CPAC Monier Cool Roof System

[JohnG]

Anyone had any experience of the CPAC Monier Cool Roof System, with an insulating reflective barrier under the tiles and vents in the eaves and ridge tiles to get a good flow of air?

I saw a brief mention of this here from a few years ago but nothing since, despite lots of threads here and elsewhere about the importance of venting the attic space which would seem to be the perfect answer to.

Any ideas if it is still going, as there doesn't seem any mention of it anymore on the CPAC website?


..... and I'm still after a decent builder in Loei / Khon Kaen / Udon, if anyone has any ideas or recommendations!!

[terp80]

Anyone had any experience of the CPAC Monier Cool Roof System, with an insulating reflective barrier under the tiles and vents in the eaves and ridge tiles to get a good flow of air?

I used a CPAC tile roofing system on my house. The attic is vented, front and back, with an exhaust fan if needed. I also installed 6" of insulation above the ceiling. You can view my thread beginning about page 19. The roof was done by the CPAC crew and came with a 5 year warranty because the CPAC supervisor was in control of everything, including the steel work. See: https://teakdoor.com/construction-in-...n-kaew-19.html (Newbie Build in Chiang Mai (Don Kaew))

[Norton]

Anyone had any experience of the CPAC Monier Cool Roof System,

I used the CPAC CoolRoof reflective foil on my place. Works well. Purchased at Home Mart. Ten years ago so may not still have it. Noticed other brands are now available. Not sure this answers your question re "CPAC Monier Cool Roof System".

https://teakdoor.com/construction-in-...ml#post2204992

[Stumpy]

I have same as above as Terp. What specifically are you wanting to know JohnG?

[JohnG]

I have same as above as Terp. What specifically are you wanting to know JohnG?

Generally, anything that will help me get a decent house built!

Specifically, whether the vent system works or not - I can get the foil anywhere, but its the vent system that seems pretty unique and a good idea.

Thanks.

[JohnG]

Anyone had any experience of the CPAC Monier Cool Roof System, with an insulating reflective barrier under the tiles and vents in the eaves and ridge tiles to get a good flow of air?

I used a CPAC tile roofing system on my house. The attic is vented, front and back, with an exhaust fan if needed. I also installed 6" of insulation above the ceiling. You can view my thread beginning about page 19. The roof was done by the CPAC crew and came with a 5 year warranty because the CPAC supervisor was in control of everything, including the steel work. See: https://teakdoor.com/construction-in-...n-kaew-19.html (Newbie Build in Chiang Mai (Don Kaew))

Many thanks.

I had actually had a look at your thread before, but I was put off by the 80+ pages and as it was two floor in CM I didn't think it would be very relevant to me.

I should have persevered!

I'll read the whole lot as there might be more in there that will help me - I had no idea, for example, that CPAC would be interested in building a complete roof including metal frame, etc.

Obvious question on the vent system is "does it work" and are you happy with it now that you are living with it?

I'll read the complete thread (its Songkran still - what else can I do?) and doubtless I'll have some more questions.

Again, thanks

[terp80]

Specifically, whether the vent system works or not - I can get the foil anywhere, but its the vent system that seems pretty unique and a good idea.

Mine seems to work fine. My house heats up to 29 degrees at the highest during very hot days. With outside temps at 34-36. Usually it's 28 inside in the afternoon. At that temperature a fan is sufficient to keep it pleasant. The sun does not heat the house up much. What keeps the house warmer than I like is the fact that, at this time of year, the low temperature is not low enough. This means the house gradually gets warmer and warmer as the days go by. So, with this system, it's not the sun per se.

[koman]

Specifically, whether the vent system works or not - I can get the foil anywhere, but its the vent system that seems pretty unique and a good idea.

The venting is critical. If you don't vent the attic space, the heat will be trapped inside. With venting located properly you will get strong convectional air flow which draws in cooler air from the lower vents and blows the heated air through the higher ones. The trick is to keep the air moving through the attic space.

Extractor fans are sometimes used to improve the airflow, but if the insulation and venting is done well, fans are more than likely not necessary.

On a really hot day, the air coming out of our outflow vents is like a jet engine, so we know the theory is working.....

I have the same setup T80 describes above (he probably stole it from me--) and it works very well. The inside temperature will largely depend on the amount of sun the house gets... especially the windows....as well as the materials used for the outside walls etc. Good roof insulation and venting will have a much more limited effect if the rest of the building is a heat-sink.

