Darker roof colors are growing in popularity because of their timeless appeal, but some areas—like California—require the use of a reflective shingle that can meet strict energy efficiency requirements. Outside of California, more home and building owners are seeking energy-efficient solutions, but they don't want to settle for colors or styles that deliver a less-than-desired aesthetic for their home.
It used to be that the only option for homeowners was to choose a light-colored shingle that would deliver the required reflectivity, but thanks to innovations from GAF, homeowners who desire a reflective shingle but also want the aesthetic of a darker color have that option in GAF Timberline HDZ® RS, which features the darkest reflective shingle color on the market.
Why Cool Roofs?
The U.S. Department of Energy explains that cool roofs reflect more sunlight than conventional roofs and absorb less solar energy, which results in a cooler roof temperature. Reflective roofs can keep the rooftop temperature up to 50°F cooler than a conventional roof, saving money on air conditioning costs and improving the interior comfort of the home or building.
Beyond the benefits to the home or building owner, cool roofs are good for the environment because, by lowering energy usage, greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution are also lowered, resulting in a healthier environment for everyone.
A Look at California's Requirements
California's Building Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings (Title 24, Part 6) specifies the energy efficiency requirements that roofing assemblies must meet for both new construction and reroofing projects. The requirements vary based on the type of building and the location, but essentially, the roofing products must be rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that rates roofing materials for their thermal emittance, three-year aged reflectance, and solar reflectance index (SRI).
California is leading the way in developing green building requirements that other areas of the country will use as a model. Across the state, efficiency standards are set based on 16 different climate zones, plus Los Angeles, that require varying levels of solar reflectance, with LA having the most stringent requirement with an SRI of 20.
In Los Angeles County, CALGreen has been a leading example of green building codes that govern design and planning, energy efficiency, water efficiency, material conservation, and overall environmental quality standards. GAF is proud to report that all of the colors in the Timberline HDZ® RS line meet these high SRI standards.
Cool Roofs Deliver Results
Since the implementation of California's energy standards, residents have saved billions of dollars through reduced energy costs. Nonrenewable resources, such as natural gas, have also been conserved.
The Department of Energy reports that homes and commercial buildings consume 40% of the energy used in the United States. With heating and cooling accounting for about 54% of energy consumption in homes, taking steps to improve efficiency with a cool roofing assembly makes sense for many home and building owners.
Installing a reflective shingle can deliver improved energy efficiency, no matter where a property is located, but it's especially important for those in areas that experience hot climates with abundant sunshine.
GAF Timberline HDZ® RS Is the Ultimate Reflective Shingle
Homeowners don't have to sacrifice aesthetics or curb appeal to get the reflective properties they want from their roofing system thanks to GAF Timberline HDZ® RS. Offering the darkest reflective shingle color options on the market, homeowners can enjoy the timeless look of a dark roof color while their home benefits from the reflective properties of the shingle.
The brilliance of dark colors that meet the strict requirements of California Title 24, Part 6 is made possible through GAF's proprietary EcoDark® Granules that deliver both reflectivity and rich depth of color, including Charcoal, which is the darkest reflective shingle available on the market. The architectural style of Timberline adds incredible depth and curb appeal to the home due to the multiple layers of asphalt and the three-dimensional appearance of the shingle.
With seven different color options, ranging from lighter grays and browns to the darkest Charcoal, these shingles offer reflectivity for any home style in addition to all the standard features and benefits of the Timberline HDZ® shingle family.
Benefits of Timberline HDZ® RS
In addition to the EcoDark® Granules and the high SRI that meets California's strict energy efficiency guidelines, Timberline HDZ® RS delivers the following powerful benefits:
WindProven™ Limited Wind Warranty that provides the industry's highest protection with no maximum wind speed limitation (when installed with the required GAF accessories).
25-year StainGuard Plus™ Algae Protection Limited Warranty made possible by GAF's proprietary time-release algae-fighting technology that protects the shingles from unsightly blue-green algae stains.
LayerLock® Technology that ensures a strong common bond between overlapping shingle layers.
StrikeZone® nailing area that allows installers to achieve highly accurate nail placement.
Dura Grip™ sealant that's designed to work with the micro-granule surface of the StrikeZone® to form a monolithic bond for added strength and outstanding wind uplift performance.
Choosing the Right Reflective Shingle for Your Home
If you're seeking the benefits of a reflective shingle and energy-efficient roofing system but also want the appeal of a dark color for your roof, then Timberline HDZ® RS shingles could be the right choice for you.
Start by exploring the vivid color options GAF offers and take the first step toward a more comfortable home that also helps the environment.
