By The Coffee Shops™. 

See how a proven coating system can elevate your restoration projects without the upfront risk. 

General Coatings Manufacturing Corp is bringing back its popular giveaway to give contractors a risk-free way to put one of its top-performing EVERROOF® coatings to the test. Enter by May 1, 2026, for your chance to win five 5-gallon buckets of Ever-Silic HS and see how it performs on your own projects. 

A smarter way to evaluate your next coating system 

Switching or adding a new coating to your offerings can feel like a gamble. Application quirks, cure times and long-term performance all matter, and those details only really show up on the roof. 

Instead of relying solely on datasheets or secondhand recommendations, contractors get the opportunity to work directly with Ever-Silic HS in real-world conditions. Whether you use it for repairs, detailing or a full restoration, it’s a chance to evaluate performance directly on your jobsite. 

Built for the realities of today’s roofs 

Ever-Silic HS is designed to be both versatile and durable, making it a strong fit for the wide range of substrates contractors are seeing today, from aging single-ply systems to metal, SPF, BUR and modified bitumen. 

Its high-solids, single-component silicone formulation creates a seamless, flexible membrane that holds up under extreme conditions, from freezing cold to intense heat. The hydrophobic surface resists ponding water, while UV stability helps maintain long-term performance and reflectivity. 

For crews, it’s just as practical as it is durable. With strong adhesion, straightforward application and a quick recoat window of seven to ten days, it supports efficient project timelines without sacrificing quality. 

Ever-Silic HS also offers a balance of protection, energy efficiency and long-term reliability. It meets Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) guidelines and Title 24 requirements, making it a solid option for projects where performance and compliance go hand in hand. 

Don’t miss your chance 

If you’ve been considering expanding your coating offerings or simply want to put a proven system to the test, this is an opportunity worth taking. 

Enter the EVERROOF giveaway by May 1, 2026, for your chance to win five 5-gallon buckets of Ever-Silic HS and experience firsthand how it performs in the field.

Are you a roofing contractor or manufacturer who stands out in the marketplace because of your focus on sustainability? Would networking with professionals in the cool surfaces arena be beneficial to you?

The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) wants to hear from you! Sign up today to participate in a brief phone interview and share your input on the CRRC's membership program.

You do not need to be a CRRC Member to participate. Non-members are encouraged to sign up!

Participants in our research project will receive a thank-you gift as a token of appreciation.

Sign up to give your opinion!

By Dani Sheehan. 

FM approvals are helping shape the future of our industry by defining durability, accountability and risk management for commercial roofing systems. 

At its core, Factory Mutual (FM) is a unique organization with a dual mission. On one side, it operates as a global insurance provider. On the other, it functions as one of the most rigorous building materials testing and research facilities in the world. 

Roughly one in three commercial buildings is FM-insured, particularly larger and more complex facilities. When a building owner chooses FM insurance, the organization largely dictates how the building system, including the roof assembly, is designed. To earn that approval, the entire roofing assembly is evaluated, including materials, thicknesses, deck types, slopes and installation methods rather than individual products in isolation. The organization has tested more than one million roof assemblies, each designed to simulate worst-case scenarios for fire, weather and structural performance. 

FM approvals represent the highest level of fire performance and safety for occupants inside the building. The goal is simple: ensure the roof protects the building, the people inside and the business operations beneath it. 

What FM is actually testing 

FM approvals verify that a roof assembly meets stringent performance benchmarks, including: 

• Fire resistance 
• Wind uplift 
• Foot traffic durability 
• Hail resistance: Moderate hail, severe hail, very severe hail 

Unlike many baseline code requirements, FM places significant emphasis on weather-driven loss prevention, which is why these approvals carry so much weight with consultants, architects and large property owners. 

Approvals are issued through what are known as NAV numbers, which correspond to specific tested assemblies, not just materials. A spray foam system installed over a steel deck, for example, is tested separately from that same system over concrete, or at a different slope. Each variation must independently prove performance under FM’s testing protocols. 

For spray polyurethane foam roofing systems, this testing process creates multiple approved assemblies depending on the coating technology used. Through its Ultra-Thane systems, General Coatings Manufacturing Corp has developed four primary FM-approved spray foam system types, including: 

• Spray foam with standard acrylic coatings 
• Spray foam with high-tensile acrylic coatings 
• Spray foam with silicone coatings 
• Hybrid systems using a polyurea base coat with a silicone topcoat 

These systems have achieved severe hail ratings, one of the FM’s highest currently attainable performance levels for spray foam. Because each system can be installed across different deck types and slopes, they generate numerous approved assemblies that contractors can reference when bidding FM-specified projects. 

