RRCI Announces it's Design Parameters for a Field Weathering Study of Roof Coatings

The Reflective Roof Coatings Institute (RRCI) has announced its design parameters for a Field Weathering Study of Roof Coatings. This study will measure the impact of various factors on the loss of Solar Reflectance (SR) over time. With the growth of the use of highly reflective white roof coatings, which are the primary means of turning all types of conventional dark roofs into cool roofs, RRCI felt the need to conduct this study to show the increased energy efficiency, the positive environmental impact and increased roof longevity that reflective roofs provide.

Factors included in the study will include various roof substrates, film thickness of coating applied to the substrate, different coating chemistries and climate. Three reflective coating chemistries (Acrylic, Polyurethane, Silicone) that have been applied over six of the most common roof substrates, at three film thicknesses, will be the focus of the study. Each of the tests on these substrates will have controls that will provide objective data. The test roofs will be located in three distinct climates: arid southwest; humid southeast and colder upper Midwest. The study will commence in early 2007 and continue for a period of three years with analysis occurring at specified intervals. This will be the first substantive study of the roofing industry to measure the relative significance of factors that influence loss in Solar Reflectance over time.