It is August, and like all Malaysians, we are looking forward to the month-end holiday where we will be celebrating Merdeka day, our national day.

"Happy Birthday Malaysia"

At this juncture, on behalf of all the staff at Colourcoil Industries, I want to wish Mashita, our KL sales & marketing staff, all the very best as she will be leaving us at the beginning of this month. We certainly will miss her. Mashita,

 "May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand".

For this month's issue, we will continue to feature articles related to cool metal roofs. We also would like to include an article on rain water harvesting where we feel metal roofing is certainly the ideal solution. Last but not least, please browse through our new webpage that contain video clips about cool roofs.

Thank you.

Jim
Team leader & Editor
Editor@colourcoil.com
www.colourcoil.com

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ARTICLES Colourcoil Website Upgraded - Watch Cool Videos   Be Cool - Cool Metal Roofs Provide Long-Term Energy and Durability Benefits for Buildings   Metal Roofing & Rain Water Harvesting   Scott Kriner Named Chair of Key Cool Roof Rating Council Panel   DATUM KL – 12th ARCHIDEX 2011   Recent Published Article: Roof & Façade Asia Magazine   Nation-wide Seminars on “KOOL Energy Efficient Pre-Painted Steel for Metal Roofing” Continues   Factory Visits   Need more Info?

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Website upgraded
Colourcoil's website has recently been upgraded to include the following:

• A new webpage named Cool Metal Roof Videos. You can now watch video clips:
  • Energy 101: Cool roofs by the U.S Department of Energy
  • Cool roofs by European Cool Roofs Council
  • a video clip of an interview with Hashem Akbari, a senior scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, who talks about how cool roofs can help mitigate heat island effects as well as global warming
  • California is taking the lead in the drive to discover ways to cool cities
     
• We are continuing with our project reference webpage for readers who want to see metal roofing projects that have used Colourcoil high performance pre-painted steel. Kindly take note that the project reference webpage is not permanent and does not part of our website.

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Be Cool - Cool Metal Roofs Provide Long-Term Energy and Durability Benefits for Buildings
In today’s tough economic climate, the decision about which roofing material to use can hinge as much on the material’s sustainable attributes—such as energy efficiency—as on its appearance and cost. Because a roof can have a significant impact on the energy use in a building, the material selection is an important decision. Increasingly, building designers, engineers and owners are turning to cool metal roofing products to meet their demands for durability, energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness as they look for ways to enhance their investment.

Cool roofs have radiative properties that reduce surface temperature, minimize the amount of heat transferred into the living space below and reduce the heat released from the surface to the ambient air. The energy efficiency benefits of a cool roof are determined primarily by two properties: total solar reflectance and infrared emittance. Cool metal roofing products comprise unpainted metal and pre-painted metal metal for steep-slope and low-slope applications. They are part of an interdependent system of exterior roofing surfaces, substrates, underlayments, configurations, ventilation and insulation.

In terms of durability, metal roofs are resistant to wind, fire, hail and snow, and are less affected by the hot-cold and wet-dry cycles that can destroy other materials. Metal roofs inherently are non-combustible, thereby reducing the spread of fire in and among buildings. They are made of inert, safe materials that do not pose a health risk. Commercial metal roofs have been in service for 30 years or more, and painted roofs are credibly warranted up to 25 years. This durability translates into lower life-cycle costs, making metal roofing the choice of many school, government, commercial, industrial and institutional building owners.

Energy Efficiency
A key consideration in the selection of a cool roof is the product’s energy efficiency. In 2004, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Buildings Technology Center completed a three-year comparison study to evaluate the energy efficiency and service life of metal roofing systems. The study compared various metal roofing materials placed side-by-side in steep-slope and low-slope applications, including painted and unpainted galvanized steel, painted and unpainted Galvalume-coated steel and painted aluminum roofing. The materials were tested at ORNL in Oak Ridge, Tenn., and at test fence exposure sites in Florida, Nova Scotia and Pennsylvania. Additional test fence data from 10, 15 and more than 30 years of exposure also were evaluated.

Figure 1

The evaluations included a comparison of solar reflectance and emittance data for the materials. Reflected solar energy allows the roof surface to remain cooler, ensuring that less heat is transferred into the building. Unpainted metal roofs, as well as metal roofs painted with cool coatings, reflect much of the solar radiation that strikes the roof, keeping the building cooler.

The infrared emittance of a roof is a measure of absorbed solar radiation that is re-emitted from the roof surface to the sky (see Figure 1). The emittance of metal roofing varies with the surface finish; painted metal roofing can be as high as 90 percent.

The ORNL study demonstrated that:

• Metal panels maintain high levels of reflectance even after continued exposure to the elements throughout many years (see Figure 2).