How FM approval shapes projects 

Owners and insurers trust FM’s evaluation process because it focuses on the most common causes of building failure, including wind, fire and hail damage. By validating systems against these risks, FM approvals help ensure that buildings, their contents and the people inside are protected at the highest levels while also allowing more competitive insurance coverage. 

FM approvals often determine who gets to bid on a project at all. Many schools, universities, government buildings and large commercial owners will not consider roofing systems without FM approval. If a contractor doesn’t have access to FM-approved assemblies or manufacturer partners that have invested in them, that contractor may be excluded from these opportunities entirely. 

By investing heavily in FM testing across multiple spray foam and coating assemblies, General Coatings has helped position spray polyurethane foam as a viable, performance-driven alternative on FM-insured buildings. The company’s assemblies with severe hail ratings allow spray foam systems to compete in regions where hail resistance is a critical design factor.  

Insurance, risk and the bigger picture 

FM approvals ultimately exist to reduce risk across the built environment. Insurance carriers want fewer catastrophic claims caused by extreme weather. Building owners want roofs that survive storms without requiring costly replacements. Contractors want systems that perform long after installation.  

FM addresses these concerns by testing assemblies to its own performance standards in addition to meeting building code requirements. Traditional building codes are consensus-based and designed to establish minimum acceptable performance levels. FM standards, by contrast, are developed by engineers and researchers who study building failures and determine what durability should look like under real-world conditions. This additional layer of testing is especially important in regions where hail, high winds or severe weather events are common. 

High-performing roofing systems are often backed by a broader portfolio of third-party credentials, including Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and reflectivity certifications through the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC). Together with FM, these approvals demonstrate that a system exceeds minimum code requirements and aligns with the expectations of insurers, owners and regulators nationwide. 

A partnership approach to performance 

Through its Ultra-Thane spray polyurethane foam roofing systems and extensive FM-approved assemblies, General Coatings continues to expand the role spray foam can play on FM-insured and FM-performance buildings. These systems give you additional options when pursuing projects that require proven performance under demanding conditions. 

By continuously investing in testing, certifications and assembly-level approvals, General Coatings helps you offer roofing systems that meet the highest performance standards demanded by today’s commercial market using a collaborative approach: manufacturers providing proven systems, contractors delivering skilled installation and building owners receiving roof systems designed to last.  

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 Emma Peterson. 

How CertainTeed’s CoolStar line is helping combat rising urban temperatures.  

Rising temperatures around the world are causing issues for both individuals’ health and our communities as a whole. According the to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, between 2011 and 2023, 423 people had died due to workplace heat exposure and “an average of 2,700 cases involving heat illnesses lead to days lost at work.” Beyond the tragedy of loss of life and injury, it is estimated by that the U.S. loses $100 billion annually due to “heat-induced declines in labor productivity.” 

So, what can we do about that? One solution is to design cooler cities. 

Building a cooler city 

 A key to creating a more thermally resistant built environment is incorporating cool roofing. “Cool roofs” are roofing systems that reflect solar energy that comes from the sun and emit any remaining heat that is absorbed, leading to more energy efficient buildings and significantly cooler interiors. The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) explains, “Cool roofs literally stay cooler and reduce the amount of heat conducted into the building below. If a building does not have air conditioning, this keeps the building cooler and a more constant temperature. If a building has air conditioning, the equipment does not have to work as hard.” 

How does one design a roof that reflects solar energy? To answer that question, we sat down with John Schultz, the commercial roofing district sales manager for CertainTeed.  

Designing a cool roof 

In his role at CertainTeed, John has worked a lot on the launch of a product line called CoolStar. He explained, “We’re building a family of products. Our first product is the Flintlastic® GTA CoolStar® and now we have our CoolStar® Ultra, both of which are torch-down products.” 

These products have existed in the CertainTeed portfolio for decades and have become contractor favorites. When released as a part of the CoolStar line, the products were improved to boost performance. John explained, “It's the exact same technology. We just changed the granules. So, if you’re a contractor using it, it is the same product you know and love. Your crews already know where to have their torch and how to apply it.”  

So, what changed with the granules? The CertainTeed team designed the CoolStar family of products with “Naturally occurring aggregate processed to bright white granules that are 100% opaque to UV radiation, protecting the asphaltic membrane from UV degradation while maintaining granule adhesion with superior solar reflectance.” 

