A concrete tile roof is one of the most energy efficient and durable sloped roofing systems on the market. A concrete tile roof system’s long-term performance and energy efficiency is due in large part to roof tile’s unparalleled thermal mass that significantly reduces heat transfer into the attic space. In addition to thermal mass, concrete roof tile systems include functional air space between the back of the tile and the roof deck. The air space above the roof deck creates an insulative effect that further enhances the heat transfer resistance and combines to extend the life span of the system.
The heat transfer reduction that occurs on a concrete tile roof has been studied at length and there have been several very informative studies that have quantified the benefits of the air space under tile. The research report, The Equivalent Thermal Resistance of Tile Roofs with and without Batten Systems (Miller, Olson and Graves), looked at the data collected in several studies and showed that, depending on location and the size of the airspace, the R-value equivalency of a concrete tile roof system can be more than R-4 equivalence.
The concrete roof tile industry has developed installation systems to build upon the foundation offered by these studies. While the researchers accounted for the buoyancy of the air space, they did not make any efforts to measure the impact of encouraging functional airflow. By adding intake at the eave of the roof and exhaust near the top of the roof, passive airflow can be achieved between the tile and the roof deck. It’s also possible to increase the size of the airspace with raised or ported wood battens.
Eagle Roofing Products has taken the next step to provide a packaged system to promote maximum airflow under tile roof systems. The Ventilated Roof System is an all-in-one concrete tile roof system that focuses on energy efficiency, savings and performance. It is comprised of three key elements that revolve around facilitating airflow.
Circulating airflow underneath a concrete tile roof keeps the space cooler, thereby reducing heat transfer from the attic into the overall living area, conserving energy and increasing comfort. In addition, it extends the long-term performance and lifespan of the underlayment and components.
The Ventilated Roof System is a smart, aesthetically pleasing installation method that improves a home’s efficiency and comfort by decreasing heat retention, which in turn saves money on electricity bills.
Tyler Allwood is the Director of Business Development for Eagle Roofing Products and a member of the Tile Roofing Industry Alliance Government Relations Committee and FRSA’s Roof Tile Committee. Tyler was a roofing contractor in Florida prior to joining Eagle and served as President of the Sarasota/Manatee affiliate of the FRSA.
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