Our insulation installers ensure you get the proper amount of insulation by installing rulers throughout the attic. We install proper baffles at air intakes at the eaves and around heat sources at can lights and hot pipes.

Insulation

Think of this as adding more blankets on your bed… keeping you warmer by trapping more of your body heat in the blankets with you. The more insulation you have the more “conditioned” (hot or cold) air you keep in your house that cannot escape through the ceiling. The less conditioned air that escapes means your AC unit or heater works less (hence it lasts longer from less use), it eliminates drafts in the house, and lowers your energy bills. (The US Department of Energy has more information than even I can read on this subject at http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/insulation)
 
Insulation can usually be added at any time, however, some roofs have small spaces and are better/easily insulated when the roof is off. Ask your Brazil Estimator about insulation. Due to California Title 24 Energy requirements you may be required to install more insulation to comply depending on a differing factors.

Picture of Radiant barrier installed on the bottom of the sheathing. One of the various ways radiant barrier can be installed in a home.

Radiant Barrier

Essentially Radiant Barrier is aluminum foil. Think of putting aluminum foil over your tray of lasagna to keep it warm. The reason you do that is because the properties of aluminum make it a poor conductor of heat, so it does not allow the heat to go through the foil, but instead it reflects the heat back. (This is a very basic explanation.)
 
When placed in the attic or on the bottom of the sheathing; this prevents the transfer of heat from the roof to the attic. It keeps the attic temperature much cooler. (For a detailed discussion on Radiant Barriers the US Department of Energy has more information than you can conduct… or convect? … absorb? Whatever… here you go – http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/radiant-barriers )
 
Note: Radiant barrier needs an air space to work properly. Radiant Barrier Sheathing is optimally installed when installed directly over the rafters with maximum air space.

Solar

As a company we highly recommend that you consider some of these options before you add solar on your roof. Many times we have found that homeowners can lower their energy needs first by upgrading their home in some of the ways listed above, and then it allows them to put on a smaller solar system that fits their real needs making the home more comfortable and energy efficient at the same time. See our Solar page for more information on Solar.<

Elk (now owned by GAF) was one of the first companies to come out with a dedicated “Cool Shingle” line. This is one of the earliest installations of that Cool Shingle line and now every composition shingle manufacturer has a “cool color” or “Energy Star” rated shingle, and with varying colors to choose from.

Cool Roof Color Shingles

– Everyone as a kid has walked around barefoot in the summer and while the lighter color concrete is hot… it was not as blazing hot as the black asphalt in the street. Different colors absorb different amounts of heat. For that reason there is a Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC http://coolroofs.org/) where you can go and find cool roof ratings for different roofing materials and colors. Most composition shingle manufacturers offer a basic “White” color roof at the same price, and they also offer premium “Cool Color Series” of shingles that are made of high reflective premium granules that come at a premium price.

Did you know that in order to obtain a Re-Roof Permit in California you are required to comply with California Title 24 Energy Codes?

There are many other ways to improve your homes energy efficiency. In tile roofing you can use a barrel profile roof tile that allows air to flow under the tile, or you can install a “counter-batten” system or “elevated” batten system under your roof tile that increases air flow and adds an R-value to the roof deck. This air flow under the roof tiles keeps the attic cooler and increase your energy efficiency. Also, there are caulking and foam fillers that can be used to eliminate drafts in the house.

Our professional estimators will answer your questions as to which options will best suit your home improvement needs. Our Re-roof & Solar Estimates are FREE!