Title 24 Roofing Requirements

Roofing as Energy Saver

• One of the largest expenses in property ownership is the cost of heating and cooling the interior to temperatures deemed comfortable for human habitation. Roofs that reduce the amount of solar-temperature-increase that houses in a traditionally sunny state like California must face are now mandatory components of new building projects thanks to that state's Title 24. The crux of the specifications seem to be the creation of roofs that reflect the sun's rays and therefore its heat away from the structure below.

"Cool Roofs"

• To meet the requirements of Title 24 compliant construction, companies that specialize in "cool roofs," as these reflective roofs are known, provide several options for their execution. One such company is Metacrylics, whose website defines a "cool roof" according to Section 118 of Title 24 as a roofing material with high solar reflectance and high emittance that reduces heat gain through the roof. Metacrylics says commercial roofing products that qualify include materials like elastomeric coatings, including white acrylic coatings.

Types of Roofs and Coatings

• Metals such as copper and tin seem obvious materials for this job and have been traditional roofing materials for centuries. But reflective paint colors and coatings such as white reflective paint can also accomplish the reflective goal. Additionally, some companies use a type of white tar paper to which they adhere a layer of white gravel for extra stability and extra durability. All of these meet the specifications of Title 24.