There are two main types:1. It’s not a good choice if you live in a humid or rain-prone area as the insulation can easily be damaged by a leak. The effective roof insulation layer may range in thickness from 3 to 12 cm, as needed. Extruded polystyrene flat roof insulation has a R-value of 5.0 and is created in several steps. Pros: They’re peel-and-stick cold application, and availability in single, double or triple layer reinforcement make them a popular choice for roofs with at least 1:12 slope. Perlite traps air bubbles inside it, and these are what create the insulation for the roof. Any damage should be repaired immediately to return watertight protection to the roof and prevent further deterioration. Since insulating a flat roof can eat up one-quarter of the total cost of the roof installation, property managers should carefully choose the best kind of insulation to meet their roofing needs. The best insulation for your home will depend on the situation and if you are replacing or supplementing existing insulation. BUR is found in many low slope residential and commercial roofing applications. Repaired using soldering (for aluminum, use fiberglass patches or aluminized caulking). In normal circumstances, wait until 48 hours after a rainfall to clean and inspect the roof. Product Datasheet. If you love the landscape or cityscape around your home, a flat roof can help complement that without obscuring the view. However, due to manufacturing variances, the limitations of your monitor resolution and the variation in natural exterior lighting, actual colors may vary from the images you see. Please refer to our Legal Notices for U.S.A. or our Legal Notices for Canada. Cold roof systems are highly inadvisable as insulation from the inside will inevitably lead to the formation of condensation. This situation is suited for cold weather climates. IKO manufactures products for specific areas in North America. This is why most flat roofs use large squares or single sheets of materials. This could mean flat roofs may not raise the same red flags they used to among prospective homeowners who may want to replace or remodel the roof once they move in. As your local roofing company, Roof Masters will help you pick the best one for your home. (See more details here). We recommend having at least 20 r … Like wood fiber, it’s also painted with asphalt to increase its moisture absorption and tolerance. While they’re easier to install, especially over large surfaces, flat roofs do have their quirks. On the other hand, a “warm” (or hot) roof is one where the insulation is installed above the deck. While expensive, the best insulation is PolyISO rigid foam. Is it more expensive that a steeper pitched alternative? There are also a variety of types of insulation available for flat roofs including PIR, tapered insulation, vacuum insulated panels and XPS insulation. Consider geography, budget and use for the roof to determine the best option. It's recommended that you install foil-backed insulation in your roof to an R value of R1.0 or higher. Euroroof Mastergold Flat Roof Membrane They take less time to apply and although they can be somewhat more expensive, they remain within 10% to 20% of the cost of other methods. The type of insulation you should choose will depend on the type of roof you have. The simplest and cheapest roof insulation is the classic cold loft option. Such an insulating solution involves applying several layers of PUR foam, with each layer around 1–2 cm thick. Let’s take a look at how the most common types of flat roof insulations rank according to R-value. A note to consider before construction: if insulation is installed below the flat roof deck this is called a “cold” roof. This is a kind of glass made from volcanic ashes that have been pressed and refined, and combined with organic fibers and binders into a board. It is produced as a foam and is unique in that its R-value further increases as it thickens. The insulation is placed below the waterproof covering and is either mechanically fixed or bitumen bonded on to the top of the deck. Hot roof . FlatRoof Lite 2: Comparison of non-insulated and inverted roof designs. This may make it less ideal for rainy or snowy climates. Because they are applied in a single layer on often expansive roofs, they come in large rolls which may require the use of heavy equipment to get the product to the rooftop. Closed-cell polyurethane spray foam will prove ideal for thermal insulation of a flat roof. According to the Energy Saving Trust, a quarter of heat is lost through the roof in an uninsulated home. Roof coatings (manufactured for existing roofs and used to extend their service life by 10-15 years). It is incumbent upon the owner of a flat roof to regularly inspect and maintain the roof. Flat roofs are a cost-effective option for homes – thanks to generations of use in commercial flat roof construction, modern materials and application techniques – as viable, protective and long-lasting alternatives to pitched roof counterparts. Underneath the basics, flat roofs are usually constructed with a ceiling, nailed to joists which support a deck (usually wood in residential construction), a vapor barrier, insulation and a roof board. Derbigum Flat Roof Membranes. A new form of blown fiberglass mixes two types of glass that naturally curl. If the top layer of gravel needs to be replaced or replenished, consult a roofing professional for proper application over the surface of the roofing material. It