Championing the Tile Roofing Industry

We understand the real-world challenges of the tile roofing industry. That’s why we created this study to find the true benefits of terra cotta tile outside its timeless beauty and unmatched durability.

Data Driven Insights

Saving you money on your energy bill

Industry leader on information for +50 yrs

About the Project

The Tile Roofing Energy Cost Savings (TRECS) Study

In 2024, the Tile Roofing Industry Alliance launched a multi-year Tile Roofing Energy Cost Savings (TRECS) Study in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy to validate the superior energy benefits of concrete and clay tile roofing versus common asphalt shingles.

The Issue:

Proving the inherent energy advantage of tile roofing over other steep-slope roofing products.

What We Know: Attic temperatures are lower under tile roofs.

This Means That:

HVAC systems do not work as hard
Insulation is more cost effective
Conditioned spaces stay cooler
Energy is saved / Homeowners save money
Potential in shift of peak demand to lower energy costs

What The Industry Thinks: All roofing products with the same reflectivity values save the same.

The Solution:

The Tile Roofing Energy Cost Savings (TRECS) Study.

Our study is paving the way to a new understanding for savings by:

Conducting new research that has never previously been performed using real-world performance data
Measuring temperatures:
1. At the roof deck
2. In the attic space
3. Air-conditioned space
Providing three years of actual field performance.
Quantifying and validating the the actual energy usage reduction under a tile roof.
After three years, Oak Ridge National Labs will review and certify the results.

Concrete and Clay Tile Roofing vs Common Asphalt Shingles

Photo of a set of stations in VA.

The TRIA is performing a nation wide experiment to collect real world data on the energy benefits of using Terra Cotta Tiles vs Asphalt Shingles. Continue reading to discover the shocking results!

The diagram shows the station build configuration as well as the sensor locations.

How Do We Test?

10 Code Defined Climate Locations:

Climate Zone 1 (Hot Humid) South Florida
Climate Zone 2 (Warm Humid) Orlando, Florida
Climate Zone 3 (Warm Dry) Phoenix, Arizona
Climate Zone 4 (Dry) Rialto, California
Climate Zone 5 (Warm Humid) Fort Worth, Texas
Climate Zone 6 (Marine Dry) Portland, Oregon
Climate Zone 7 (Marine Moist) Marian, Virginia
Climate Zone 8 (Dry) Reno, Nevada
Climate Zone 9 (Moist) New Lexington, Ohio
Climate Zone 10 (Cold Dry) Wisconsin

The Results

During the summer months in the sunbelt region of the US our preliminary data seem to indicated a nearly 10°F drop in attic temperature on average relative traditional asphalt shingles

The Data

Gallery

Contact TRIA Today to Learn More

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We’re eager to hear from you!