How To Insulate A Flat Roof In Florida

Water leaking into your home puts your home at risk for mold growth which then leads to misery and potential health problems.

How to insulate a flat roof in florida.

If insulation is installed below the flat roof deck this is called a cold roof. Residential requirements for insulation are divided by the location in the home. The correct method for a flat roof is under the current regulations to have a warm roof. Consider geography budget and use for the roof to determine the best option.

Insulation is rated in terms of its thermal resistance. Cold roof systems are highly inadvisable as insulation from the inside will inevitably lead to the formation of condensation. This is then covered with a further weatherproofing layer. Insulation can reduce the amount of heat that flows reducing cooling and heating costs.

Roof types the various types of roofs found on homes sheds garages and other buildings fall into one of the following categories. Gable roofs hip roofs intersecting roofs butterfly roofs mansard. 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. You would only do this however if replacing the roof covering on top and you have the height above the roof to do this.

From there the flat roof system you choose will determine the materials you apply. Moisture penetrating your building materials will eventually compromise the integrity of your home. Cold roof a very bad idea. A note to consider before construction.

Many homeowners also prefer to use a type of insulation to help improve energy usage on the roof. Ceiling insulation must be much higher at r 30 and a raised floor must be at least r 13. Spray foam insulation applied to your attic ceiling can reduce and prevent water damage caused by rain water. Then install r 30 fiberglass batts between the rafters.

Insulation material is placed on top of the roof rather than in between the ceiling and the decking. It should be installed on tapered 2x furring strips in order to slope the surface of the roof to drains. Framed wall insulation must meet or exceed r 13. On winter days heat flows from a warm inside to a cold outside.

Some types of flat roofing material like metal also require insulation to help deaden the sound. Heat flows from warm areas to cool areas. Framing this out and buying 30 r fiberglass insulation will cost you about 50 more than just buying 5 inches of polyiso equivalent of 30 r. In a nutshell you would sandwich 130mm of solid insulation between two decks allowing to place a vapour barrier on top of the first deck.

Generally a rigid insulation board should be used as part of the roofing construction and may be applied over or under the roofing deck. For block walls interior insulation must meet or exceed r 7 8 and exterior insulation must be r 6.