The Metal Roofing Alliance Blog

Metal Roofing Reduces Heat and Cooling Costs

2009-11-20T12:01:00.000-08:00

MRA recently participated in the Green Build International Conference and Expo, demonstrating the eco-benefits of metal roofing (see photo).

Tests conducted by the independent Oak Ridge National Laboratories (ORNL) indicate that a cool metal roof can save a homeowner up to 25% in cooling costs compared to a dark-gray asphalt shingle.

ORNL’s field tests have shown that the combination of venting and increased reflectance can reduce the heat penetrating the roof deck by about 45 percent for stone-coated metal roofs compared to an asphalt shingle roof in certain climates. Ongoing research with standing-seam cool-colored metal roofs is showing similar results.

Is that a car on your roof?

2009-11-13T05:51:00.000-08:00

Did you know that an old car, dishwasher or refrigerator can be recycled to re-roof a home? It's true -- all steel roofs contain a minimum of 25% recycled content, and many have a much higher percentage.

According to Bill Hippard, President of Metal Roofing Alliance, "At the end of its useful life, metal roofing is 100 percent recyclable -- other roofing materials are routinely removed and disposed of by the ton in landfills."

So, choose a new metal roof, and you may even have a little bit of your dream car, too.

All Metal Roofs are "Green"

2009-10-29T11:05:00.000-07:00

Metal roofs allow for an infinite number of color choices - from the traditional brown, black and gray to the more unique, red, green or even pink. No matter the color, all metal roofs offer numerous environmental benefits. See video below for more details:

If you'd like to share this information on your blog, feel free to visit MRA's YouTube page for easy downloading instructions.

Blog Cabins

2009-10-16T08:30:00.000-07:00

Did you know that 2 of the last 3 "Blog Cabins" featured on the DIY Network featured a metal roof?

For more details, See: 2007 Project

2008 Project

You can watch the video here - including the durability test the build team devised -shooting a potato at the roof panels, which held up beautifully!

You'll soon have a chance to vote for the roof for the 2010 project - stay tuned - we want to see another metal roof!

Why Choose Metal? Video Series on YouTube

2009-10-07T11:04:00.000-07:00

MRA has posted several new short videos regarding the benefits of metal roofing on YouTube. Feel free to share them with friends, or add to your blog, it's easy!

Trends in Roofing

2009-09-24T11:29:00.000-07:00

Check out this new article on roofing trends, with an emphasis on metal roofing:

Cedar Rapids 10

MRA members agree: white roofs aren't the only way

2009-09-18T04:08:00.000-07:00

Thomas McKay, representing MRA member PPG, sent the following letter regarding white roofs to Dr. Chu. Nicely done, Tom!

August 31, 2009

The Honorable Steven Chu
Secretary of Energy
U.S. Department of Energy

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I am writing on behalf of PPG Industries to respond to your suggestion that Americans use white roofs on their homes and buildings. While that would certainly save energy and help ease global warming, as you suggest, there is no need to limit roof color choices, particularly if the homeowner or building owner is planning to install a metal roof.

Thanks to a new generation of coatings that reflect the sun’s infrared (heat) energy, architects, building owners and homeowners can now select from a wide range of climate-appropriate metal roof colors, including medium and dark tones, without significantly sacrificing the energy performance associated with white roofs.

According to Solar Reflectance Values (SRV) published by the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC), PPG has several colors, including dark evergreen, slate grey and terra cotta red, that are considered “cool” for steep-sloped roofs, according to ENERGY STAR, the CRRC and U.S. Green Building Council. PPG also makes several light-toned colors that meet the criteria for low-sloped or flat roofs.

The color issue is especially important for steep-sloped roofs, which are used most often for residential buildings, where color and design are paramount. Low-sloped roofs are more common to commercial buildings. Since they are rarely seen by the public, there is limited need to provide additional color.

Here’s another important thing to consider: When comparing the SRV of a white roof against that of a dark color, the solar reflectance for the white roof will always be higher (and in some cases, much higher). However, when the heat flux (the amount of energy migrating into a building that must be removed by air conditioning) between the two roofs is measured, the difference is not proportional to their respective SRVs. If you’d like, I can provide a case study by the Florida Solar Energy Center that effectively demonstrates this phenomena.

