Insulating family room with flat roof (paint, ceiling, install, insulation)

[zapatero3]

I have a 500 sq ft family room that has a flat hot mopped roof. No insulation on the room, so gets pretty hot during the summer, and pretty chilly during the winter. I live in Southern CA. I have Cental AC/Heat and there are 2 vents in the room. What would be best option to insulate room? Between the ceiling and roof there's probably a foot clearance. Do not have any electrical/lights on the ceiling. (ceiling is drywall)

A roofer recommended a reflective coating on the roof. What is best option: Reflective coating or insulating between roof and ceiling?

I may also plan to put recessed lighting on the ceiling and/or ceiling fan.

Your thoughts/ideas are appreciated.

[Robhu]

There is a silver colored roof sealer and it does tend to reflect heat, but it is not insulation.
My parents had a house with a flat roof years ago. Dad used 4x8 styrofoam sheets 3/4 inch thick for the ceiling instead of drywall. He used 1x2 strips of wood at the seams and at the joists to hold it up. Then painted it all white. It made a big difference. I used the same method in my garage when I put a ceiling in it.
I guess you could put the styrofoam up with the wood strips or add another layer of drywall to cover the styrofoam.
Other than that it seems you would have to remove existing drywall to install the rolled insulation or use some kind of blown in insulation.
And it depends on what kind of appearance you want.
The styrofoam sheets are easy to work with because it is so light weight and easy to cut. And it dont make you itch. But you have to be carefull handling it because it breaks easy.
Just one option. There are others.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Reflective paint isn't insulation!
Here's what I'd do- Since you plan to install recessed lights, Determine your layout, cut the holes, rough-in the electric, then use those holes to blow the ceiling cavity full of insulation.
And remember to use IC cans for your recessed lights.