McIntyre has played a pivotal role in shaping and advancing the organization’s expansion into rating exterior wall products.

The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) is pleased to announce that Dale McIntyre has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Marty Hastings Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership and lasting contributions to the CRRC Wall Product Rating Program (Wall Program). The award was presented to McIntyre at the CRRC Annual Conference on June 16-18, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.

Since joining the Wall Rating Program Steering Committee in 2019, McIntyre has played a pivotal role in shaping and advancing the organization’s expansion into rating exterior wall products. He helped develop the business case for the Wall Program and served as chair of the Wall Rating Program Committee (WRPC) from 2020 to 2025. He continues to serve as a voting member on this committee. During his time at Behr Paint Company, Dale led Behr’s participation as a Wall Program founding member and licensee, supported the development of testing protocols for architectural coatings and championed the Wall Program through education and outreach to industry. He also serves on the CRRC Education Committee (EduC) (2021-2025, Feb. 2026 - present) and served as an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors (2020-2025). After departing from Behr in 2025, Dale continued his involvement with the CRRC as a general interest member and was reappointed to the WRPC and EduC in February 2026.

In all of his volunteer roles with the CRRC, McIntyre “consistently provides thoughtful guidance and support to his fellow committee and board members, as well as CRRC staff,” according to his confidential nominator. “Given his tremendous support and contributions to the CRRC over the past 7 years, Dale should be honored as this year's recipient of the Marty Hastings Award.”

As part of this prestigious award, the CRRC has made a donation in McIntyre’s name to the Cool Schools Project in Sonora, Mexico. The project is aimed at expanding the use of cool surfaces and passive cooling solutions to protect students in public schools that are located in heat-vulnerable communities. It is a partnership between Climate Resolve and the Mexican National System for the Integral Protection of Children and Adolescents (SIPINNA). The Mexican state of Sonora was prioritized because it has the greatest health impacts from extreme heat.

The Marty Hastings Award was created in honor of the longtime board member, treasurer and technical committee member who passed away in 2011. Hastings contributed greatly to the CRRC and is fondly remembered for his upbeat attitude, enthusiasm and sense of humor. To commemorate Hastings’ contributions to the organization, the CRRC created this annual award presented to a volunteer who has made outstanding contributions to the CRRC. Nominations for the award are solicited from the CRRC Membership, and the recipient is selected by a Board-level committee. The award includes a $500 donation made in the recipient’s name to a charitable organization of their choice. Visit coolroofs.org to learn about past award recipients.

About CRRC

The CRRC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that develops fair, accurate and credible methods for evaluating and labeling the radiative properties of roofing and exterior wall products. The CRRC’s mission is to bring objective, scientific information related to cool surfaces to critical discussions and informed decisions about the impacts of heat islands, extreme heat and energy use in the built environment. Please contact the CRRC at info@coolroofs.org or (866) 465-2523 for more information on its programs.

Date: June 16-18 | Location: Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk

The 2026 CRRC Annual Conference will be held on June 16-18 at the Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk in San Antonio, TX!

The CRRC Annual Meeting has officially been renamed the CRRC Annual Conference. The event’s new branding reflects the transition to a three-day event that we piloted in 2024 and 2025 and our aim to make this the premier gathering of professionals engaged in the cool surfaces arena.

The conference will include the CRRC Member Meeting (June 16), Technical Committee and Education Committee meetings (June 17), and a Board of Directors (Board) meeting (June 18). One ticket grants access to all three days. As in years past, the Member Meeting will feature organizational updates, the Board election, presentation of the Marty Hastings Award, expert guest presentations and a complimentary cocktail reception. As we embrace the theme of COOL CONNECTIONS, the Member Meeting will also feature a new interactive breakout session to foster deeper conversations around the CRRC’s activities.

Register for the show today!

Become a sponsor.

By Anna Lockhart.  

Do you know the best way to save on home renovations or roofing projects? Here’s how! 

