumental buildings on the TU Delft campus revealed that approximately 2.68 GWh/year of electricity could be harvested from imperceptible PV modules, while an additional 0.42 GWh/year of energy is attributed to PV modules with medium visibility, and 0.37 GWh/year of energy is associated with PV modules with high visibility. This modeling workflow supports the multi-criteria decision-making process for urban roof PV planning.

Lifecycle Analysis of Green Roofs in the Mediterranean Climate

Buildings account for a significant amount of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Electricity and fossil fuels are currently the primary sources of energy used for cooling and heating buildings, depending on the climate and location. Both energy sources are responsible for significant greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, plants and vegetation absorb carbon dioxide and, thus, improve the quality of air. This effect indirectly influences climate change to lower energy demands and produce additional emissions due to rising energy consumption trends. Plants also reduce the ambient temperature by providing shade on roof surfaces. Hence, the large-scale deployment of green roofs reduces energy consumption, emissions, and costs. However, green roofs also impact the overall weight of a building and require additional construction costs. Therefore, the contribution of green roofs to the various structural and thermal performances of buildings varies for extensive intensive or semi-intensive systems. These interactions warranted a lifecycle analysis to optimize the extent of green roof applications. This approach highlighted sustainability performance measures, including energy, emissions, water, and waste. The presented study addressed a lifecycle analysis of green roof deployment during a hot summer in a Mediterranean climate zone. This climate applies to many areas that benefit from warming temperatures without extreme needs for cooling or heating. The emphasis on comparing two towns within the same climate zone facilitated a more detail-oriented approach to the lifecycle analysis. The results illustrated the energy consumption and associated release of greenhouse gas emissions related to structural and roofing materials and thermal operations throughout the service life of a building. The conclusions assessed the challenges and opportunities of green roof applications on new and existing buildings.

The Impact of Roof Coating and Solar PV System in the Tropical Region of Ghana

Adding PV module to roof has impacts on building`s electricity energy consumption. The aim of this paper is to assess the energy consumption performance of buildings by integrating solar Photovoltaic (PV) system into buildings with roof coating. An experiment was conducted to verify the efficient outcome of PV module using a building from the Anaji area of Takoradi in the Western region of Ghana. A framework energy model was proposed to analyse the integrated contribution of coating and PV performance using PVSOL. The temperature of the coated roof surfaces underneath the PV panels were significantly lower than that of the exposed roof in the daytime. The system integrated energy efficiency for flat and tilted overhead PV roofs are 63.35 % and 62.73 %, respectively. Using the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) performance criterion, the monthly energy savings for coated roofs with solar PV is 28.86 kW or GH¢ 340.21; while the monthly energy savings for coated roofs without PV is 25.91 kW or GH¢ 303.00. Overall, the proposed integrated coated roof with PV outperforms the coated roof without PV. Validating the model, the mean relative errors (MRE) were all below 10%, while the accuracy of Power-Added Efficiency (PAE) were all beyond 95%. Thus, the proposed integrated roof coating and solar PV model for optimizing energy consumption is reliable.

Development of a Single-Sided Magnetic Resonance Surface Scanner: Towards Non-Destructive Quantification of Moisture in Slaked Lime Plaster for Maintenance and Remediation of Heritage Architecture

Single-sided time-domain proton magnetic resonance (MR) surface scanners are useful for non-destructive measurements of moisture. A mobile single-sided MR sensor unit employing two concentric ring magnets was constructed for the in situ quantification of moisture in slaked lime plaster used in the outer walls and roofs of heritage architecture. This sensor unit allows for non-destructive measurements of water proton relaxation 1.5 to 13.5 mm beneath the surfaces of walls and roofs. The following laboratory experiments on water-saturated porous slaked lime plaster samples were performed. (i) The porosity (water volume fraction) was measured in approximately eight minutes with a root mean square error of 1.9 vol%. (ii) The fundamental MR-related property (i.e. proton surface relaxivity) needed for the estimation of the pore size distribution was also measured successfully. (iii) The pore volume expansion due to frost damage was successfully detected as a significant change in the transverse relaxation time distribution. These results demonstrate that the portable MR surface scanner is a promising non-destructive testing tool for the maintenance and remediation of heritage architecture made of plaster.