In addition to color selection and the sustainability of their coatings, metal roofs have a number of critical environmental advantages over competing roofing materials. For instance, metal roofs are completely recyclable at the end of their useful life, which means they can be remade for other applications after their initial service as a roof is over.

Metal roofs also last longer than other materials, such as asphalt shingles, EPDM, TPO and built-up roofs, which are susceptible to cracking caused by temperature-driven expansion and contraction. This durability also enables metal roofs to maintain their original solar reflectance longer than other products because they more readily shed dirt, leaves and other organic materials.

Finally, metal roofs are less expensive and energy-intensive to transport than concrete, cement and clay tiles, which can weigh several hundred pounds or more per square. (Metal roofs weigh about 75 pounds per square.)

As you know, choice and individuality are among the values Americans cherish most. PPG and the roofing industry as a whole are working to give customers the color choice and the energy performance they demand while promoting a healthier, more sustainable planet.

Sincerely,

Thomas McKay
Product Manager
PPG Industries, Inc.

Why Choose a Metal Roof?

2009-08-25T09:41:00.000-07:00

A recent MRA survey revealed the many reasons homeowners are choosing investment grade roof.

This study supports data from The Remodeling Market in Transition, the latest report from Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, that found “in today’s uncertain economic environment, owners are likely to focus remodeling spending on projects that improve the energy efficiency of homes, generate cost savings, and maintain structural integrity.”

Metal roofing does all three!

Roofing Choices Save Energy

2009-07-22T14:27:00.000-07:00

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chu's still talking about white roofs. A white roof is a good idea, but a highly reflective metal roof is even better. New technologies allow even darker colored metal roofs to absorb less heat through the use of highly reflective pigments that reflect solar energy.

Tom Black, executive director of the non-profit Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA)comments: “We applaud Dr. Chu’s intent, however in reality; white roofs aren’t feasible for most homeowners. Curb appeal rules. The good news is that highly reflective residential metal roofing is available in a wide variety of styles and colors to suit any home.” For more info, visit www.metalroofing.com

White Roofs Concern Homeowners

2009-08-13T09:36:00.000-07:00

Sure, painting your roof white could reduce your cooling costs, but what will the neighbors say? And what happens in the winter, when additional heat is needed inside your home?

Highly reflective “cool” colored metal roofs look just like traditional roofs, and provide year-round relief from high energy costs. The pigments in a darker colored cool metal roof reflect solar heat gain instead of absorbing it, achieving the benefits of a lighter colored roof without looking like a “spotlight,” causing neighborhood alarm.

“We’ve heard from many consumers who report that a white roof just won’t work in their community. Curb appeal rules, and a white roof is just not appropriate in many cases,” said Bill Hippard, president of the non-profit Metal Roofing Alliance. “Rather than hear complaints from neighbors, many homeowners looking to reduce year-round energy costs are choosing darker colored, yet highly reflective, metal roofs.”

For more info:

MRA
Cool Metal Roofing Coalition
Oak Ridge National Laboratories

Yep, It's Metal

2009-06-23T11:14:00.000-07:00

Many people have misconceptions about what a metal roof looks like. In fact, many of your neighbors may have investment grade metal roofs protecting their homes, and you don't even know that it's there. That's because metal roofs are available in a wide variety of styles that will fit in to any neighborhood.

Here are a few examples of modern metal roofs. If you'd like to see more, please visit the MRA photo gallery. You'll also find metal roofing photos on Flickr.

All Hail the Metal Roof

2009-06-12T08:07:00.000-07:00

Many homeowners looking for eco-friendly solutions have discovered that metal roofs can protect homes from many extreme weather events while reducing their carbon footprint.

For example, hailstorms can result in widespread damage to homes. In a major hailstorm, the roof literally takes a beating. Hail can break, split and cause tear-off damage to traditional roofing materials, resulting in big repair or replacement costs.

