Trends In Metal Roofing

Metal With Pizzazz, Building Design & Construction, 02-04, reports on new materials and coatings in the metal roofing market, such as:

• New, infrared reflective pigments allow dark-colored coatings to achieve higher levels of solar reflectance and infrared emittance. These so-called "cool" color pigments result in lower roof temperatures on darker-colored roofs, allowing these roofs to meet EPA EnergyStar/LEED standards for reducing building heat island effects.
• According to the article, alternatives to traditional coated metal roofing, such as stainless steel, titanium, zinc, and aluminum, are gaining market acceptance. With stainless steel and titanium, the protective oxide layers that form naturally on these metals can be manipulated to affect their appearance. By precisely controlling the thickness of the oxide layer, light interference effects result in a unique, colorized appearance that is virtually fade-proof.
• Other processes can be used to alter the natural patinas of zinc, copper, and other roof metals.

Also according to the article, the Cool Metal Roofing Coalition trade association, is currently working with the US Green Building Council to advance the credits attainable for cool metal roofing in the next LEED version. The Coalition is also working with the state of California to advance recognition of uncoated metal roofing in the next version of that state's Title 24 energy code.

Cool Metal Roofs and Sustainability
Cool metal roofs can contribute to meeting sustainability goals for a project under current LEED standards. The US Green Building Council's LEED New Construction Version 2.1 Rating System, Sustainable Sites Credit 7.2, awards one point for high-reflectance, high-emissivity roofs that contribute to reducing heat islands. Cool roofs can also contribute to building energy performance which is awarded points under Energy & Atmosphere, Prereqs 1 through 3 and Credit 1.

The Cool Roof Rating Council, another independent standards association for rating radiative roof performance, claims the following benefits for cool roofs:

• Lower your utility bills for air conditioning
• Down-size your air conditioning systems
• Expect lower roof maintenance costs and longer roof life
• Enjoy greater occupant comfort
• Use this low-cost energy efficiency measure for meeting building codes


• Help address your community's heat island effects