By the numbers 

The results of this engineering and design feat are powerful coatings that not only deliver durable performance but also sustainability. When looking at cool roofing products, the CRRC highlights two characteristics that determine the roof’s sustainability – solar reflectance and thermal emittance. Solar reflectance is how much sunlight is reflected away from the roof, and thermal emittance is how much heat a roof can release. These properties are measured on a “scale from 0 to 1, where 1 is 100% reflective or emissive.” 

On this scale, CertainTeed’s CoolStar products perform very well. Their CoolStar Ultra is considered highly reflective with a score of 0.73 when installed (maintaining it to 0.68 over three years of on the roof aging) and highly emissive with a score above 0.90.  

The big picture 

Ultimately, CertainTeed’s CoolStar family of products is a huge step towards a more sustainable and healthier built environment. By building upon their existing quality products, they have created an efficient and sustainable way to reduce urban heat without sacrificing durability. The drive to do this all comes back to CertainTeed and their parent company Saint Gobain’s dedication to being a good steward of the environment. John explained, “One of our goals is to have a net 0 carbon target by 2050. How are we going to get there? By making our products more efficient with releases like the CoolStar line.” 

Learn more about CertainTeed’s Flintlastic® GTA CoolStar® and now we have our CoolStar® Ultra online. 

By Dani Sheehan. 

Enter now for your chance to win and see why Ever-Silic HS is the silicone coating trusted by contractors nationwide. 

Looking for a reliable, high-performance coating to extend the life of your next roof restoration? Now’s your chance to experience the power of Ever-Silic HS, the silicone coating trusted by roofing professionals across the country. EVERROOF® is currently giving away five 5-gallon buckets of Ever-Silic HS. 

Enter by December 4, 2025, for your chance to win and see firsthand what makes EVERROOF a leading name in roof coatings. 

Built for performance that lasts 

Ever-Silic HS is a single-component, high-solids silicone elastomer designed to deliver unbeatable protection against the elements. Whether you’re coating aged single-ply, metal, SPF, BUR or modified bitumen roofs, Ever-Silic HS provides a seamless barrier that stands strong from -80°F to 250°F. Its hydrophobic formulation repels water, resists UV degradation and helps lower internal building temperature while extending the service life of the roof. 

With its rapid cure time, excellent adhesion and ease of application, Ever-Silic HS makes restoration fast, efficient and dependable. You can recoat within seven to ten days and count on a finish that maintains flexibility and integrity under harsh weather conditions. 

Ever-Silic HS meets Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) guidelines and is Title 24 compliant, helping deliver energy-efficient systems that perform as good as they look. Available in white, gray and tan (with custom colors by request), this coating offers versatility for any jobsite. 

Don’t miss out 

Whether you’re sealing seams and penetrations, tackling spot repairs or restoring a full system, Ever-Silic HS is the all-in-one solution you can count on. 

Enter the EVERROOF Giveaway by December 4 for your chance to win five 5-gallon buckets of Ever-Silic HS and experience the quality that sets EVERROOF apart.

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

By Dani Sheehan. 

Extend the life of the roof with EVERROOF’s high performance silicone coatings. 

When commercial roofs begin to show signs of aging, building owners often face a difficult decision: replace the roof entirely or find a more cost-effective way to extend its life. The Ever-Silic® product line by EVERROOF offers a durable, seamless and highly reflective silicone solution so that your customers can stop worrying about cost without worrying about performance. 

Talk to your customers about the advantages of restoring their roof by highlighting these five reasons Ever-Silic outperforms other options. 

1 – Extend the life of their roof 

Instead of a costly tear-off and replacement, Ever-Silic HS offers an efficient restoration solution that can add years to the roof’s service life. Designed to adhere to a wide variety of substrates – including metal, modified bitumen, built-up roofing and single-ply membranes – Ever-Silic products create a monolithic, weather-resistant membrane that helps combat normal wear and tear, ponding water and extreme temperatures. 

2 – Year-round application and flexibility 

EVERROOF’s silicone products are engineered to perform in extreme weather. Ever-Silic HS remains stable in temperatures ranging from -80°F to 250°F, flexing with the roof to prevent cracking and peeling. Because it’s not water-based, it can also be applied in lower temperatures, extending the application season well into cooler months. 

To further speed up application on tight deadlines, the Ever-Silic HS Accelerator reduces cure times by up to 50%, helping you finish the job quickly without compromising quality. 

3 – Moisture resistance you can trust 

Silicone is inherently hydrophobic, and Ever-Silic HS takes full advantage of this property to offer long-lasting protection against water infiltration. It resists degradation in standing water, making it perfect for areas that experience heavy rainfall or snow.  

