Roof Program FAQs

No. The CRRC defines a roofing product as the material designed, manufactured, and constructed as the uppermost part of the roof assembly that is in direct contact with solar radiation. Only Company B needs to become a CRRC Licensee.

Company A must become a CRRC Licensee since the coating formulation affects the radiative properties of the finished product. Company C must also become a CRRC Licensee because it is bringing the final product to market.

The CRRC annual renewal process typically occur in Q1 of each year. All Licensees are required to pay the annual renewal fee by the stated deadline to continue participating in the CRRC Product Rating Program. The Licensee is also required to pay the annual renewal fees for any active rated products.

Yes. The CRRC Wall Rating Program is separate and distinct from the Roof Rating Program. Per the request of the CRRC membership, and by direction of the CRRC Board of Directors, the Wall Rating Program must be financially self-sufficient. Any company interested in getting a CRRC product rating for an exterior wall product must submit a WF-1 Licensee Application and pay the associated fee regardless of whether the company is already a CRRC Licensee in the Roof Rating Program.

No. Products sold as both low and steep are exposed on the weathering farm at the low-slope angle. Therefore, a change from “low” to “both low and steep” does not affect how the product weathered at the test farm. However, changing the slope from “steep” to “both low and steep” is not allowed because that would necessitate a new round of weathering at the steep-slope angle, which means the product would need to be retested.

The CRRC does not require rated products to meet or exceed a minimum value for solar reflectance (SR) and thermal emittance (TE). Any product can be rated by the CRRC regardless of its radiative performance as long as it is tested in accordance with the CRRC-1 Product Rating Program Manual.

The reasons why the CRRC does not establish a minimum threshold for SR and TE are (1) the CRRC does not certify products through the CRRC Roof Rating Program, as certification implies that a product meets or exceeds a standard, and (2) minimum SR and TE requirements vary among jurisdictions. What is considered a “cool” roofing material in one jurisdiction may not be considered one in another jurisdiction.

The Rated Roof Products Directory is updated in real-time based on products that have an active CRRC rating. The CRRC strives to approve product rating applications as quickly as possible after receiving all the necessary information and payment from the Licensee, though there may be a backlog for processing during busy periods. Any missing documentation or inaccuracies in the application or test results will cause additional delays.

Yes. Licensees in the Roof Rating Program can update the brand and model name of their rated product(s) through the CRRC Online Rating Portal. For more significant changes, please contact the CRRC at [email protected] and describe the changes you would like to make.

No. The testing and weathering requirements differ slightly between the two programs. For example, the settings on the Solar Spectrum Reflectometer used for taking reflectance measurements are different between the two programs. Additionally, the exposure angle for field exposure of product samples (i.e. three-year weathering) is vertical (90°) for wall products and either 45° or 5° for roof products.

No. Ratings are based on solar reflectance and thermal emittance measurements made by a CRRC-approved test lab using the proper equipment and settings. Additionally, three-year weathering in accordance with CRRC protocols is required for a rating. Weathering is preceded by initial testing and followed by aged testing, both conducted by a CRRC-approved test lab.

Yes. Rapid Ratings is an optional step in the standard product rating process. All products must still be tested for the initial product ratings by a CRRC Accredited Independent Testing Laboratory and must undergo three-year weathering at a CRRC-approved Test Farm. Once the three-year weathering process is complete, the measured aged values will replace the interim Rapid Ratings on the Rated Roof Products Directory and the CRRC Product Label.

Yes. Upon completing the Rapid Rating process, you will also receive a CRRC Rapid Ratings Product Label from the CRRC. Once the three-year weathering process is complete, and you have successfully completed the aged rating process, the CRRC will send you the standard CRRC Product Label, which will replace the Rapid Ratings Label on the rated product.

Licensees that do not wish to participate in the Rapid Ratings Program will continue to be listed on the Rated Roof Products Directory with "pending" aged values until the three-year aged values are available.

The Rapid Ratings Program is based on the Practice for Laboratory Aging of Roofing Products (ASTM D7897) which simulates the soiling and weathering of roofing product samples. This process can be completed by a CRRC Rapid Ratings Laboratory over the course of a few days and includes initial testing. The Rapid Ratings will be reflected on the Rated Roof Products Directory as soon as the CRRC reviews and approves the Licensee's product rating application and test results provided by the Rapid Ratings Laboratory.

There are several test methods for measuring the radiative performance (all products), thickness (field-applied coatings and single-ply membranes), and color (factory-applied coating/coated metal) of roofing products. The test methods are listed in the CRRC-1 Product Rating Program Manual (roofing only) and ANSI/CRRC S100 standard. These tests must be performed by an Accredited Independent Testing Laboratory (AITL), unless otherwise specified.

An AITL is an independent product testing facility that is accredited to the International Standard, ISO/IEC 17025, and approved by the CRRC to test products for the Roof Rating Program. An AITL is also not owned by or affiliated with any manufacturers. The CRRC only accepts test data from an AITL for CRRC product ratings. An Approved Manufacturer Testing Laboratory (AMTL) is a laboratory that is affiliated with a roofing or wall product manufacturer and has been approved by the CRRC. See CRRC Accredited Test Labs and Test Farms for a list of approved labs.

Please contact one of the AITLs on the CRRC website directly with your inquiry. Even if an AITL agrees to take measurements in situ, the test results cannot be used to receive a CRRC product rating. Only testing conducted in accordance with the CRRC’s requirements in the CRRC-1 Product Rating Program Manual and ANSI/CRRC S100 standard is permitted.

Only if the CRRC “Multiple Product Extended Label” is used. Up to four rated products can be listed on this label. However, the label must not be extended beyond four rated products, nor can any CRRC label be altered or modified. Visit Product Label Guidance for detailed requirements.

The Licensee must have a signed CRRC Licensee Agreement (either Roof and/or Wall Program) and Rated Product Logo Agreement (Roof Program only) on file with the CRRC to be authorized to use the label and logo, respectively. There are strict requirements about the proper use of the label and logo. Visit Product Label Guidance and Logo Use Requirements for detailed requirements.

For rated roof products, please email [email protected] to request the official CRRC Product Label and/or Rated Product Logo files.

Yes. The CRRC Product Label may only be used by CRRC Licensees with products that have received a CRRC rating. There are strict requirements about the proper use of the CRRC Product Label. Visit Product Label Guidance for detailed requirements.

No. The Member Logo is only for use by CRRC members. If you are a CRRC Licensee and want to use the Member Logo, you must also become a CRRC member. The Member Logo can only be used on company letterheads, correspondence, and promotional materials. Visit Logo Use Requirements for detailed requirements.