• The pre-painted metal roofing retained 95 percent of its initial solar reflectance over the testing period. The panels also maintained high levels of emittance, which increased slightly in some cases.

• The Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program required field testing at three different building sites. The results for painted metal showed the reflectance to be very similar whether exposed in Florida, Nova Scotia or Pennsylvania.

• Long-term weathering does not significantly affect the solar reflectance or the infrared emittance of painted metal roof panels.

• Painted and unpainted metal panels maintained their energy efficiency better over time than any of the other roofing systems studied.

Figure 2

Choosing the Right Roof for Your Climate
Where annual cooling loads dominate, a highly reflective and highly emissive painted metal roof is optimal for reducing energy consumption and can actually re-emit up to 90 percent of absorbed solar radiation. In areas where annual heating loads dominate, an unpainted metal roof may be more desirable because of its low infrared emittance, which allows more solar energy to come into the building envelope in winter. The emittance of painted or granular-coated metal roofing can be as high as 90 percent.

When choosing and installing a cool roofing system, material specifiers and building owners also should know that:

• Buildings consume one-third of all energy and two-thirds of all electricity generated. Cool roofs help reduce energy consumption by lowering cooling loads.

• Cool metal roofing helps mitigate the urban heat island effect because highly emissive roofs can lower urban air temperatures, benefiting the environment by reducing smog formation.

• Because it has a lighter weight per unit area than heavier non-metal roofing alternatives, metal roofing can yield structural savings in certain buildings.

• In some applications, energy savings from a painted metal roof, when compared to a traditional built-up roof, can translate to significant cost savings, allowing the roof to pay for itself in as little as nine years. In other applications, roof payout is well within its projected 30- to 50-year lifespan.

• Subject to local codes, most metal roofing, including standing seam, can be installed directly onto an existing asphalt roof. This saves removal and disposal costs, reduces landfill waste, and promotes quick installation. It also provides decades of environmentally sound, maintenance-free strength and beauty.

• Metal roofing contains at least 25 percent recycled content, and is 100 percent recyclable when removed as part of a building renovation or demolition. Unlike many other construction products, most metals can be easily recycled back into new products, without the need to downcycle the material.

• Cool metal roofs contribute to the Malaysian Green Building Index (GBI) and Washington-based U.S. Green Building Council LEED rating system because of their recycled content and contribution to reducing the urban heat island effect. (Please note that unpainted aluminum-zinc steel or acrylic coated steel will not meet the GBI's solar reflective index requirements)

Ease of Maintenance
Metallic-coated or pre-painted metal roofing is inherently a very low-maintenance product that will last 30 to 40 years or more. The ORNL study proved that painted and unpainted metal roofs show less effect from weather extremes over time, maintaining surface properties and resisting soiling.

Metal roofing has been proven to retain its solar reflective properties far better than competing cool roof products, without any regular cleaning or maintenance. In the ORNL study, the painted metal roofs maintained their original manufactured appearance. Rains with a measured pH of 4.3 did not etch the metal finish after three years.

When selecting a roofing product for commercial projects, cool metal roofs make good business sense, providing long-lasting, sustainable benefits for a strong return on investment.

Learn more about Colourcoil KOOL energy-efficient pre-painted steel that is in compliance with Malaysia's GBI (Green Building Index) and Energy Star requirements, used for the downstream manufacturing of metal roofs.

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Metal Roofing and Rain Water Harvesting
In this month's issue, we would just like to include an article on rain water harvesting and why we think metal roofing offers the ideal solution. This is also appropriate as the state of Selangor in Malaysia has made it mandatory for new semi-detached homes, bungalows and government buildings to install a rain water harvesting system (see The Star online news).

Metal roofing for rain water harvesting is considered one of the best options for maximum efficiency and the potability of the harvested rain water. In any building, the roof is the major catchment area of the rain water. Hence, the material of the roof is very important in proper rain water harvesting. According to scientific research, the metal roof had been estimated to have an efficiency quotient of 0.9 on a scale of zero to one. This is ideal for maximum catchment of rain water.

It would be obvious even to lay persons that rain water catchment would be higher with smoother surfaces. All types of metal roofing materials such as galvanized iron, corrugated steel, aluminum, various alloys, etc. provide not only smooth surfaces but they are also bacteria-resistant. Hence, the harvested rain water is highly potable. Metal roofing for rain water harvesting easily meets the major criteria required for using metals as the roofing materials in catchment of rain water. These criteria and the effectiveness of metal roofing against each criterion are listed hereunder.

Durability
The roofing system should withstand the weight of the water even during heavy rains. It should not be affected by the accumulation of water on its surface and last for a longer period. Metal roofing for rain water harvesting is able to meet these conditions perfectly.