[Norton]

The attic is vented, front and back, with an exhaust fan if needed. I also installed 6" of insulation above the ceiling.

I did not use CPAC Cool Roof Systems on my place. Had a good builder who essentially replicated their process for about 30% less than quote from CPAC. Same as terp except a vent at roof peak rather than exhaust fan.

Finding a good builder is obviously key. Good luck with that John. I'm visiting a good builder here in Roi Et next week. I'll ask if he knows one in your area.

[JohnG]

Anyone had any experience of the CPAC Monier Cool Roof System, with an insulating reflective barrier under the tiles and vents in the eaves and ridge tiles to get a good flow of air?

I used a CPAC tile roofing system on my house. The attic is vented, front and back, with an exhaust fan if needed. I also installed 6" of insulation above the ceiling. You can view my thread beginning about page 19. The roof was done by the CPAC crew and came with a 5 year warranty because the CPAC supervisor was in control of everything, including the steel work. See: https://teakdoor.com/construction-in-...n-kaew-19.html (Newbie Build in Chiang Mai (Don Kaew))

Exhausted - just finished all 83 pages in one go!

Lots of very good and valuable thoughts, some of which I will try to use in my own build.

The CPAC / Monier system I meant is actually slightly different to the one you have, with the vents being built into the roof itself by using special vented ridge tiles. I think I'll have to check with CPAC if it still exists or not.

http://http://www.nationmultimedia.c...s_30113547.php

Again, VMT for a very interesting and informative thread.

[JohnG]

Specifically, whether the vent system works or not - I can get the foil anywhere, but its the vent system that seems pretty unique and a good idea.

The venting is critical. If you don't vent the attic space, the heat will be trapped inside. With venting located properly you will get strong convectional air flow which draws in cooler air from the lower vents and blows the heated air through the higher ones.

Thinking about it again, I can't help wondering if putting a foil barrier under the roof tiles without having any vents along the ridge, which actually goes over the ridge, is such a good idea. While it would reduce the heat coming in, wouldn't it be equally effective at stopping all that hot air going out and sealing it in, at least to the level of whatever vents you have?

I know nothing about heating / cooling beyond what I can recall from school about radiant, conducted and convected heat, but wouldn't it be better in addition to insulating the ceiling (with some some vents, again) to have some form of perforated barrier to let the hot air back out, or to leave out any insulation from the top metre or so, letting the air ventilate through whatever vents or spaces there are?

[terp80]

Thinking about it again, I can't help wondering if putting a foil barrier under the roof tiles without having any vents along the ridge, which actually goes over the ridge, is such a good idea. While it would reduce the heat coming in, wouldn't it be equally effective at stopping all that hot air going out and sealing it in, at least to the level of whatever vents you have?

Your welcome, JohnG. I'm glad you found it interesting.

It's my understanding that the foil keeps the heat between the roof tiles and the foil barrier itself, so that even up at a higher level than the vents, it will still be cooler. I have never been up there on a hot day, so I can't say for sure. However, I can say that, with that system and the 6" of insulation, the second floor stays relatively cool, and I do not get the feeling that the sun is having any noticeable effect. It is a little bit warmer than the first floor, but that seems to be the normal variance caused simply by hot air rising.

[Stumpy]

I did not use CPAC Cool Roof Systems on my place. Had a good builder who essentially replicated their process for about 30% less than quote from CPAC. Same as terp except a vent at roof peak rather than exhaust fan.

JohnG, I stand corrected, I used SuperTruss roofing structure but CPAC tiles with the vented slots. My place also has the reflective foil and the insulation. As Norton noted it was significantly cheaper then the CPAC combo price. I also have the attic vented eave covers and each peak of the house has the slotted vent for air cross flow. In fairness I cannot comment on how effective it all is. I have not yet lived in it as it was just finished.

Finding a good builder is obviously key.

This cannot be emphasized enough. It is paramount to have a good builder.

I will say that there are some of us that have no issue with the heat so it is not a deal breaker(me being one of them). However I did my due diligence research wise to make the house efficient as possible.

