Best cool roof materials for Torrance’s coastal climate? – GreenBuildingAdvisor

I’m in Torrance as well. The 2 options you mentioned differ substantially in price. What are the details of the rest of the structure? Keep in mind the payback for energy efficiency takes many years to pay back in our costal, windows open 80% of the year climate. For that reason you rarely find people that build or know how to build energy efficient homes around here.

It took me months to find someone even willing to entertain installing polyiso on a residential pitched roof. It was a big struggle working with them to get the details right, and I’m sure many details were missed.

If your structure allows, you can’t go wrong with tile roof over a breathable underlayment. Code even allows unvented cathedral ceilings without exterior insulation/sprayfoam if you have the aforementioned roof buildup.