Functional Design
The roofing should be easy to fix and maintain. It should not leak during periods of heavy rain also and remain strong. The roofing should allow the accumulated water to flow to the rain water harvesting tank smoothly and easily. The metal roofing for rain water harvesting is better in this aspect, compared to many other types of roofing materials.

Purity of Water
Since metal roofing for rain water harvesting is quite resistant to bacteria, the water collected from rain is generally potable (i.e. fit to drink) straightaway. Nonetheless you should check with your roof manufacturer as to whether there are any dangerous chemicals in the paint coating that should not be consumed. (Colourcoil pre-painted steel products for the downstream manufacturing of metal roofs are completely mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) free).

Still, bugs, dust, dirt, and debris that accumulate on the metal roof are likely to contaminate the water to a certain extent. Hence, the rain water harvesting system should have adequate filters and other water purifying techniques to remove these materials from the rain harvested water. It is advisable to clean the metal roof before rains are expected to minimize these problems.

Aesthetics
Since the metal roofing for rain water harvesting could be made from various materials like galvanized iron, corrugated steel roofing, aluminum, and alloys, they could be manufactured in various designs, patterns, styles and colors. This would boost not only the functionality of the roof as a powerful rain water harvesting medium but also the aesthetics of the entire building. The variations in aesthetics that could be achieved with metal roofing materials could never be obtained by concrete roofing, the major alternative to metal roofing.

Cost Considerations
Metal roofing for rain water harvesting is among the cheapest roofing materials. In particular, compared to solid concrete roofing, the metal roofing is the most cost-effective solution. Additionally, concrete roofing needs to be reinforced and strengthened with water-proofing chemicals and treatments. This increases the cost of concrete roofs even further. The sturdiness and durability of metal roofing materials result in least maintenance cost over several years. Hence, metal roofs are highly cost effective.

From the above features, it is clear that metal roofing for rain water harvesting is certainly the ideal solution.

Learn more about our mercury-free and lead-free high performance pre-painted steel used for the downstream manufacturing of metal roofs. 

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Scott Kriner Named Chair of Key Cool Roof Rating Council Panel
As most of our readers would know, Scott Kriner from the U.S has been to Malaysia twice, once as a speaker at at a seminar organized by Colourcoil Industries in November 2010 at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and recently as a speaker at the Green Building Forum, ArchiDex 2011, Kuala Lumpur.

Colourcoil Industries would like to congratulate Scott, technical director for the Metal Construction Association (MCA) and The Metal Initiative (TMI), on his recent appointment as the chairman of the Cool Roof Rating Council's (CRRC) technical committee at the CRRC’s recent board meeting in Reno, Nev.

Kriner, LEED AP, was the vice chairman of the technical committee in 2010. He succeeds Rick Olson of the Tile Roofing Institute, who stepped down as technical committee chairman when he was elected to the CRRC board of directors.

CRRC (Cool Roof Rating Council) in the U.S, is an independent, non-profit organization that develops methods for evaluating and labeling the solar reflectance and thermal emittance (radiative properties) of roofing products, including roof coatings.

Colourcoil Industries has been a member of CRRC since 2009.  

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DATUM KL – 12^th ARCHIDEX 2011
Colourcoil Industries was proud to once again be a part of the Architecture, Interior Design and Building Exhibition 2011 which was held from June 30- July 3, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).

Now in its 12th consecutive year, ARCHIDEX remains the biggest event in Malaysia for the architecture, interior design and building industry, showcasing the latest products and services in these sectors.

Having taken up booths and showcasing products 3 times previously in the exhibition section of ARCHIDEX, this year Colourcoil Industries participated more actively by taking part in the Green Building Forum (GBF). Once again, it was our pleasure to sponsor a reputable speaker, Mr. Scott Kriner, President of Green Metal Consulting, Inc. all the way from the USA, to present a talk on why cool metal roofing is the best roof. This was Mr. Kriner’s 2^nd visit to Malaysia to present such talk, the first one being in November 2010 when we had invited him to Sabah for our "KOOL Energy-Efficient Pre-Painted Steel for Metal Roofing" seminar.

In Mr. Kriner’s talk, not only did he touch on the advantages of using cool metal roofing to mitigate urban heat island effects and its ability to save cooling energy, he also highlighted how metal roofing in general is an excellent platform for rooftop integrated PV systems.

Other speakers at the forum included Mr. Chris Barry from Pilkington USA, who talked on High Performance Glass for High Performance Buildings, Mr. Anthony Wong from Malaysia, who talked on Sustainable Resort Hotels, and Ir. Thirukumaran Jallendran who talked on the topic of Managing Green Projects.

Click here to read Scott's recently published article on his experience at ARCHIDEX 2011.

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