No matter the time of year, there’s one thing that is always at the top of mind for homeowners – how will certain purchases impact my taxes? And with that worry comes a wave of follow up decisions: navigating whether to invest in home improvement projects, which design choices will offer the best value in the long run and so on. Knowing that the pressure to make the right choice for your finances can be overwhelming, Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) offers a comprehensive look at everything you need to know when it comes to tax breaks, rebates and incentives.  

Federal programs are a great place to start when navigating roofing upgrades or replacements, and how it can impact your financial planning. Select roofing upgrades can grant homeowners benefits, especially if the roofing option is an energy-efficient material, for example.  

The MRA points to the Federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit as a valuable opportunity to explore. In 2026, homeowners can claim back up to 30% of the cost of qualifying metal roofing materials (limitations do apply). Not only that, but based on the state homeowners reside in, they could gain further assistance and credit back for choosing energy efficient materials. Most notably, states like Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Texas, Oregon and Washington prioritize energy-efficient and eco-conscious roofing choices and understanding what your state offers can make a difference.  

Further, understanding the ins and outs of tax exemptions and how your project might quality is key to getting the most out of your purchases and investments. Is the roof for your primary residence? Will the roof you’re considering be ENERGY STAR® or Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) certified? Does the installation timeline meet tax deadlines? The answer to these questions can help refine your options and provide a clearer picture at how much you stand to gain or lose financially based on different materials.  

The MRA is dedicated to providing homeowners with the tools they need to succeed in installing and navigating metal roofing materials. And when it comes to your finances, metal roofing is an option that often pays back tenfold over the course of its lifespan. But when it comes to immediate payoff, there’s options to consider.  

Read the original article to learn more about your financial options!

The Cool Surfaces Toolkit is designed to make trusted, science-based information on cool roofs, walls and pavements more accessible to a broad range of audiences. 

The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) has released a new Cool Surfaces Toolkit microsite featuring informational resources about solar-reflective “cool” roofs, exterior walls and pavements. The Cool Surfaces Toolkit is accessible at coolrooftoolkit.org.

The purpose of the toolkit site is to provide a collection of educational content for members of the general public and practitioners such as architecture and design professionals; policy and program developers; roofing and construction contractors; teachers and educators; and more. It offers streamlined access to educational briefs, videos, courses and other publications separate from the CRRC’s primary website, coolroofs.org. It also includes a blog and hosts A Practical Guide to Cool Roofs and Cool Pavements: Primer, which was developed by the Global Cool Cities Alliance to provide detailed guidance on the use of cool roof and pavement materials.

A standout feature of the site is the Cool Surfaces Knowledge Base, a repository for cool surfaces and heat island information from around the world. The knowledge base catalogues over 600 peer-reviewed research and technical studies; codes, standards, policies and laws; government reports; case studies and demonstration projects; and sample program documents and implementation frameworks. It is updated regularly to include new publications. The knowledge base is searchable and can be filtered by a variety of criteria, including open access availability.

“Our hope for the microsite is that it opens doors for more audiences to utilize and benefit from the CRRC’s extensive collection of scientifically supported educational resources. There is something for everyone who has an interest in cool surfaces, whether they are a teacher looking for classroom materials, a policymaker in need of answers or a seasoned design professional,” says CRRC Communications Manager Audrey McGarrell. According to Kurt Shickman, chair of the CRRC Education Committee and ex-officio CRRC board member, “The CRRC draws on experts from across industry and academia to produce high-quality, balanced and accurate educational materials. The new microsite is a fantastic and intuitive way to find all of that knowledge and insight.”

The Cool Surfaces Toolkit is designed to make trusted, science-based information on cool roofs, walls and pavements more accessible to a broad range of audiences. Additional materials and updates will continue to be added over time as they become available. The site is now publicly available at coolrooftoolkit.org.

