Owens Corning Roofing Solutions transform historic Advanced Light Source dome

TOLEDO, Ohio – Owens Corning announced that its Duration® Premium COOL Roof Shingles and Deck Defense® High Performance Roof Underlayment have been used to re-roof the Advanced Light Source (ALS). The ALS, a particle accelerator that generates X-rays for research, is housed under the iconic dome built by Nobel Prize winner Ernest Orlando Lawrence for his 184-inch cyclotron in the 1930s. The facility is located at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).

Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab is a center of scientific excellence that is associated with eleven scientists that have won the Nobel Prize and thirteen that have won the National Medal of Science, the nation’s highest scientific achievement award. In 2000, scientists at Berkeley Lab developed the Cool Roofing Material Database to aid in the selection of energy-efficient roofing systems that can reduce roof temperatures significantly during the summer; resulting in less air conditioning usage and lower utility bills.

When faced with re-roofing the ALS due to shingles blowing off the dome, Berkeley Lab consulted the Rated Products Directory of the Cool Roof Rating Council for the shingles that would deliver high solar reflectance and good performance. In addition to the Duration® Premium COOL Shingles ability to reflect sunlight and reduce urban heat island effect, the ALS is protected by Owens Corning Roofing and Asphalt Deck Defense underlayment, providing long-term protection for the roof by reducing water intrusion.

The ALS roof was replaced by State Roofing Systems Inc. "Since 1981 we have completed over 8,000 roof installations and over 2,300 restorations, and this is one of the most unique and complex jobs we have had the pleasure to work on. Like every project, we take pride in our exemplary performance and are glad to have played a part in preserving and protecting this landmark," said Rich Penarelli, Project Manager of State Roofing Systems Inc.

Owens Corning™ Duration® Premium Cool shingles meet California Title 24 Cool Roof and initial solar reflectance of 0.25 for ENERGY STAR® requirements. Cool roofs utilize highly reflective granule technology that bounces back the sun’s rays and helps keep roofs cooler. This can result in lower carbon dioxide emissions and help reduce the urban and suburban heat island effect, which, in turn, can help reduce smog. In addition, these shingles have SureNail® Technology built in, which allow the shingles to be warranted to 130mph wind protection.

"As a leading building materials innovator, we have tremendous respect for what the ALS represents in terms of its place in building science history," said Frank O’Brien-Bernini, VP and Chief Sustainability Officer, Owens Corning. "While our solutions are usually installed on homes or commercial buildings to improve performance, aesthetics and durability, it is exciting to see an application that is part of preserving an iconic structure known for housing achievements of outstanding science and sustainability."