COOL ROOF

By using radiant barriers and adequate venting, you can reduce the temperature in your home considerably and reduce or eliminate the need for air conditioning. This is now required for new residential construction, but you can also retrofit your home to make it more comfortable. Below are listed several of the best options available. Tom can advise you on which products or combination of products is best for you.

Radiant Barriers

With radiant barrier roof insulation the code requires either solar powered exhaust fans or ridge & eave soffit venting.

TechShield - TechShield became available here in Hawaii about the same time that the new roof Insulation/Venting Ordinance Bill 53 went into effect in 2001. It is a solid panel with a foil radiant barrier attached and can be used for roof sheathing or siding. Contractors in Hawaii who are experienced with this product have warned of the necessity to keep this product dry and covered until it's roofed over. If it's installed and rained on before it gets covered, the edges swell up and will show a visible joint line pattern through composition shingles. With wood shake or tile, this wouldn't be an issue. The little extra care in protecting it is well worth the advantage of being able to install your sheathing and radiant barrier in one step. It's available at several local dealers such as RSI Roofing & Building Supply. The manufacturer, Louisiana Pacific, can be reached at 1-800-450-6108 or online at www.techshield.lpcorp.com.

Astro-Foil - Astro-Foil is a space age reflective insulation material providing 97% reflectivity of radiant heat, something mass insulations just can't do. It consists of polyethylene air bubble pockets sandwiched between thin layers of reflective aluminum foil. It is hung just below the roof sheathing. It is easy to install and economical. Tom highly recommends it in both commercial and residential projects. It is available locally through Innovative Specialties, Ph. (808)488-5767. For more information: www.innovative-specialties.com

Solar Exhaust Fans

Powered by the sun. RSI Roofing & Building Supplies and Skylights Hawaii are local companies that have good selections.

Ridge Venting

There are quite a few brands of roof venting. What is shown here is Shinglevent II-9 for asphalt shingles from RSI Hawaii. www.rsihawaii.com

Skylights

Vented or fixed, skylights bring free natural lighting into your home. Skylights Hawaii offers skylights with special glass that filters out heat and UV rays. Vented skylights are very effective at releasing the hot air that gathers near the ceiling while, at the same time, reducing the need for interior lighting. You can also install the relatively inexpensive Solatubes or Suntunnels to bring natural light into rooms where you wouldn’t be able to install a skylight. www.skylightsofhawaii.com