About CRRC

The CRRC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that develops fair, accurate and credible methods for evaluating and labeling the radiative properties of roofing and exterior wall products. The CRRC’s mission is to bring objective, scientific information related to cool surfaces to critical discussions and informed decisions about the impacts of heat islands, extreme heat and energy use in the built environment. Please contact the CRRC at info@coolroofs.org or (866) 465-2523 for more information on its programs.

By Dani Sheehan. 

Understand how resilience, energy efficiency and long-term value are reshaping roofing conversations. 

From increasingly destructive hailstorms and hurricane-force winds to rising insurance premiums, higher energy costs and evolving building standards, homeowners and property owners are rethinking what role their roof plays in performance, longevity and resilience. As a result, owners are exploring roofing systems designed to perform in more demanding environmental conditions. Among those alternatives, metal roofing continues to gain momentum. While asphalt still covers nearly 80% of residential roofs in the United States, industry experts project the residential metal roofing market will continue growing by more than 4% annually in the years ahead.   

By understanding the forces reshaping the market and how to position metal roofing within that conversation, you can grow your business to meet changing customer expectations, differentiate your offerings and build a more resilient business long-term.  

Why the market is changing  

Metal roofing’s growth is the result of multiple market forces converging at once, which has reshaped how homeowners, insurers, builders and policymakers think about roofing performance.  

1 – Severe weather is changing customer priorities  

Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, more costly and more destructive across the United States. In fact, the U.S. has experienced nearly six times more billion-dollar severe storms over the last 20 years compared to the previous two decades, with annual losses climbing from approximately $2.5 billion to more than $15 billion.  

In hail-prone regions, more than 12 million U.S. properties are now considered at high risk for hail damage, while coastal and inland wind events continue pushing homeowners to seek roofing systems designed for greater resilience.   

2 – Insurance incentives are driving material decisions  

More than one-quarter of residential insurance claims paid in 2024 were related to roof repair or replacement, driving insurers to look for building materials that reduce long-term risk. As insurers continue investing in resilience through organizations like the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), more homeowners are gaining access to premium discounts, grant programs and incentive programs tied to impact-resistant, storm-resilient roofing systems. Depending on the insurer and state, these incentives can range from 5% to 55% off insurance premiums.  

Programs like the FORTIFIED Roof, an initiative of IBHS and now active in all 50 states, are further accelerating demand for roofing systems that can meet stricter performance standards. More than 80,000 homes have already received FORTIFIED certification nationwide.  

3 – Energy costs are changing the ROI conversation  

As residential electricity costs continue trending upward – up roughly 6-7% year over year in late 2025 and early 2026 – homeowners are paying closer attention to how building materials impact long-term operating costs.  

This is creating new interest in roofing systems that support energy efficiency, reduce heat gain and improve year-round comfort. Metal roofing’s reflective properties, cool roof compatibility and long service life are helping shift roofing conversations from upfront costs to lifecycle return on investment.  

4 – Building codes and sustainability expectations are growing  

State legislation, insurance reform and climate-focused building initiatives are beginning to influence how roofs are designed, installed and specified. As communities look for ways to reduce disaster recovery costs, improve wildfire mitigation and support energy-efficient construction, more resilient roofing systems are gaining traction. Metal roofing’s recycled content, full recyclability and solar-ready compatibility position it well within this evolving regulatory and consumer landscape.  

Why homeowners are choosing metal roofing  

While curb appeal and upfront cost still matter, more property owners are weighing long-term durability, energy performance, maintenance needs and resilience against severe weather when making roofing decisions. This creates an opportunity to position metal roofing not simply as an alternative product, but as a long-term solution designed to meet evolving homeowner priorities.  

1 – Built for severe weather  

Many metal roofing systems are engineered to withstand wind speeds exceeding 140 miles per hour through interlocking panel designs and mechanically fastened installation methods. In hail-prone areas, many products achieve a UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating, the highest impact-resistance classification available. This testing evaluates a roof system’s ability to withstand repeated impacts without failure.  

