Tips for Insulating Roofs

Insulating roofs is a really important consideration for both residential and commercial properties. Roofing materials like cedar shakes, clay tiles and asphalt tiles already have some insulation value, however metal roofs and plastic corrugated roofs have none whatsoever. If you are just doing a roof replacement for your tool shed or porch, you may think that heat loss and the effects of the sun really don’t matter. Then again, you may never have spent much time in an oven or freezer.

Ask any of your local roofers. Structures with a metal roof is totally subject to the external weather factors. Metal is a great conductor and as the sun’s UV rays heat up the metal surface, all that heat is conducted to the interior. That does matter when you are storing tools and equipment and hope to work in there as your shop. Also in winter, those freezing temperatures encroach upon your bones, straight through the metal and any heat you may have had flies out through the roof.

Following are some tips to keep your environment stable and your energy bills low.

1. Check the R-value of the insulating material. The higher the value, the more insulating property it contains.
2. Fiberglass is a good thermal insulation product if you are on the lower side of your budget. However, remember, the better the insulating factor, the less energy and money you will lose.
3. Rigid board is more expensive, but it has an excellent R- value and is much easier to work with than Fiberglass
4. Radiant barrier insulation is highly effective and good when used with a thermal insulator.
5. Bubble insulation is not effective.
6. Spray foam breaks and packs to easily and is not as effective for insulating roofs.

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Comments

2 Responses to "Tips for Insulating Roofs"

Loft Insulation Spray says:
March 21, 2012 at 5:46 AM

Nice tips. Those who want to get their attics insulated via DIYs would be able to make the most of this post. Great job.

Roofing Contractors in Houston says:
May 23, 2012 at 8:41 AM

Another thing to consider is radiant barrier. This will help you a ton. Never fall for the trick that some hack roofers try by telling you that radiant barrier can be put on top of a roof, it must always be installed in you attic. If not installed in your attic, which would be called radiant heat, your going to be conducting heat.

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