McIntyre has played a pivotal role in shaping and advancing the organization’s expansion into rating exterior wall products.

The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) is pleased to announce that Dale McIntyre has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Marty Hastings Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership and lasting contributions to the CRRC Wall Product Rating Program (Wall Program). The award was presented to McIntyre at the CRRC Annual Conference on June 16-18, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.

Since joining the Wall Rating Program Steering Committee in 2019, McIntyre has played a pivotal role in shaping and advancing the organization’s expansion into rating exterior wall products. He helped develop the business case for the Wall Program and served as chair of the Wall Rating Program Committee (WRPC) from 2020 to 2025. He continues to serve as a voting member on this committee. During his time at Behr Paint Company, Dale led Behr’s participation as a Wall Program founding member and licensee, supported the development of testing protocols for architectural coatings and championed the Wall Program through education and outreach to industry. He also serves on the CRRC Education Committee (EduC) (2021-2025, Feb. 2026 - present) and served as an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors (2020-2025). After departing from Behr in 2025, Dale continued his involvement with the CRRC as a general interest member and was reappointed to the WRPC and EduC in February 2026.

In all of his volunteer roles with the CRRC, McIntyre “consistently provides thoughtful guidance and support to his fellow committee and board members, as well as CRRC staff,” according to his confidential nominator. “Given his tremendous support and contributions to the CRRC over the past 7 years, Dale should be honored as this year's recipient of the Marty Hastings Award.”

As part of this prestigious award, the CRRC has made a donation in McIntyre’s name to the Cool Schools Project in Sonora, Mexico. The project is aimed at expanding the use of cool surfaces and passive cooling solutions to protect students in public schools that are located in heat-vulnerable communities. It is a partnership between Climate Resolve and the Mexican National System for the Integral Protection of Children and Adolescents (SIPINNA). The Mexican state of Sonora was prioritized because it has the greatest health impacts from extreme heat.

The Marty Hastings Award was created in honor of the longtime board member, treasurer and technical committee member who passed away in 2011. Hastings contributed greatly to the CRRC and is fondly remembered for his upbeat attitude, enthusiasm and sense of humor. To commemorate Hastings’ contributions to the organization, the CRRC created this annual award presented to a volunteer who has made outstanding contributions to the CRRC. Nominations for the award are solicited from the CRRC Membership, and the recipient is selected by a Board-level committee. The award includes a $500 donation made in the recipient’s name to a charitable organization of their choice. Visit coolroofs.org to learn about past award recipients.

About CRRC

The CRRC is 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. The CRRC’s mission is to bring objective, scientific information related to cool surfaces to critical discussions and informed decisions about the impacts of heat islands, extreme heat and energy use in the built environment. Please contact the CRRC at info@coolroofs.org or (866) 465-2523 for more information on its programs.

Date: June 16-18 | Location: Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk

The 2026 CRRC Annual Conference will be held on June 16-18 at the Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk in San Antonio, TX!

The CRRC Annual Meeting has officially been renamed the CRRC Annual Conference. The event’s new branding reflects the transition to a three-day event that we piloted in 2024 and 2025 and our aim to make this the premier gathering of professionals engaged in the cool surfaces arena.

The conference will include the CRRC Member Meeting (June 16), Technical Committee and Education Committee meetings (June 17), and a Board of Directors (Board) meeting (June 18). One ticket grants access to all three days. As in years past, the Member Meeting will feature organizational updates, the Board election, presentation of the Marty Hastings Award, expert guest presentations and a complimentary cocktail reception. As we embrace the theme of COOL CONNECTIONS, the Member Meeting will also feature a new interactive breakout session to foster deeper conversations around the CRRC’s activities.

Register for the show today!

Become a sponsor.

The Cool Surfaces Toolkit is designed to make trusted, science-based information on cool roofs, walls and pavements more accessible to a broad range of audiences. 

The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) has released a new Cool Surfaces Toolkit microsite featuring informational resources about solar-reflective “cool” roofs, exterior walls and pavements. The Cool Surfaces Toolkit is accessible at coolrooftoolkit.org.

The purpose of the toolkit site is to provide a collection of educational content for members of the general public and practitioners such as architecture and design professionals; policy and program developers; roofing and construction contractors; teachers and educators; and more. It offers streamlined access to educational briefs, videos, courses and other publications separate from the CRRC’s primary website, coolroofs.org. It also includes a blog and hosts A Practical Guide to Cool Roofs and Cool Pavements: Primer, which was developed by the Global Cool Cities Alliance to provide detailed guidance on the use of cool roof and pavement materials.

A standout feature of the site is the Cool Surfaces Knowledge Base, a repository for cool surfaces and heat island information from around the world. The knowledge base catalogues over 600 peer-reviewed research and technical studies; codes, standards, policies and laws; government reports; case studies and demonstration projects; and sample program documents and implementation frameworks. It is updated regularly to include new publications. The knowledge base is searchable and can be filtered by a variety of criteria, including open access availability.

“Our hope for the microsite is that it opens doors for more audiences to utilize and benefit from the CRRC’s extensive collection of scientifically supported educational resources. There is something for everyone who has an interest in cool surfaces, whether they are a teacher looking for classroom materials, a policymaker in need of answers or a seasoned design professional,” says CRRC Communications Manager Audrey McGarrell. According to Kurt Shickman, chair of the CRRC Education Committee and ex-officio CRRC board member, “The CRRC draws on experts from across industry and academia to produce high-quality, balanced and accurate educational materials. The new microsite is a fantastic and intuitive way to find all of that knowledge and insight.”

The Cool Surfaces Toolkit is designed to make trusted, science-based information on cool roofs, walls and pavements more accessible to a broad range of audiences. Additional materials and updates will continue to be added over time as they become available. The site is now publicly available at coolrooftoolkit.org.

About CRRC

The CRRC is 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. The CRRC’s mission is to bring objective, scientific information related to cool surfaces to critical discussions and informed decisions about the impacts of heat islands, extreme heat and energy use in the built environment. Please contact the CRRC at info@coolroofs.org or (866) 465-2523 for more information on its programs.

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.