Metal roofing also performs well in regions with heavy snow accumulation. The strength of steel panels allows many systems to withstand substantial snow loads while encouraging controlled snow shedding when properly designed with snow retention systems.  

In wildfire-prone regions, metal roofing systems often carry a Class A fire rating because metal is naturally non-combustible. These systems are designed to resist flame exposure, including sparks and flying embers, and can help support broader fire-resilient building strategies.  

Coastal environments create another challenge for roofing systems due to salt exposure and corrosion concerns. In these markets, protective paint systems and coatings become especially important. Choosing the right substrate, finish and coating system helps ensure long-term durability and appearance retention in harsh environments.  

2 – Energy efficiency matters  

Metal roofing naturally reflects solar radiation and releases absorbed heat more efficiently than many traditional roofing materials. This helps reduce heat transfer into the building and can lower cooling demand during periods of peak energy use.  

Cool roof technology is becoming increasingly important in both residential and commercial construction. According to resources from the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC), roofing systems with higher solar reflectance and thermal emittance can help reduce heat gain, improve indoor comfort and contribute to lower cooling loads.  

• Solar reflectance measures how much sunlight a surface reflects.  
• Thermal emittance measures how effectively a material releases absorbed heat.  
• Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) combines both measurements into a standardized metric used to compare roofing performance.  

Steel roofing panels with reflective coatings can achieve strong solar reflectance values while allowing heat to dissipate efficiently.  

3 – Long-term performance and sustainability  

While traditional roofing materials may require replacement multiple times over the lifespan of a home, metal roofing systems are often designed to last 40–70 years with proper installation and require relatively low ongoing maintenance. The extended service life reduces long-term replacement costs, minimizes disruption and decreases landfill waste associated with tear-offs and disposal.  

For homeowners considering solar installation, metal roofing can be an ideal long-term pairing. Because the roof system is designed to last for decades, homeowners are less likely to face the cost and complication of removing and reinstalling solar panels for a roof replacement midway through the solar system’s life cycle. 

Moving forward 

As market expectations continue evolving, contractors are being asked to deliver systems that offer resilience, long-term value, energy performance and peace of mind. By understanding these changing priorities and educating customers effectively, metal roofing represents an opportunity to build stronger customer relationships and position your business for long-term growth. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Discover why metal roofing is leading the market when it comes to cool roofing solutions.  

Finding success in a competitive industry like roofing is all about differentiating yourself and knowing what your customers want. And right now, some of the primary concerns for home and business owners are rising temperatures and energy costs. To learn how you can help solve this issue for your clients, we hosted Melissa Dunson, director of marketing at Central States Manufacturing, and Audrey McGarrell, communications manager for Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC), for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. 

Cool roofs are the solution 

So, what can you do to address rising energy costs and increasing environmental temperatures? The answer is simple: Cool roofing. At its core, cool roofing is all about reflectance. A cool roof is one that reflects more sunlight, and therefore absorbs less thermal energy than your typical roof.  

The result of higher reflectance? Audrey explained, “By fundamentally keeping the building cooler, you are reducing demand for air conditioning, which can lead to a chain reaction that goes as far as reducing your carbon footprint and your energy bill.” Melissa added to Audrey’s point, sharing, “There are estimates that a cool roof can lead to as much as 20% of savings on the energy bill, which is huge, especially if you live in a part of the country where it is significantly hot during a significant part of the day, like Texas, Arizona, California, Florida.” 

Sourcing cool roofing 

When it comes to finding the right cool roofing products for specific projects, a great place to start is with CRRC’s Rated Roof Products Directory. Audrey shared a bit about it:  

We are a completely independent third party and work with accredited independent testing laboratories to test roofing and exterior wall materials for solar reflectance and thermal emittance. Once we’ve done our testing, we review the data and publish an initial rating. It’s called that because we also send product specimens to three different test farms across the United States where they are mounted and exposed to the natural elements and left untouched for three years. After those three years, we test them again and give them an aged rating. 

