California Title 24 Roofing Requirements: What You Need to Know

If you're planning a roofing project in California, you might be in for a surprise.

Why exactly? Because your roofing materials might not meet the California Title 24 roofing requirements. But don’t worry. The California Title 24 rules are not as complicated as they might seem.

In fact, if you keep reading, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to better understand how Title 24 impacts your home or commercial business—and what you can do to stay compliant.

What Is Title 24 Roofing In California?

California Title 24 is a set of energy efficiency standards that regulate the construction of residential and commercial buildings.

One major element of these regulations, however, is roofing materials, which often requires them to reduce energy consumption and lower the urban heat island effect.

Because these roofing requirements aim to reduce energy consumption and urban heat, many home and business owners use cool roofs as a solution to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat.

The result is a much cooler building with reduced air conditioning costs.

What’s The Purpose of Title 24 Cool Roof Requirements

The purpose of Title 24 is to improve energy efficiency.

But these materials have to meet specific solar reflectance and thermal emittance values depending on which climate zone and building types are used.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Solar Reflectance (SR): Measures how much sunlight is reflected by the roofing material, and a higher number means more reflection and less heat absorption.

• Thermal Emittance (TE): This determines how efficiently, and fast, the material releases absorbed heat.

Once each value is determined, they are combined into a new value called the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI), which is then used to determine if the material meets the Title 24 standard for roofs in California.

Note: Roofing products must be tested and rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) to be considered compliant.

Title 24 Roof Requirement Considerations

Not all roofs were created equal, however, and not all roofs need to meet Title 24 cool roof requirements.

Want to know if your roof falls into this category? Here are some factors to consider:

Location

Different California climate zones have different requirements. And typically, warmer areas in California are the ones that have higher cool roofing demands. These are also the same roofs that may typically require roofs to meet Title 24 rules.

Building Type

Title 24 applies to both residential and non-residential buildings, but these rules can vary.

For instance, commercial buildings typically have stricter requirements, and this is often because they have roofs with lower slopes. Residential roofs, on the other hand, tend to have steeper roof shapes and, as a result, do not always require cool roof materials.

Roofing Material

Some materials naturally meet the standards—such as CeDUR Synthetic Shakes—while others require special coatings or lighter colors to qualify.

If you're unsure whether you need a California Title 24 roof, you should always check with a roofing professional or your local building department.

3 Benefits of Having a Title 24 Compliant Roof

There are several benefits that come with having a roof that is compliant with California Title 24. To name a few:

1. Increased Roof Longevity

Less heat absorption means less thermal expansion and contraction. Why is this important?

It means that roofs meeting Title 24 codes will typically last long and have a longer lifespan than others that do not.

2. Environmental Impact

Title 24 roofs also tend to have a positive impact on the environment. Unlike asphalt roofing materials, metal roofs, heat absorption helps decrease urban heat islands and overall energy consumption.

3. Increased Property Value

Energy-efficient upgrades tend to increase property values of homes because buyers are looking for homes that already have roofing materials that meet California’s Title 24 roofing codes.

CeDUR: A High-Quality California Title 24 Roof Shingles and Shakes

CeDUR synthetic roofing products are an excellent choice for meeting California Title 24 roofing requirements. Here’s why:

In addition to the benefits listed above, your roof will also have the following benefits as well.

Increased Durability

Although they are not made out of cedar wood, CeDUR’s synthetic roofing materials still have the timeless look of natural wood shakes.

And better yet, unlike traditional wood shakes, which can absorb moisture, grow mold, and require frequent maintenance, CeDUR shakes are resistant to water absorption, rot, and insect damage.

This means that they are incredibly durable materials that are also long-lasting and low-maintenance.

Reliable Fire-Resistance

Additionally, CeDUR shakes are Class A fire-rated, which makes them a safe and reliable roofing solution in fire-prone areas in California.

They are also lightweight, which makes installation easier and faster to install.

Appearance

Unlike other synthetic roofing materials that may appear artificial or shiny in direct sunlight, CeDUR shakes are crafted from 50+ unique molds that help ensure their appearance is natural and authentic.

Interested in seeing our synthetic roofing in action? View our gallery!

Meet Title 24 Requirements with CeDUR

Like we said before, California Title 24 roofing codes don’t have to be overwhelming.

If you’re installing a new roof or upgrading an older one, you should always select an option that not only meets compliance standards but also improves your home energy.

Fortunately, CeDUR provides synthetic Shiloh, Live Oak, Golden Cedar, and Walden roofing options.

And if you’re ready to find one of the best Title 24 roofing materials for your property, contact us or request a sample today.