The Glenview, Ill.-based Metal Construction Association and U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tenn., have begun the last phase of a joint three-year dynamic building envelope research project. The program, which began in 2009, is aimed at evaluating the future needs of advanced metal roof and wall assemblies. In the final phase of the project, the synergies between various components of metal roof assemblies will be evaluated for their ability to improve energy efficiency. Components in the roof assemblies include insulation, radiant barriers, phase change materials, and above-sheathing ventilation. In addition, the current research phase evaluates the interaction of cool metal roofing and crystalline photovoltaic modules in both steep-slope and low-slope orientations. Full-sized roof mock ups are installed on the Envelope Systems Research Apparatus and the Roof Thermal Research Apparatus in the Building Technologies Research and Integration Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. MCA, ORNL, and several suppliers collaborated to install the experimental attic roofs on the ORNL campus. Aside from MCA member participation, other suppliers of materials included CertainTeed, a manufacturer of thermal insulation and building envelope materials, and Phase Change Energy Solutions, a manufacturer of bio-based phase change materials. To learn more, visit www.metalconstruction.org.