Do Unicrete roof tiles increase insulation value or help reduce energy use?

A. In typical attic or cathedral vented roof systems (about 99.9% of Canadian residential roofs), all insulation should be on the ceiling level or "warm" side of your structure. You do not want to insulate your roof deck above the vented space, but rather maintain the same outside temperature on your roof deck to prevent ice damming in winter, and heat transfer into the vented attic space in the summer. Unicrete's "Ener-Vent" system is a very effective passive venting system. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory report for the U.S. Department of Energy concluded that "Field measures for the tile roofs revealed a 70% drop in the peak heat flow crossing the deck as compared to a direct-nailed asphalt shingle roof." This helps to reduce air-conditioning needs and greatly increases the homes comfort level in the summer. As well, it will reduce ice damming potential in the winter. In addition this under-tile area can be utilized to increase the efficiency of intake air in HRV's in the winter, ...  more