Coatings

Cool roofs deflect some desired heat gain during the winter. In general, though, cool roofs result in net energy savings, especially in areas where electricity prices are high.

Although costs will vary greatly depending on location and local circumstances, cool roof coatings on a low-slope roof might cost $0.75–$1.50 per square foot, while single-ply cool roof membrane costs vary from $1.50–$3.00 per square foot. The cost premium for cool roofs versus conventional roofing materials ranges from zero to 5 or 10 cents per square foot for most products, or from 10–20 cents for a built-up roof with a cool coating used in place of smooth asphalt or aluminum coating.

A California study found that cool roofs provide an average yearly net savings of almost 50 cents per square foot. This number includes the price premium for cool roofing products and increased heating costs in the winter as well as summertime energy savings, savings from downsizing cooling equipment, and reduced labor and material costs over time due to the longer life of cool roofs compared with conventional roofs.

Federal tax credits are available for ENERGY STAR qualified metal roofs and reflective asphalt shingles that are installed on existing homes. For details, please visit ENERGY STAR’s Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency page.

Types of Buildings Subject to Cool Roof Requirements

• Group A – Assembly 
  Building or structure, or portion thereof, for the gathering of 50 or more persons for purposes such as civic, scial, or religious functions, recreation, instruction, food or drink consumption, or awaiting transportation. Examples: restaurants, arenas, churches, theaters. 
• Group B – Business 
  Building or structure, or portioned thereof, for office, professional or service-type transactions; includes storage of records and accounts and restaurants with occupant load less than 50. Examples: animal hospitals, kennels, automobile showrooms, banks, barber shops, outpatient clinic and medical offices, educational occupancies above the 12th grade, fire stations, florists and nurseries, testing and research labs, print shops, radio and TV stations. 
• Group E – Educational (through 12th grade) 
  Building or structure, or portion thereof, for educational purposes through 12th grade for more than 12 hours per week or 4 hours in any one day. Examples: schools, nonresidential buildings used for daycare for more than six children, residential buildings used as daycare for more than 14 persons. 
• Group F – Factory (low and moderate hazard) 
  Building or structure, or portion thereof, for fabricating, manufacturing, packaging, processing, etc. Examples: furniture manufacturing, bakeries, food processing plants, paper mills, printing or publishing facilities, refuse incineration, shoe factories, dry cleaning facilities. 
• Group H – Hazardous facilities 
  Building or structure, or portion thereof, that involves the manufacturing, processing, generation or storage of materials that constitute a high fire, explosion, or health hazard. Examples: manufacturing plants for explosives, blasting agents, fireworks, flammable gases; storage facilities for such products. 
• Group M – Mercantile (sale of merchandise) 
  Building or structure, or portion thereof, for the display and sale of merchandise. Examples: department stores, shopping centers, wholesale and retail stores, markets. 
• Group S – Storage facilities 
  Building or structure, or portion thereof, for storage not classified as a hazardous occupancy. Examples: storage of beer or wine in metal, glass, or ceramic containers, of cement in bags, of foods in noncombustible containers, of gypsum board, of stoves, washers, and dryers. 
• Group U – Utility facilities 
  Private garages, carports, sheds, agricultural buildings, and towers