Is concrete roof tile really energy efficient?
There are a number of factors that contribute to a product’s energy efficiency. One factor is the resistance to the migration of heat or cold through the system. Because Westile roof tile have different size dead air spaces between the underside of the tile and the roof deck, there is an opportunity for excessive heat or cold to not be directly transferred into the attic space. Another factor in a product’s energy efficiency is how much heat is reflected away before it gets into the attic space. The Florida Solar Energy Center has been conducting a multiple year study on the benefits of roof tile compared to other roofing materials. They found ” the vented tile roof reduced ceiling (heat) flux by 48% compared to the black shingle roof, while the direct-nail installation returned a flux reduction of 39%. It appears that the tile thermal mass and interstitial ventilation around each tile are the predominant phenomena reducing the cooling load in such roofs.” The FSEC also noted that even
