What is a High R Roof?

A High R Roof saves money, increases the energy efficiency of a building and reduces carbon emissions. More specifically, a High R Roof is a roof that provides a level of thermal resistance, or R-value, higher than current minimum building code standards and practices.1 The exact level of insulation needed to achieve superior performance with a High R Roof varies according to the criterion applied, but most high performance building guidelines suggest the level should be up to 50% above minimum required values. A good benchmark is that provided for federal buildings by  Executive Order 13423, which sets this high performance target at a minimum 30% improvement in energy efficiency by 2015.2

The Role of Roofing in Improving Energy Efficiency of Buildings

The 30%+ improvement in building energy efficiency envisioned by Executive Order 13423 and other high performance building guidelines will require much more than switching off lights and turning down thermostats. Achieving this goal will require investment in energy-efficient technologies and practices. One of the most significant opportunities to increase building energy efficiency lies within the commercial roofing sector, where over 50 billion square feet of flat roofs are currently available for retrofit. If the insulation levels in these commercial roofs are upgraded from their current R-value to the high performance levels embodied in High R Roofs, annual energy savings would exceed $2 billion.

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