As Terp noted and you stated, saturation is the big element in the heat game. At the risk of being called Capt Obvious here, If the temp is 95 during the day and only drops to 80 at night heat simply does not dissipate. Like when I lived in Las Vegas and for those in Arizona etc. Once that heat soak happens it simply doesn't matter anymore. The house materials are saturated. Your only option is run the AC all the time but as soon as you shut it off the temp quickly rises(why I insisted on having ceiling fans throughout our place). You can combat the heat issue a bit with build designs by having longer eaves to keep sun at peak off the walls, build a single story house to eliminate huge wall surface area, build it on stilts(columns as I did), add shade trees near the home and keep the cement around the house to a bare minimum. Other than that, it is what it is.

In the end, most people just run the AC all the time, to each his own. I personally do not like AC.

[JohnG]

Many thanks again.

Ours will be single storey, so insulated ceilings, foil, vents top and bottom and ceiling fans (+ a/c for emergencies). Heat is actually not so much of a problem where we are as we're on the way up to the hills which are noticeably cooler than the town / valley,, even in the summer.

Just gotta find that builder .....

[Stumpy]

Many thanks again.

Ours will be single storey, so insulated ceilings, foil, vents top and bottom and ceiling fans (+ a/c for emergencies). Heat is actually not so much of a problem where we are as we're on the way up to the hills which are noticeably cooler than the town / valley,, even in the summer.

Just gotta find that builder .....

Any time JG,

We live up north in the foothill area and it is quite a bit cooler than in the open plain areas as you mentioned. We also seem to have a very nice daily breeze which is why we opted for large windows.

Good Luck

Cheers

[Boon Mee]

Although insulated metal roofs are not the most aesthetically pleasing to the eye and won't win any architecture awards they are an alternative. Recently did a remodel using insulated metal sections and it reduced the heat load significantly in that house.

[Racin]

John,
I wanted the same ventilation system as you asked about from CPAC. They say the do not have it any more due to lack of interest from buyers!

[Bettyboo]

The venting is critical.

Nonsense. I didn't do any ventilation or roof/wall insulation at my place.
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Gets bloody hot in the house, and the electricity bills are extortionate. Glad I don't actually live there!

If the OP needs any tips on building a garage or kitchen, I would be pleased to help out there too.

[Koetjeka]

Doesn't CPAC Monier have ventilation tiles like these?
If they don't, another company might have them.

[Deck Ape]

I built a house 6 years ago and paid a lot of attention to passive cooling within the house and roof system. This pic here shows a DIY gable vent (there are four) and the ridge vent tiles for the CPAC cool roof system. That cool roof system was well designed...it made a good ridge vent, which allows the cooling air from below to 'wash' the underside of the tiles evenly.



This one shows the eaves vent (upper left corner) which runs around the entire perimeter of the eaves. It is a DIY job, with ordinary mosquito net installed before the cement board went on. It ended up sporty looking and has a very high net free area.



Also I installed these in the ceiling of every room. They are ordinary vents with mosquito netting attached. They allow the hot air at the ceiling level to travel upwards, turning the whole house into a big convective cooling system.



All of these vents (plus the foil) do their part, but I am particularly fond of the ones in the ceiling. The house seems to stay pretty cool.

Here is the whole story. https://teakdoor.com/building-in-thai...ngo-house.html (Deck Ape's Big Gringo House)

JPR2 has all the right ideas for passive cooling in his post above. Also, I think the idea that this place does not cool down at night means that a high thermal mass roof like tiles is not the best thing. A white standing seam Colorbond roof is probably best. I pushed for Colorbond when I built my place but that was the one argument that the old lady was determined to win.

[ThaiNick]

Hi John, I am currently building in Yang Talat (Kalasin) with a good builder.
After 34 years in the building industry in Oz, I have a pretty good idea what to look for. I can find out if he will build in your area if you let me know more precisely where you are building?
You are also welcome to phone me on 0918673027.
Nick

[Hugh Cow]

If your main theme is to keep the house cool, wind driven ventilators in the roof with side inlet vents. Reflective aluminium on the inside of the roof with good thick insulation on the ceiling. Good shady trees that keep the direct sun from the walls and roof where possible. The East and west side of the building will absorb the most heat. A verandah on these sides will help although a verandah right around the house is better. Deck Apes ceiling vents are also helpful especially on low humidity days. An addition of fans on the ceiling vents will help by drawing a lot more air through the house. Houses made from brick and concrete are slow to heat up and slow to cool down as they end up as a big heat sink and will be releasing heat through the cool of the night.
Gree airconditioning make a solar powered split air conditioner that will run predominantly on solar power when available. They claim power savings of up to 97%. (no I don't work for Gree) Other brands may have a similar hybrid air conditioner.