Reading Cool Roof Product Labels

To help consumers compare the cool aspects of roof materials and coatings, the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) manages a system for independently evaluating and documenting their properties. Roof products that are tested to CRRC methods receive a performance label, Figure 4, showing the measured solar reflectance and thermal emittance values.

NOTE: Any roofing product that is tested by a CRRC accredited laboratory can be listed in the CRRC directory. Being listed does not imply that a product is cool.

Because roof material surface properties can change over time due to soiling and weathering, values are measured and reported for both initial and three-year weathered conditions. The label in Figure 4 shows this product’s solar reflectance has dropped from 0.87 to 0.77 after three years. Most weathering or soiling occurs during the first year or two, and then values tend to stabilize. Tested product data are published online by the CRRC.