This aged rating truly takes the Rated Roof Products Directory to another level. Melissa spoke about why having both the initial and aged is so important, explaining, “The age testing is key because people don't get a roof for just three years. Roofs are an investment and how it performs on year ten is equally as important as its performance on day one.”  

Cool metal roofs are the future 

Based on data from this aged testing, metal roofing has emerged as a great option for a cool roof. Melissa explained:  

One of the things that we found about metal is it performs year after year in very strong way. That’s one of the reasons that metal has such long warranties...It also has innate properties that give it higher reflectance and emittance rates than tile, asphalt or other materials. So, add special cool roofing paints to it and it's even more reflective. So metal is really a natural fit if people are looking for a long-lasting, durable, cool roof. 

Listen to the whole episode to learn more about getting high-performance, cool metal roofs.

By The Cool Roof Rating Council.

Stacey Weister's reflection on volunteering with the SMART Girls Program.

In July 2025, Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) Senior Technical Manager Stacey Weister had the opportunity to serve as a mentor for the SMART Girls program at the Boys and Girls Club of Massillon, Ohio. She shared about her career journey and led the girls in completing the CRRC Cool Surfaces Lesson Plan. Below, Stacey shares her reflections on the experience.

Sharing my career journey — a path from the factory floor to a senior technical role — taught me that the best lessons in life are the ones you both teach and learn. This past July, I had the opportunity to mentor for the SMART Girls Program at the Boys and Girls Club of Massillon, Ohio. This social-emotional learning initiative is designed to boost confidence and encourage healthy lifestyles among young women. I felt privileged to serve as a female role model for them for the day.

My main goal was to inspire these young women by sharing my unconventional career journey: From factory worker to mother, college graduate and ultimately the senior technical manager at the CRRC. I highlighted the importance of passion and perseverance, encouraging them to aim high and never give up, even in male-dominated fields.

To help the girls better understand the CRRC's work, I presented our Cool Surfaces Lesson Plan. We conducted an experiment to learn how a building’s surface properties can impact indoor temperatures, and we discussed how cool surfaces, such as cool roofs and cool exterior walls, can help combat the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Seven groups of girls ranging in age from first graders to high school seniors were genuinely engaged. Their insightful questions and contagious enthusiasm showed me just how ready the next generation is to tackle important issues and create a more sustainable future.

I went in hoping to inspire them, but I left with something even more meaningful. After a day of connection, learning and sharing, I was overwhelmed by their heartfelt thanks and hugs. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of mentorship. These bright, passionate, and determined young women inspired me just as much as I hoped to inspire them. This experience strengthened my belief in the value of mentorship and the importance of demonstrating to young girls what they can achieve. It's a day I will always treasure.

Inspiring leadership stories, meaningful education, hands-on training and a powerful sense of community made NWIR Days 2026 an event to remember. 

Editor’s note: The following is a transcript of a conversation between the Coffee Shop crew about NWIR Days 2026. 

Karen Edwards: National Women in Roofing 2026 just ended, and it was an amazing day. It was a great event. I think one of my favorite parts about the day was the opening session where the four co-founders, Jennifer Ford Smith, Jenny Stone, Shari Carlozzi and Heidi J. Ellsworth shared the story of how the organization started and what they had to do to get things off the ground. And I would say probably 20% of the room were first timers, and so these are folks who've never heard that before, because they haven't been here the whole time. And the reason that that was the morning session was because National Women in Roofing is celebrating their 10-year anniversary since becoming incorporated as a 501 c6 in 2016, so it was amazing to see where it started and where it is now. And they really, really made the event great.  

You know it was interesting and exciting because it went by real fast. Another thing that I really enjoyed was Megan led a panel on building loyalty with your employees, and it was about how to help working parents and how you can support them and how you can make it easier for them. And that was a panel that had Jenny Stone, Cool Roof Rating Council’s Jeff Steuben and Kyra Coker from National Roofing Partners. And you know, we have a lot of young folks here that are becoming parents for the first time. And so understanding what are some things that we can do to support it was really valuable.  

