KANKAKEE, Ill. — IKO’s popular line of “cool roof” residential roofing shingles, IKO Cambridge™ Cool Colors, has expanded to include a new color choice for contractors and homeowners seeking compliance with California Energy Commission Building Standards Code, Title 24.

The shingles are now offered in five dramatic color options, including Dual Grey, Arctic White, Desert Gold, Valley Oak and the newest color, Amber Burst. All five colors will be available throughout California with additional limited availability in surrounding West Coast states, while Dual Grey will continue to be offered nationwide.

Two lighter color options, Arctic White and Dual Grey, convey a fresh, calming “coastal” aesthetic that pairs well with other cool-colored home features — such as siding and stone masonry in hues of grey, blue, yellow, white, pastels and other vivid colors. Meanwhile, Desert Gold, Valley Oak and Amber Burst are warmer, multi-tone colors that bring a home’s beauty and surrounding environment to life through the rich, inviting hues of nature.

Reflective Roofing Shingles

Title 24 energy-efficiency standards include specific provisions for roofs, which apply to both new construction and remodeling applications. They require all residential and commercial structures in the state to employ roofs that have a minimum solar reflectivity.

“One of the simplest ways to comply with Title 24 standards as they apply to a home’s roof —especially for re-roofs — is to install infrared reflective roofing shingles, otherwise known as ‘cool roofs,’” said Mark Okland, product development manager, IKO North America. “IKO’s cool roof residential shingles, Cambridge Cool Colors, use a shingle coating embedded with specially designed granules that reflect a greater amount of solar energy than conventional roofing granules.”

This high-reflectance technology allows less solar radiation (less heat) to enter the home through the attic. As a result, IKO Cambridge Cool Colors shingles help to lower the roof’s temperature on sunny days throughout the year, potentially reducing overall cooling loads on the home and energy costs associated with air conditioning.

In addition, energy-efficient home upgrades, such as a new cool roof, may even qualify some homeowners in the state of California for financing options through the HERO^® Program — which can be another helpful selling point for contractors to share with their homeowner customers. For full details on the program, visit www.heroprogram.com/roofing.

Beauty and Curb Appeal

Aside from helping homeowners achieve Title 24 compliance, IKO Cambridge Cool Colors also deliver an eye-catching, dimensional roofscape for boosted curb appeal.

The shingles feature a dimensional profile with deep shadow bands to create vivid, stylized roof textures. While they draw their inspiration from the classic beauty of traditional wood shakes, Cambridge Cool Colors shingles have been specially engineered with a more contemporary, high-end appearance that suits any home’s style — from traditional to modern, rustic to urban.

Complementary IKO Ultra HP^® High Profile Hip and Ridge Cap Shingles in Amber Burst are also available to help protect vulnerable roof areas and to accentuate the roofline with a dimensional, high-profile and textured look.

Further, they have the same “Advantage” size benefit as other standard Cambridge shingles — which has a larger exposure (5-7/8") than most competitors’ comparable products (5-5/8"). Because of their larger profile, installation of Cambridge shingles not only is faster and easier for contractors, but also creates a dramatic finished appearance and lowers job costs associated with excess materials and labor.

For more information, visit www.iko.com.