For detailed areas prone to water intrusion, like flashings, seams and penetrations, Ever-Silic Roof Flash has enhanced waterproofing with high vertical hang, quick cure times and is compatible with a range of roof systems. 

4 – UV protection and energy savings 

One of the biggest advantages of silicone coatings is their ability to reflect ultraviolet (UV) rays. Ever-Silic HS is a high solid, pure silicone elastomer, specially formulated for superior UV resistance and long-term durability. Tested and certified by the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) for Title 24 compliance, this product helps lower rooftop temperatures and reduce cooling costs. 

5 – Simplified application, superior results 

Ever-Silic HS is extremely easy to install and re-coatable within a 7-10-day window. Its high solids content allows for rapid cure and excellent coverage, while the optional low solids spray-grade version provides additional flexibility for application preferences. 

A smarter way to restore 

EVERROOF’s Ever-Silic product line offers a complete solution for restoration projects. With these silicone coatings, you can deliver high-performance roof restoration systems without the cost or disruption of full replacement. 

Restore smarter. Protect longer. Choose Ever-Silic.

By Lauren White.  

There’s no voodoo involved when talking about cool surfaces at the CRRC Annual Meeting.  

Between ghost tours, vampire apothecaries and beignets, the Big Easy hosted the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) annual meeting. From June 10-12, 2025, members of the CRRC, committee members, sponsors and interested individuals ventured south to New Orleans, Louisiana to talk about Cool Surfaces in Action.  

Day 1 - Committee meeting day  

After breakfast, handshakes and hello’s, the technical committee kicked off the day with roll call, minute approvals and proposed revisions and changes. George Daisy with DOW and the chair of the CRRC technical committee; Sarah Schneider, CRRC deputy director; and Stacey Weister, CRRC senior technical manager presented throughout the morning.  

About 40 people in person and a handful via Zoom convened for the first half of the day making decisions about definition edits and procedural changes to five-point reflectance test updates and insights on the program manual digitization project. 

After the lunch break, the educational committee meeting started both in person and via Zoom for those who couldn’t travel this week. Kurt Shickman, an interested individual and the educational committee chair; Audrey McGarrell, CRRC communications manager; and Iona Isachsen, Smart Surfaces Coalition shared:  

• Project updates and timelines for completion  
• Downloads and resources information  
• Cool surfaces lesson plan status update  

At the end of the day, the floor opened up for anyone to talk about new business, ask questions and for updates on ongoing projects and discuss future priorities and projects.  

Day 2 - Annual meeting time 

This year, about 70 people, ranging from roofing contractors and interested individuals to manufacturers and research and academic professionals, convened to hear updates, ask questions and learn about new initiatives happening across the nation.   

Sponsors for the event include: Ace Laboratories as a platinum sponsor; Duro-Last, 3M, Climate Reserve, PRI, MACOMA as gold sponsors; IKO, DOW, Atlas, Siplast, Westlake Royal Roofing Solutions, RoofersCoffeeShop® as silver sponsors; Topps Products and R&D Services as bronze sponsors. 

Attendees represented a range of professionals from state energy offices, laboratories, distributors, codes and compliance divisions and universities. Some companies in attendance included: Sherwin-Williams, General Coatings, Western Colloid, Polyglass, 3M, ACE Laboratories, Hawaii State Energy Office, National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), CertainTeed, National Coil Coatings Association, among others.  

A common theme throughout updates and presentations during the day was expanding reach and education. The CRRC continues to grow and while most members are located in the United States, there are now members in India and Australia. They also continue to broaden their reach through podcasts and webinars, speaking and showcasing at trade shows, publishing new resources, building up their social media – go follow them on LinkedIn, Instagram and Threads – and more! The morning was full of committee information and updates. 

Looking ahead, their goals are to continue to educate building contractors, increase code and program references, make cool surface research more accessible, and also improve and grow existing rating programs.  

Marty Hastings Award   

The 2025 recipient of the Marty Hastings Award is Kurt Shickman who has been a member of the CRRC for over a decade and has held multiple leadership roles throughout the years. The Marty Hastings Award was started in 2011 to honor Marty Hastings, a longtime CRRC board member and contributor. The recipient of this award is someone who makes great contributions to the CRRC and their efforts. In addition to the award, a monetary donation is made to a charity of the recipient’s choice. Kurt chose to donate to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), Future Climate Leaders Scholarship. The EESI is a nonprofit offering science-based education to policymakers and the public, aiming to build a sustainable, resilient future through solutions to climate, energy and environmental challenges. This donation will go to fund scholarships and other academic support programs for students at historically black colleges.  