And then, of course, the Skills Lab. You get to see the products, you get to try stuff out, you get to try welding. It was just a really, really well-rounded day. And you know, thank you to Christee Roberson for her leadership. And we're looking forward to Christine Mockenhaupt taking the reins for 2026. 

Lauren White: I agree, the day went by really quick. As for the breakout sessions, there were fewer of them, but they were longer, which was really nice because people could really get into having a conversation, asking questions, getting good advice and feedback from everybody else in the room. Last year it sometimes felt like we were rushed to get to the next session, but not this year.  

We had the awards during lunch. It was really fun to celebrate the Rising Stars and the WORLD Award winners. They did Council Awards again this year, and the councils are doing some really incredible things. And the WORLD Award winner for this year is Michelle Ly with Hallmark Roofing in Austin, Texas, and the Rising Star Award is Liz Garza with SRS Distribution, which was really fun to celebrate them.  

We had a really fun time at the Skills Lab. Dani and I did some heat welding and some pull tests. We write about all these companies and materials and products, and it was really fun to just feel them and touch them and work with them.  

Dani Sheehan: I agree. It was really well planned out. I really appreciated having the awards during lunch and being able to network through that and then also having the break in between sessions, just getting us up and moving was really great.  

I also think the Skills Lab was my favorite part. Just having so many hands-on demonstrations, the QXO challenge during the networking break was really fun to watch, and I think we were able to capture some great videoto see who could put down the ISO board the fastest. So that was really cool to see.  

And just again, being in this room where women are building each other up, and there's not competition, and we're just all here together, learning about roofing, being in this industry, creating this community. I lovedgetting to meet Kim with Division 7 Roofing and hang out with her. Mandy's session at the end was a great way to close everything out. Her session, Speaking Up, To Show Up: Building Confidence in Work and Life, was so great and it was great to feel the energy in that room. And I think she just helped us all get rid of that imposter syndrome that we all feel in the workplace.  

Camden Bennett: This is my first NWIR Day, and going into IRE it was really fun to see how much energy all the women exuded here, and how, even though some of our companies might be competitors, everyone was very friendly, and clearly wanted to know what others had to say.  

My first session was, Roofing is Like a Sandwich, Understanding the Basics with Lynn Picone and Kimberly Santiago-Vega with GAF and I got to see some of the technical errors that people make, and how to remedy those, and how even little mistakes can cause huge problems with roofing and can be quite costly, and then how to avoid those in the future. The Skills Lab was also my favorite. It's fun to be able to use the things that we are writing about, posting or promoting. As for the Speak Up session, it was interesting to see what other people had to say and have some good discussion. It was eye opening. 

Jessica Bravo: I attended Roofing 101, Covering the Basics with GAF. It was really informative, and Kimberly and Lynn are very knowledgeable. And like everyone said, Skills Lab was my favorite, watching Camden use the nail gun was really fun. And we ended the breakout sessions with Speak Up and Show Up with Mandy. Connecting with the NWIR Latina Council, Conexión Hispana, was also great. 

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! 

By Emma Peterson. 

Explore the science, benefits and savings surrounding cool roofing. 

Editor’s note: Share this article with customers who are interested in cool roofing and the savings that come with it. 

Did you know that a traditional roof can reach temperatures upwards of 150°F on sunny summer afternoons? This type of heat and exposure not only can prematurely age the roof, but it also contributes to things like the urban heat island effect (when urban areas experience higher temperatures, greater pollution and negative health impacts during hot summer months due to the overwhelming presence of heat-absorptive surfaces like pavement and heat-generating activities like engines) and can raise the building's cooling costs! So, what can you do about this? Cool roof materials! 

