Cover Story

May/June 2008, volume 31, number 3

All segments of the construction industry are finding that building with energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly features is more than a passing trend.  According to an article in the Wall Street Journal (March 5, 2008, Home Builders Go ‘Green’ To Seek New Selling Point), “as much as 10% of all housing starts, at a market value of $38 billion are expected to include environmentally-friendly construction by 2010, up from 2% of starts, or $7.4 billion last year, according to the National Association of Home Builders.”  Not only are a segment of consumers demanding these features but some members of the industry, manufacturers, architects, builders, and roofers, are taking a lead role in pushing new ideas forward.

         D.R. Horton, in California’s central valley recently completed building a gated community in Fresno, called Arboleda, that features all Energy Star® homes.  The 141 units feature the Energy Efficient Roof (EER) System by MonierLifetile (MLT) in addition to building features such as tight insulation, LoE 3 windows, tankless water heaters, Title 24-14 seer air conditioning compressors, and Energy Star appliances.  They are able to offer the homes in the Arboleda community at prices competitive to standard built homes without the Energy Star features.  According to Robert Buckheister, vice president of operations for D.R. Horton’s Central Valley division, “Lighting and insulation codes have already changed and there will be more changes and new requirements as Title 24 evolves.”  Title 24, part 6, is the California Energy Efficient Standards for Residential and Non-Residential buildings.  The Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Non-Residential Buildings were established in 1978 in response to a legislative mandate to reduce California's energy consumption.  The standards are updated periodically to allow consideration and possible incorporation of new energy efficient technologies and methods.

         In Ft. Worth, Texas, Ramon Roofing is working on a “green” custom home in the Kaleidoscope of Homes in Montserratt which will feature sustainable building products throughout, including the Energy Efficient Roof System on the 150 square tile roof.  Ramon Roofing actively promotes the MLT system when getting inquiries from homeowners and builders who are interested in energy efficient roof options.  He sees it as a trend that will continue.  “Aesthetically, people like the look of concrete tile and homeowners like the look of some of the components such as the Vented Eave Riser; I’ve had people ask for it specifically,” said Paul Ramon.

         Dave Petersen, of Cazares Group, Inc., in Houston, Texas, appreciated the systems approach from the outset.  He has found that educating the marketplace regarding the benefits of the system has been necessary.  “The Energy Efficient Roof System costs a little more to build, but the payback in energy savings comes within a short time as supported by studies at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory,” said Petersen.  “It’s a true education process from roofer to builder to homeowner and is a key to all segments of the buying process,” Petersen added.  Cazares Group bids every project with MLT’s Energy Efficient Roof System on all tile roofs they install, offering both an EER and a standard tile roof option.  These bids provide the builders and homeowners the upfront cost difference between the two systems during the early budgetary stage of building.  “Anytime you give a homeowner two distinctly different prices along with optional components, it always leads to dialogue and provides the opportunity to discuss the advantages of the EER system offers,” said Petersen. 

         Another Texas roofing company, Reyvin Roofing, promotes the Energy Efficient Roof System in the Austin area.  Jerry Reyes, co-owner of Reyvin Roofing, has found increased interest in the system due to the hot summers in Texas and the system’s ability to reduce cooling costs.  Reyes attends trade shows to educate builders and homeowners on the benefits of the system using a display that shows the various components installed with tile.  Reyes said that, “It’s a system that sells well due to our hot summers and also due to the fact that for a small additional investment homeowners know they will recoup the cost in energy savings.”

         Newell Roofing in Reno, Nevada has installed nearly 500 tile roofs using the Energy Efficient Roof System.  Bill Burke, general manager of Newell Roofing, said, “In presentations to builders, we found that the option was an affordable upgrade and that the system sold itself.” Newell Roofing uses the Energy Efficient Roof System on every roof they build utilizing the Elevated Batten System, Vented Eave Riser, Zephyr Roll and additionally, Tile Ply, in the place of 30 lb. underlayment, which further extends the life of the roof.  In Nevada, the acceptance of the system was immediate due to the fact that the industry standard is to install on battens in northern Nevada. 

         According to Burke, “I’ve been installing tile roofs for 20 years and this is the first system I’ve seen that really makes a difference in the life expectancy of the roof.”  He added, “With this system, the roof can breathe and it can dry.  And, the consumer will benefit from increased energy savings over the standard tile roof without the Energy Efficient Roof System enhancement.”

         Concrete roof tile manufacturer, MonierLifetile, has spent many years doing research into the concept of an Energy-Efficient roof with the goal to reduce energy costs for homeowners, while delivering a structurally superior and sustainable roof.  The Energy Efficient Roof coupled with the inherently sustainable properties of concrete roof tile create a whole system that will help protect the structure for decades while offering the added benefit of energy savings.  Another advantage for cold weather regions is the fact that a tile roof installed with the Energy Efficient Roof system prevents ice damming that plagues other types of roofing materials such as asphalt shingles and wood shakes.

         Several proprietary roof components from MonierLifetile have been developed to create their Energy Efficient Roof System.  Firstly, the Elevated Batten System (EBS) that raises the tile off the deck to create air space.  The EBS provides an effective thermal barrier and air-flow prevents heat build-up.  Secondly, Vented Eave Risers allow additional air space ventilation at the eaves allowing cool air to enter the sub-tile area.  Thirdly, the use of Zephyr Roll at the ridge allows hot air to exhaust and provides ventilation and weather-blocking.  These components, in concert with a light-colored, high-profile tile, help reduce heat absorption and increase air space between the deck and the tile.  The light-color high-profile tile generates the largest reductions in energy costs but the system works with medium and low-profile tiles as well.

         Studies at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory have shown that using the MonierLifetile Energy Efficient Roof System reduces the amount of heat penetrating the conditioned space versus direct-to-deck installations by 50%, resulting in an approximate 20% reduction in energy consumption. 

•••