Cool guest presentations about cool surfaces  

Adopting cool roofs in historically cool climates  

Julia Nassar, senior energy and climate planner for The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) for Greater Boston shared about “Expanding Cool Roof Awareness and Adoption in Metro-Boston.” MAPC is a regional planning agency serving the people who live and work in the 101 cities and towns of the Metropolitan Boston region. According to Julia, the frequency and severity of extreme heat events in historically cooler regions like New England where aging housing stock, low AC prevalence and limited heat-risk awareness leaves residents ill-prepared. MAPC’s Cool Roofs Initiative is a project aimed at expanding the awareness and adoption of cool roofs to help reduce heat and energy demand. Their goal is to promote the adoption of cools roofs in the Metro Mayors (16 cities making up the inner core of Boston) region through developing support tools and resources. 

Through the Cool Roof’s Initiative, they developed tools and resources to raise awareness among building owners, contractors and policymakers in Metro-Boston. Julia shared a variety of resources available, including: 

• Cool roof self-assessment: 11 question assessment to help people determine if a cool roof is right for a property  
• Cool roof suitability tool – Interactive map that allows users to identify opportunities for cool roof retrofits. 
• An Educational Toolkit that’s translated into five different languages  
• Market analysis of cool roof potential 

Data and climate action and heat mitigation  

Douglas Melnick, chief sustainability officer for the city of San Antonio, about heat mitigation efforts and ongoing research efforts in San Antonio. As the sixth largest city in the U.S. with 17% of the population identified as low income, rising temperatures are affecting more people, costing more and having major negative impacts. San Antonio saw a record high of 117 degrees Fahrenheit in 2024! According to Douglas, “Extreme heat is here and it’s only going to continue to get more severe as we see an increase in temperatures because of human-caused climate change.”  

During his presentation, “SA Climate Ready and Cool Neighborhoods: A Data-driven Approach to Climate Action and Heat Mitigation,” Douglas shared about the Urban Heat Mitigation Program that the City of San Antonio launched in 2024. Following an extensive mapping process, the City’s Office of Sustainability launched a Cool Neighborhood Program in four target areas to concentrate layered heat mitigation activities in conjunction with ongoing research. Based on the research, 73% of people shared that they were interested in cooler roofs as a strategy to mitigate heat. When cool roofs were installed on homes there was a significant 7.3% energy use reduction and a 10.1-degree reduction. The Cool Pavement Program started in 2023 and as of this year they’re on track to install 22.35 miles of cool pavement. Possible materials being tested are: GAF Streetbond – Durashield, SealMaster – SolarPave, GuardTop – Iron.    

Albedo management  

I learned a new term during this presentation: albedo. Albedo is the Latin word for “whiteness” or “lightness” and is the measure of how reflective a surface is. “Shine On: Recognizing Local and Global Benefits of Albedo Management” was presented by members from Climate Resolve. Bryn Moncelsi, deputy director, and Selena Melgoza, senior climate solutions analyst shared details about the Shine On Initiative, which was launched to recognize the full range of benefits of cool surfaces to spur broader deployment. A nonprofit based in Los Angeles, California, Climate Resolve’s mission is to champion equitable climate solutions. As of January 2015, Climate Resolve passed LA’s Cool Roof Ordinance and Rebate requiring all new and replacement roofs to be a cool roof. They were the first major city to establish a cool roof ordinance, and 10 years later, over 18 million square feet of cool roofing materials have been installed.  

While cool streets are still in the pilot phase, they continue to work with the community and industry partners to reach widespread adoption. According to Climate Resolve, 40% of asphalt cover radiates heat all day and night, making it crucial to cool these surfaces not only for people accessing the streets but also to curb the urban heat island effect. As part of their pilot they have installed cool materials in a variety of city blocks, outdoor basketball courts and have seen a heat differential as high as 12 degrees Fahrenheit. While it’s still gaining traction, to date there have been 182 lane miles installed and they’re looking forward to more adoption and installation in the future.  

This is my second year attending the CRRC Annual Meeting, and I learned just as much this year as I did last year in Las Vegas! It’s pretty incredible to be in the same room as other like-minded people from around the world who are working towards a more sustainable future. We write a lot on The Coffee Shops about sustainability and green initiatives, and the work the CRRC is doing is vitally important. I continue to be impressed with the brilliant minds who are helping the world stay cool.