What is a cool roof  

The United States Department of Energy reports that a “cool roof is designed to reflect more sunlight than a conventional roof, absorbing less solar energy, [and lowering the temperature by 50°F or more].” Lowering this temperature leads to a variety of benefits, both for the building owner and the environment around it. Benefits include: 

• Energy bill savings: By keeping the roof cooler, the entire building stays cooler. This helps reduce the air conditioning needs of the building and can save a lot of money over time.  
• Extend roof life: Extensive exposure to high temperatures can prematurely age a roof. By lowering the temperature a roof reaches, cool roofing can extend the lifespan of a roof. 
• Reduce urban heat island effect: Because the roof is absorbing less heat (ergo releasing less heat later) and instead reflecting it back out into the atmosphere, it lowers outside temperatures and can help offset climate issues.  
• Decrease pollution: Many air pollutants are temperature dependent and create a cooler atmosphere around it, cool roofs can actually slow the formation of smog! They also generally reduce the number of pollutants put into the environment as they lower the power plant energy consumption by reducing air condition usage. 

What does a cool roof look like? 

Cool roofs come in many different shapes and forms. Many are often lighter-colored, as that allows them to reflect more sunlight and subsequently heat. However, as “about half of sunlight arrives as invisible “near infrared” radiation... dark materials can use special pigments (colorants) that preferentially reflect this invisible light.” This innovation allows home and building owners to adopt cool roofing without sacrificing things like curb appeal. 

One of the best resources to work with to make a choice about cool roofing is the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC). They are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that “develops fair, accurate and credible methods for evaluating and labeling the radiative properties of roofing and exterior wall products.” Specifically, the rated roof products directory is a great resource to learn more about cool roofing materials and products.  

Installing a cool roof 

While cool roofing has many benefits, they can be a bit expensive. Oftentimes, that cost is offset but the long-term savings in reduced energy bills and extended roof lifespan, but it can be a lot up front. Luckily, there are a lot of programs that help make cool roofs affordable! A great example is the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) rebates for cool roof installations. These rebates offer “$0.20 to $0.80 per square foot for eligible cool roof installations” in order to make energy-efficiency more accessible.  

The rebates available to home and building owners depends on the state and city they live in, though there was a bill (H.R.2679) introduced in April 2025 called Cool Roof Rebate Act of 2025 that aims to “to direct the Secretary of Energy to establish and carry out a program to provide rebates for the purchase and installation of cool roof products.” However, as of the writing of this article, this bill is still being examined by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. In the meantime, here are some of the rebates to look into based on what state you’re in!  

• California: Cool roof rebate options are not limited to Los Angeles. There’s a statewide program called Energy Upgrade CA that offers rebates of up to $5,000 for eligible cool roofing materials that are installed alongside other energy efficient home upgrades. 
• Florida: Florida’s Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF) offers rebates of up to $5,000 for roofing materials that are certified with ENERGY STAR®. 
• New York: Like Florida, New York offers rebates based on the installation of ENERGY STAR® certified roofing products. This is part of the state’s NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) program. 
• Ohio: Home and business owners in Ohio can get interest rate reductions of loans for energy-efficient roofing through Ohio’s Eco-Link program. 
• Texas: The Texas Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is a powerful financial program that can provide a loan of up to 100% for energy efficiency and renewable energy retrofits.  
• Illinois: For residents of Illinois, they can apply for grants up to 50% of the installation cost through the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. 

In addition to state rebates and programs, many utility companies and roofing manufacturers offer their own rebates and incentives to encourage the use of cool roofing materials. A great example is residents of Colorado and Minnesota whose utility company is Xcel Energy, who can use “ENERGY STAR® certified roofing materials as part of their home energy efficiency programs.” As for manufacture incentives, companies like GAF, Owens Corning and CertainTeed have different promotions and rebates available. Overall, no matter where you are, cool roofs are a great option to not only help the environment and your community but also save some money and make your building more comfortable. 

Original image source: Cool Roof Rating Council