RESIDENTIAL COOL ROOFING

In the United States, four out of five homes are covered with asphalt shingles. These shingles are
beautiful, affordable and reliable, and are constantly raising the bar in protecting your most
valuable asset.
What is Cool Roofing?
“Coolness” is measured by two properties, solar reflectance (SR, or reflectivity) and thermal
emittance (emissivity), or a combination of the two, called the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI). Cool
roofs can also be referred to as “highly reflective roofs” and “high albedo roofs.” A cool roof
reflects and emits the sun’s heat back to the sky rather than transferring it to the building below.
What are the benefits of Cool Roofing?
There is a great deal of information regarding cool roofing as an environmentally friendly choice.
Cool roofs are an energy efficient choice that can simultaneously reduce the impact of the “Heat
Island Effect,” which refers to a metropolitan area that is significantly warmer than its rural
surroundings.
Benefits include:
• Increased energy efficiency
• Improved comfort
• Reduced energy bill
• Reduced capital cost
• Longer roof life
• Reduced “Heat Island Effect”
The Energy Efficiency Discussion: Warmer climates, such as Southern California, New Mexico,
Texas, Arizona, and the South East Gulf States, where the heating days exceed the cooling days,
a cool roof will reduce the transfer of heat from the sun’s rays into your home or building by
reflecting the heat rays back into the atmosphere, thus causing your air conditioning system to
run less frequently.
The Heat Island Discussion: Cooler climates, such as Chicago, New York, Baltimore, and San
Francisco, the benefits of reflective roofing as a sound energy-efficient choice are specific to
the particular region and its climate.
• Many states are instituting building code changes to require roof systems to be energy
efficient.
• There are many rebate programs available in the market place. To learn about potential
energy efficiency rebates in your state please visit: http://www.dsireusa.org
What does ARMA believe about Cool Roofs?
ARMA views roof surface reflectance as only one component of the approach as an appropriate
regulatory policy and design principle for energy conservation, mitigation of urban heat islands,
and improved air quality. The “Whole Building Envelope” approach is the best option for
designing and optimizing performance-based, proven and cost effective commercial and
residential buildings. It allows flexibility and consumer choice in the selection of roof systems.
What options are available to make my steep-sloped asphaltic roof more
energy-efficient?
• Asphalt Shingle with Cool Granule Technology
With the new roofing granule technology, these shingles reflect solar energy and radiate heat far
better than traditional roofing shingles. Visit CRRC and Energy Star for more information.
• Proper Attic Ventilation
Attic ventilation is green. A balanced ventilation system requires no energy to run and can help
reduce bills and damage to your home. Be sure to ask your contractor about proper ventilation
before sealing your attic structure.
• Added Insulation
By adding roof insulation to your home, you will be able to save money because your furnace
will no longer have to run as often, keeping your energy bills low. Although you may already
have installed attic insulation, it doesn’t hurt to occasionally inspect this area. Or, try a
combination of them. However, ARMA highly discourages the uses of a field-applied coating over
an asphalt shingle roof.
What options are available to make my low-slope residential asphalt roof more
energy efficient?
Choose the asphalt roofing system you like and consider the following:
• Factory surfacing with reflective performance (e.g., adding granulated cap sheets)
• The insulation factor:
o Increased insulation
o Ballasted system affording extra protection
• Reflective coatings over some non-reflective low-slope membranes, such as a built-up roof or fieldapplied bitumen rolled product
• Vegetative or garden roofs may also help meet energy-efficient building codes; however, it is rare to
find these in residential re-roofing due to the cost and potential maintenance aspects of the system
o These systems often have special considerations so be sure to contact the manufacturer