“Most of the damage to a traditional roof in a hailstorm is caused by water damage to the contents of the house when shingles are fractured,” said Tom Black, Executive Director of the Metal Roofing Alliance. “Once a roof has a crack, water can stream into the home, damaging the structure and its contents. Water damage can lead to mold and serious repair bills.”

Metal roofs are naturally very tough and highly resistant to hail damage. Hail will not penetrate a metal roof. Even a new asphalt shingle roof won’t protect a home from the next hail storm. In fact, many metal roofing products have the highest impact resistance and hail rating granted by Underwriters’ Laboratory (UL), a leading product safety testing and certification organization.
The majority of metal roofing earns a UL2218 Class 4 rating, meaning that a sample of the product did not crack when hit twice in the same spot by a 2-inch steel ball, which, in a storm, would translate into a huge hailstone.

As a result of metal roofing’s superior performance in hail prone areas, some insurance companies even provide a reduced rate for homes protected by metal roofs.

For more information, visit the Metal Roofing Alliance.

Do I Need a White Roof?

2009-05-29T10:14:00.000-07:00

This week , the U.S. Secretary of Energy encouraged Americans to paint their roofs white, in an effort to reduce global warming by both conserving energy and reflecting sunlight back into space. Speaking in London prior to an international summit on combating climate change, Dr. Chu said that the simple act of painting roofs white could have a dramatic impact on the amount of energy used to keep buildings comfortable.

A white roof is a good idea, but a highly reflective metal roof is even better. New technologies allow even darker colored metal roofs to absorb less heat through the use of highly reflective pigments that reflect solar energy.

“The EPA reports that $40 billion is spent annually in the United States to cool buildings. That’s an extraordinary amount of money,” states Tom Black, executive director of the non-profit Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA). “We applaud Dr. Chu’s intent, however in reality; white roofs aren’t feasible for most homeowners. Curb appeal rules. The good news is that highly reflective residential metal roofing is available in a wide variety of styles and colors to suit any home.”

The MRA was formed to answer homeowners and contractors’ questions about residential metal roofing, including their energy benefits and environmental impact. For more information, visit http://www.metalroofing.com/

Spring Cleaning - Start at the Top!

2009-03-13T04:53:00.000-07:00

Did you know that part of your spring cleaning ritual should include checking out your roof? The winter months are tough on roofs, and missing or cracked roofing shingles can mean leaks and expensive repairs. That is, unless you have an eco-friendly metal roof. Metal roofs resist cracking, shrinking and eroding and stand up to hail, high winds, snow and wildfires.

Today’s metal roofing is available in a wide variety of styles and colors to complement any neighborhood. These time-tested roofs also save energy and can help to save the environment.

Check out the links for more information.

Save Money, Save the Planet

2009-03-30T07:38:00.000-07:00

Want to save money while doing your part for the environment? You can do both when you install a new metal roof.

As a result of the recently-passed stimulus package, homeowners who make energy efficient updates to their home, including the installation of a painted or coated Energy Star® labeled metal roof, may be eligible for a tax credit worth 30% of the purchase price less installation costs, up to $1,500 per home!

To qualify, the metal roof must be installed between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010.

In addition to earning a tax credit, Energy Star-labeled metal roofs keep homes cooler in summer and warmer in winter, resulting in lower utility costs.

For more information: http://www.metalroofing.com/v2/content/guide/costs/energy-tax-incentive.cfm.

Preventing the Spread of Forest Fires

2009-05-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

Along with clearing brush and debris away from a home, installing a metal roof is one of the best proactive steps that homeowners can take to reduce the chance of a house being destroyed by fire, and restrict a fire’s ability to spread.

Recent wildfires in California burned destroyed 78 homes, with an estimated cost of at least $120 million in damages.

Most forest fires decimate residential communities through burning pine needles and other debris blown from roof to roof. More conventional roofs, such as wood shake or asphalt (a petroleum-based product), catch fire relatively easily and the home subsequently burns to the ground. With a metal roof, however, those same homes could be saved.

Today’s metal roofs are available in many colors and styles, ranging from shake to shingle to Spanish tile. As a result, these highly durable roofs that resist fires and save energy are also perfect for any neighborhood.

For more information on wildfire prevention, and a home checklist, visit the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention.