Are Your Shingles Title 24 Compliant?
Check the packaging label. A steep-slope shingle passes when its Cool Roof Rating Council rating shows an aged solar reflectance of at least 0.20 and a thermal emittance of at least 0.75, or a solar reflectance index of 16. An unrated asphalt shingle is assumed to reflect only 0.08 and fails.
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When the test applies
Only to a steep-sloped re-roof that replaces more than half the roof in climate zones 4 and 8 to 15, or a new home in zones 10 to 15. Exceptions and the low-slope rules are on re-roofing and cool roofs; confirm your zone on the climate zone page.
What the label must show
Section 10-113 requires a clearly visible packaging label listing the emittance and the initial and aged solar reflectance, or a CRRC Rapid Rating, and the product must be rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council. An ENERGY STAR listing does not substitute; see Title 24 versus ENERGY STAR.
If only the initial value is listed
The aged value is then derived: aged = 0.2 + 0.70 x (initial - 0.2). An initial 0.25 gives 0.235 and passes. An initial 0.20 gives exactly 0.20. An initial 0.18 gives 0.186 and fails, so an initial reflectance under 0.20 cannot pass by this route.
Emittance and the index
The Energy Code does not distinguish initial from aged emittance, so either counts. The solar reflectance index, calculated from aged reflectance and emittance, may replace both, and a lower emittance can be offset by higher reflectance. The compliance manual notes that many roofing materials in a wide range of colors meet the test.
Unrated products
A product with no certification takes a default aged reflectance and emittance of 0.08 and 0.75 for asphalt shingles, or 0.10 and 0.75 for other roofing. A brand name or a "cool" claim is not a rating; the code asks for the rated values of the specific product and color. If a shingle misses, see insulation requirements for the alternatives that excuse a cool roof.
Common Title 24 Questions
- When is Title 24 required for a home?
- Does a remodel need Title 24?
- Does a room addition need Title 24?
- What plans are needed for a residential Title 24 report?
- How much does a residential Title 24 report cost?
- How long does a residential Title 24 report take?
Frequently Asked Questions
Not by that listing alone. The Energy Commission says ENERGY STAR has different reflectance requirements and none for emittance, and that the Cool Roof Rating Council is the only entity it recognizes for rating cool roofs.
The aged value can be derived with the formula in Section 110.8(i)2, using a soiling resistance of 0.70 for products other than field-applied coatings.
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View all Roofs guides → · Windows and Building Envelope · Title 24 guide