With temperatures rising quickly as summer approaches, many people have already turned on their air conditioners. They may not know, however, that what’s atop their homes may be keeping them from staying cool and comfortable. Dave Mann, president of Patriot Roofing, says “Clay and concrete tiles have been around for thousands of years. They are recycled material. They come from the earth – clay and concrete mines that come from the ground. They have a reflectivity quotient that’s above and beyond any other roofing product that’s on the market.”

Roofing tiles are the only materials that have two natural qualities necessary for energy reduction; they contain natural thermal resistance in the raw materials but also the installation of the individual tiles creates a natural airspace around each tile for ventilation that cools air and enables unobstructed circulation. Mann says that this can keep heat in or out of a home, depending on what is desired, resulting in less air conditioner usage and lower electrical bills.

Mann also says that only eight percent of the US residential market uses concrete and clay roof tiles but the market is warming up to the idea because of the cost-savings. Mann says, “The rising cost of oil and with asphalt shingles becoming more expensive the price points are equaling out now. This is the best product that’s on the market. It lasts the longest. It’s the most efficient and it truly is green.”

Though replacing a roof is a major home improvement project that many homeowners avoid until absolutely necessary, Mann says that changing your roof will drastically change your energy bill. Also, there are many attractive styles of concrete and clay available. “That’s the big misnomer in tile,” says Mann, “that’s its red, round, and heavy. It comes in flat products. It comes in a multitude of colors – blues, greens, browns, and blacks. You can get a concrete and clay roof tile in a round and flat in any color that you want. It’s, in fact, very versatile.”

The Tile Roofing Institute (TRI) has just launched its green building campaign, “Go Green with Tile,” to promote the advantages of going green. The campaign hopes to educate both architects and homeowners about the environmental benefits of clay tile and concrete roofs. Also, they plan to inform homeowners about life-cycle cost, recycling, reflectivity, and sustainability.

“Roofing tiles on average are going to come with a 50-year warranty,” says Mann. “Solar products on average are going to come with a 25-year warranty and any reputable roofing contractor is going to give you a minimum of half of the life cycle of both products as far as labor goes.” Mann believes that these warranties strongly outweigh those “20-year limited warranties” offered by asphalt-based shingle roofing products.

The integration of solar usage and tiles is another green, energy-saving effort that’s becoming popular among homeowners. Mann points out, “They’re more affordable now and they’re making solar roof tiles that actually integrate with the actual tiles themselves so it’s not as ugly. It’s a lot more aesthetically pleasing. It’s walkable. It’s serviceable and a roofer can install it versus having two different contractors, both a roofer and a solar installer – you can just hire one.”