Comparative Study of Different Types of Roof and Indoor Temperatures in Tropical Climate

A roof provides protection to be safe from direct sunlight. From the shelter, shadow alone is not expected. Durability, sustainability, less life cycle cost, and low maintenance cost are expected from a selected roof. The world has a thirst to have a best roof. No roof will fulfil the requirement of humanity since the climatic conditions are different. Hence the roof should be selected according to the prevailing climate. And the roof selection depends on the need, taste and the spending capability of the house owner. Thatched shed, tiles covered roof, light roofs either using galvanized sheets or asbestos sheets, painted or unpainted metal sheets, RCC, Green roof, Roof pond, insulated roof, reflective roof, and cool roof are the roofs so far brought into use. Whatever be the roof, it should provide thermal comfort. Thermal comfort is felt through the thermal experience of the occupants. Thermal experience depends on the indoor temperature. Energy efficiency of a building is highly based on the indoor ambient temperature. Energy efficiency in buildings is compelling, cost effective, saves money and useful to compromise resource energy shortage. A light roof named as Single Decker (SID) and an insulated double roof using hybrid technique named as (DOD) are taken for this study. Among the selected roofs the DOD provides a better thermal performance and thermal comfort. The study has been carried out for the summer peak period in April 2014. Thermal performance and indoor temperature of the DOD is compared with other roof studies.