Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs » IR REFLECTIVE PIGMENTS

Question: Besides reflectivity, how do these new IR reflective pigments compare to currently used products?

Answer:

There are two types of pigments used in coatings: organic and inorganic. Organic pigments, as a class, offer very vivid and bright colors but are generally not as lightfast and opaque as inorganic pigments. Due to their outstanding durability, it is the inorganic pigments that are used for applications that are warranted against color change from sunlight and the elements. For the most demanding applications, such as premium finishes for metal roofing, paint makers utilize a special class of inorganic pigments known as CICP’s (Complex Inorganic Color Pigments). Certain of these pigments exhibit high IR-reflectivity for a given visible color. This allows for the manufacture of colored metal roofs that can now meet the U.S. EPA’s EnergyStar and other regulatory and code requirements.

Question: What are the costs of reflective paint relative to conventional paint systems?

Answer:

Many CICP’s used for years already possess reflective characteristics. Others are more recent developments and carry a premium. However, there are a number of other significant cost drivers, such as paint reformulation costs, production and inventory of newly-formulated paints, setup and changeover for small line runs, stocking and shipping short-run coils, etc. Many of these other costs are more significant than the raw material cost differential from the pigment. This is a Question that is best answered by the paint and roof manufacturers.

Question: The marketplace is always price conscious. How does a metal roofing fabricator convert inventories (coil) to IR reflective pigmented coatings with minimal cost and efficiency?

Answer:

Again, this is a question for the roofing manufacturer. There are issues of stocking or otherwise supplying (currently) small volume products, segregation of inventory, self-certification, etc. Today there is enough non-reflective roofing business to mitigate the risks of obsolete inventory. Somewhere down the road, greater attention may have to be paid to manage the stockdown of non-reflective products and the corresponding increase in cool roofing equivalents.

Question: For certifying colors, how would coaters certify colors that they make themselves (match colors)? Would this be possible or would there be

Answer:

This question is best answered by the individual paint manufacturer. There is a complicated dynamic at play:

1) The paint manufacturer may opt for a standard range of reflective paints, or may offer custom colors. Pricing may vary.

2) The number of colors in the reflective range may influence the coaters’ pricing, at least to some extent.

3) The roofing fabricator may choose to offer a limited line of EnergyStar compliant (or otherwise reflective) products in order to maximize production efficiency, even if the paint or the coated stock is available in a wide range of colors.

As for certification, it depends on the regulation. EnergyStar compliance, for example, is self-certified, and can be done by anyone with the right equipment (spectrophotometer or D&S instrument) and a spreadsheet. CRRC ratings must be certified by an accredited laboratory, in the case of standard colors, or by an accredited paint manufacturer, in the case of custom colors.

Question: Will there be any loss of durability with the new IR reflective pigmented paints?

Answer:

Because IR-reflective pigments are synthetic minerals, it is anticipated that they will outperform conventional pigments in the long term. Many of the pigments that convey IR-reflectance have been in use for more than three decades. Other more recently developed pigments do not have such lengthy historical data. However, accelerated and short-term weathering results suggest that they will also exhibit remarkable stability. The fact that the IR reflective pigments absorb less heat should actually prolong their lifespan thus resulting in better durability for the products on which they are used.