Heat Flow Displays

MLT has been actively working to determine the thermal advantages of concrete tiles roofs as a tool for energy conservation. Most of our efforts to date have involved scientific testing to prove how tile roofs compare to other roofing materials – most specifically asphalt shingles. The data developed thus far is very compelling from a scientific perspective, but unfortunately much of this information has been expressed in terms that are far too technical for the average person. It is time to make this information available, and these three simple displays comparing the heat flow with different roofing materials illustrate the benefits simply and directly.

Three identical decks were prepared with different roofing materials applied to each one.

MLT Barcelona tile on EBS with medium reflectivity (.23R) X

Cool pigment asphalt shingle with high reflectivity (.29R) Y

Dark gray laminated shingle with low reflectivity (.10R) Z

Each deck was outfitted with two 500 watt floodlights that generated heat onto the roof decks. Beneath the roof decks was an enclosed insulated attic area that contained heat sensors. The heat sensors communicated the temperatures to the LCD displays mounted at the top of each display.

The photo shown above shows the temperatures that were generated on the show floor at IBS. These examples illustrate that the tile roof maintains a temperature relative to the environment, while the asphalt shingle roof continues to exponentially increase.

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The temperatures in all three displays rose progressively but the overall relation changed very little. The results are shown below:

Dark shingle – Finish (123.1 degrees) X

“Cool” shingle – Finish (116.3 degrees) Y

Barcelona Tile – Finish (76.4 degrees) Z

In essence, the result of this exercise validates the results of the laboratory testing that was done by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Lafarge Roofing Technical Centers (LRTC), and Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC). In all of these studies, it was shown that tile roofs can reduce the heat entering the attic by roughly 50% when compared to asphalt shingles.

In a previous preliminary trial to test the set-up for the IBS show, the lights were set at various distances from the roof decks. The distance from the roofing surface on #1 (Dark Shingle) was 9-inches; #2 (Cool Shingle) was 7-inches and the tile was set at 5-inches. The advantage was given to the asphalt shingle decks but, obviously, it did not help them.

More will be done in the near future to promote our advantages, but Marketing thought you might find this interesting information in the interim.

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1-800-571-TILE (8453) www.monierlifetile.com Internal

0 20 years 30 years 40 years10 years

$10,000

$8,000

$6,000

$4,000

$2,000

$1,000

Concrete Tile Roof

Cost

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Cost

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Roof Lifecycle in Years

Laminated/Architectural Shingle Roof

Least ExpensiveThree Tab Shingle Roof

Cost Comparison of Roof Installation and Energy Costs*For an Average Sized Concrete Tile and Asphalt Shingle Roof Over 40 Years at Current Costs**

1-800-571-TILE (8453) www.monierlifetile.com

Concrete Tile Roofs Result in Energy Savings and a Lower Lifecycle Cost

The average US household energy bill in 2008 will be $2,200, and 50% of this will be spent on heating and cooling costs. Scientific studies have shown that a cool tile roof will save 20% of the heating and cooling costs when compared to a typical shingle roof; a saving of over $200 per year. In the hot Southern States, where cooling costs are higher, this saving will rise to over $300 per year for an average sized home.

And in 20 years or less when a shingle roof has to be replaced, the same tile roof would have provided an energy savings of between $4,000 and $6,000.

It's important to note that the energy costs are stated at current prices and averages of usage. With energy costs more than doubling over the last 20 years, it's reasonable to assume future savings will be greater than stated in this comparison. Additionally, asphalt shingles are a petroleum-based product whose costs continue to escalate, resulting in a higher replacement cost over time.

*Example assumes no inflation in product or energy costs.**Costs based on national averages for installed roof.

Assumptions:

Assumes average standard weight installation cost of $9,000 and average lifecycle of 50 years. Energy savings of $200 per year over 40 years reduces lifecycle cost over 40 years by $8,000.

Assumes average standard weight installation cost of $5,000 and average lifecycle of 20 years. No energy savings and replacement every 20 years.

Assumes average standard weight installation cost of $2,500 and average lifecycle of 10 years. No energy savings and replacement every 10 years.

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