No matter whether you live in hot or colder climates, effective roof insulation is extremely crucial in improving the energy efficiency of the building. In cold weather, good insulation is needed to prevent heat loss from the buildings while in hotter climates, it can keep the air significantly cool.
Why your roof requires insulation?
Proper roofing insulation in homes and commercial properties can bring down energy consumption by up to 70 percent. A quarter of energy may escape through the roofs that are not properly insulated. While this is the case with colder climates, in hot and humid areas, a lack of proper roofing insulation may encourage heat transfer. As a result, the property becomes less energy efficient and the energy bills shoot up. Also, the carbon footprint increases while the comfort level comes down.
Every home or commercial building is different. The sizes and dimensions vary, and there are also flat and pitched roofs. You will also have to consider your budget, so there is no size fits all. The heating, as well as cooling requirements of a building, generally accounts for somewhere between 35 and 60 percent of energy demands across the globe. The savings that a building would make by bringing down energy consumption may easily cover the costs of roofing insulation. Considering the amount of money that can be saved through proper roof insulation, curbing down energy use, and carbon footprint, it is something that all building-owners must consider.
How to choose the best roofing insulation?
In case your roof is easy to access and is not plagued with condensation or damping issues, then it will be fairly easy to insulate. While there are numerous DIY projects available online, it’s best to leave the safety of your building to the experts. But there are some important considerations to factor in while deciding on roofing insulation for your building:
Storage space
If you have decided to use the attic or loft for storing items, you would have to lay boards over the joists. But if the insulation is done in between the joists before laying the boards, then the insulation will not be adequately thick. For improving the level of insulation, the level of the floor can be raised so that it can give adequate mineral wool under the level of the floor. This may be done by fitting timber across the joists or you may opt for purpose-built legs built of plastic that can be fit on joists for supporting the new floor. It’s crucial to leave out a ventilated air gap between the boards and insulation for preventing condensation on the board underside. It’s imperative to bear in mind that the mineral wool is not squashed while fitting the boards on the top.
Damp lofts
Insulation prevents the heat from escaping from the home, and this would cool down the space much more efficiently. But this may worsen or introduce a damped condition. If you want to install the insulation by yourself, you must attempt to boost ventilation. It’s best to secure professional advice before installing insulation.
Warm lofting
Another suitable means to insulate the loft is fitting the insulation between and above the rafters. Rafters refer to sloping timbers constituting the roof. Rigid insulation boards can be used hereafter precisely cut to the required size. Another alternative is to spray foam between the rafters. It’s worth noting that this is not a DIY process and you will need the services of a professional to get the job done.
Pros:
- The roofing space is going to be warmer compared to standard loft insulation. This implies that you will not have to worry about frozen pipes and tanks.
- The floor can be boarded for storage without the need for raising it to make way for additional depth.
Cons:
- Insulation at rafter levels is much more expensive compared to standard lofting insulation.
- Besides insulating the roof, it’s also important to insulate the gable walls and chimneys in the lofting space. When these spaces are left uninsulated, then the heat can surpass the new insulation and make it ineffective.
Room on the roof
Many homeowners consider using the loft as a viable space for living or, in case the area is already being used as a living space, then it’s imperative to ensure that the walls and ceilings in between an unheated room and space are insulated.
- Sloping ceilings are also insulated in the same manner as a warm roof. But a layer of plasterboarding can improve the insulation.
- Flat ceilings and vertical walls can be insulated the same way as a standard loft.
It’s important to insulate all the areas of the ceiling and walls around the dormer window. As with warm lofting insulation, it’s obvious that you have to seek professional help. Having a professional installer can ensure that it is done in the right way and enough ventilation is given where needed.
What is the best way of insulating the roof?
Extruded polystyrene is widely revered as one of the top-class materials for insulation. It is used for constructing different parts of the building from basements to floors to foundations and everything that comes in between. The producer of this extruded polystyrene, Technonicol specializes in producing exceptional XPS slabs using nanoscale carbon particles.
This helps in boosting the thermal efficiency along with its strength and durability which, in turn, reduces water absorption to a bare minimum. Some of the most popular variants of extruded polystyrene from the house of Technonicol include Carbon Eco, Carbon Eco Facade, Carbon Prof 30, and Carbon Solid 500.
The Bottom Line
As per the reports of the US Department of Energy, proper insulation of the new and existing construction can save between 10 and 20 percent energy consumption. Before you decide whether you want to carry on with the installation on your own or hire professional services, it’s crucial to examine the condition of the roof very closely. In case the area can be accessed easily and does not show any signs of moisture seepage, then extruded polystyrene can aid in preventing damps in the near future.