has the advantage of multiple layers, but needs fewer layers than built up roofing and is less messy to apply. To ensure we feature the products available in your area, please select your country and state/province. Foam is a popular type of roof insulation. Flat roof – there are three options available: warm deck, cold deck or inverted roof. Call us today at (888) 889-7551 to learn more about our services. Inverted warm deck roof The insulation boards in an inverted warm deck are laid over the structural deck and the waterproof covering. These are just three of the many insulation types available for flat roofs. Once they are in place you can then plasterboard over them and decorate to create the desired living space. Cold Flat Roofing: Insulation is placed in-between the joists underneath the roof surface above. By using this website you accept our use of cookies and the. We cover this in detail in our project about the construction of a flat roof, including the three types: Cold Roofs; includes an air space in the roof construction. Generally, roofers discourage this method for cold climates because it can promote condensation and requires ventilating the roof, which may be difficult to do in small or tight spaces. At Roofgiant, we stock warm and cold roof options for both flat and pitched roofs, providing you with everything from PIR to foil insulation to rafter roll and many other forms of insulation designed for your loft or attic space. Understanding relative R-values will help rank the comparison of various materials choices. From the start, you’ll likely have questions, including: is a flat roof the right choice for a home? In the case of a flat roof, insulation is usually in the form of either a rigid board above the deck, or a fibrous quilt immediately above the ceiling, depending on the type of roof construction. In this post, Roof Masters discusses the three most common insulation types for flat roofs. Insulation is an essential energy-saving feature for any home. Not suitable for inverted roofs. Powerdeck ® F A flat roof insulation board for use in built-up felt and single ply membrane waterproofing systems. Here are a few of the most common insulation solutions available: Loose Insulation – fiberglass or recycled fiber materials. Cold loft insulation for pitched roofs. Do you have a flat or pitched roof? This roof layout is regu - Some observers suggest it’s harder to replace a flat roof than a traditional pitched shingle roof because of the labor required to remove its layers (especially on older flat roofs). It is top quality and the most cost effective product for your flat roof. With a wealth of experience in the Industrial sector as well as the domestic Insulation markets. Filed Under: Roofing Tagged With: flat roofs, roof types, wood fiber, Excellent! This is then covered with a further weatherproofing layer. Nowadays, flat roofs have the ‘warm roof’ type. From there, the flat roof system you choose will determine the materials you apply. This insulation is placed between organic and non-organic felt. The type that is right for your flat roof insulation job depends upon the state of the roof, expert opinion on the best type, and your budget. Insulating a flat roof with Recticel Powerdeck U Recticel’s Powerdeck U offers 0.024 u-value for thicknesses 120mm or more so it’s a great thermal insulator as well as a strong and stable board for structural integrity. As few points of sealing as possible will reduce potential for leakage. Wood Fiber. These offer lasting protection against snow, ice and elements – and hold up well to foot traffic on low-slope roofs. 1. Education is the key to choosing a flat roof that fits your budget, style and geography. Keep in mind, all flat roofs have a slope of between five and 15 degrees to allow water to flow into drain systems (such as eaves, drainage holes or outlets). It has a modest water tolerance, which is further enhanced by painting a thin layer of asphalt on the boards. The highest R-value per inch is the best, and this helps determine flat roof insulation thickness for building regulations. Pitched roof. A note to consider before construction: if insulation is installed below the flat roof deck this is called a “cold” roof. Spray foam insulation (sprayed directly onto the roof deck and then coated with acrylic or urethane coating, as well as a layer of crushed stones/sand.2. The R value is a measure of a material's resistance to … The polystyrene is heated and then exposed to the atmosphere. They are typically installed on top of single ply, modified or low slope metal roofs. This guide explores the different types of flat roof insulation, their benefits and the installation options available. Solar panels also are popular among homeowners and are much easier to install – and hide from view – on a flat roof. Washed roofing gravel is used as heavy protection against mechanical impact and UV-attack. Both a flat and a pitched roof can be provided with insulation in both ways. We recommend consulting a roofing professional who is fully versed in rooftop safety techniques and precautions. Hail can create a great deal of damage to the roof surface. Here is a diagram of a typical warm roof: There is a wide variety of flat roof materials available, each with its own advantages and drawbacks. And then the roofing, with its … A basic inspection is suggested twice a year and after any major rain storms. What about ongoing maintenance? 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