Cool roofs for a climate-conscious market

By Anna Lockhart.  

With climate change and energy efficiency becoming a growing concern for many home and building owners, choosing the right roofing materials matters.  

Are your customers concerned about getting the most out of their investments? In an ever-increasing global climate, where beating the heat at a reasonable price is key, installing a metal roofing system can mean major savings and an increased eco-conscious footprint for building owners. In an episode of the Roofing Road Trips® podcast, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Melissa Dunson, director of marketing for Central States Manufacturing, to discuss how metal roofing systems are the ideal solution for those looking to invest in sustainable, durable building solutions They were also joined by Audrey McGarrell, communications manager for the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC), to provide information about solar-reflective "cool" roofs."

What exactly are “cool roofs” anyway? According to the Cool Roof Rating Council, cool roofing systems are designed to effectively reflect sunlight and cool itself without retaining absorbed heat. This effect leads to lower energy costs for the building or homeowner, and a much better impact on the environment. Audrey emphasized the benefits of investing in cool roofing materials for contractors. She shared, “Everybody wants a cooler, more comfortable home in the summer. And everybody's looking for ways to reduce their energy bills...[cool roofs are] low-hanging fruit in terms of a simple change that a homeowner can make, and having contractors be educated to answer questions about cool roofing is really important."

Melissa added to that point, emphasizing how metal roofing, as a great place to start with cool roofing materials, is a fantastic way for contractors to sell more. She explained, “Metal roofing and cool roofing, they're such a wonderful combination because it just so happens that metal, because of its innate properties, is a natural reflector. So, without having to do anything special, it has really high reflectance and emittance rates.” 

Metal’s natural capabilities, paired with a coating color of your choice, can make for not only an aesthetically pleasing roofing solution, but a sustainable one, too. As a larger share of the market continues to shift towards eco-conscious building practices, now is the time for contractors to lean into that marketing angle, offering metal roofing systems as the ideal solution for a greener tomorrow.  

Listen to the podcast to learn more about cool roofing and how Central States Manufacturing can help contractors meet the demand for cooler roofs!