Metal roofingcomes with a number of advantages. It’s incredibly durable and long-lasting. It’s one of the greenest solutions on the market, and it’s aesthetically pleasing. What’s not to love?
High thermal conductivity. That’s not to love.
What’s a builder to do? Insulate. What’s a builder to insulate with? That’s the goal of this article, to help you answer that question.
When it comes to insulation for metal roofs, there are a large number of options available, but we are going to go through only some of them.
It’s worth mentioning that insulation does a lot more than just stop heat transfer. Properly installedmetal roofs do not have to be noisyduring heavy rain, hail, and even extreme wind. Insulation is very effective at reducing those types of noise. Proper insulation with vapor barriers can also reduce moisture. Eliminating moisture is key to decreasing a number ofcommon roofing problems.
Fiberglass Batts
Fiberglass batt insulation is one of the more popular types for roofing. It’s relatively inexpensive, and available in a wide variety of different R-values. In case you’re not familiar, R-value determines thermal resistance. The higher the R-value, the more insulating the material is. Variable R-value is key because different climates need different levels of insulation.
Should you insulate your metal roof with fiberglass batts? If budget is a concern, fiberglass batts can be a great option as they are the least expensive. On the flip side, batts come with a number of challenges. First, the batts can’t easily be shaped around the corners, rafters, and wires you’ll find near your roof. Second, they aren’t particularly good vapor barriers.
The consequence of this is that if the batts become moist, and the moisture isn’t dissipated, they can essentially lose theirentireR-value. Professional installation can decrease the risk of this, as they can install moisture barriers and ensure that airflow allows for moisture dissipation. Nonetheless, professional consensus these days is that batts are no longer the most effective form of insulation for metal roofs.
If you do decide to move forward with batt insulation, be cautious. Fiberglass insulation is basically tiny shards of glass and youdon’twant to breathe it in. Get appropriate PPE, or play it very safe and hire a professional installer.
Rigid Foam Board
Rigid foam board is more expensive than batt insulation, but for good reason because the R-values of foam board are much higher. This is an exterior roofing insulation option (don’t worry, it won’t be placed on top of the metal roof). It’s quite good at soundproofing, and it’s one of the best insulators on the market.
Some of the problems you see in fiberglass batts are present here, as well; it’s rigid, so it’s not easy to move around tight corners or awkward areas. Fortunately, as it’s an exterior insulation option, these problems usually don’t come into play, as the roofing will be placed directly over the insulation.
Note that moisture control is absolutely essential with rigid foam board insulation. Your roof will need to be vented to allow for airflow (and thus moisture control). You’ll also need toapply a vapor barrier,which is simple enough to do.
Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation is, again, more expensive than fiberglass batts. It also tends to have a lower R-value per inch than rigid foam. But if you’re dealing with a project that requires complete insulation, spray foam can be a great option.
As mentioned earlier, Rigid foam boards can be tough to install unless you’re installing a whole new roof because they don’t weave around tight corners and wires. Spray foam, on the other hand, can be sprayed pretty much anywhere. It’s an interior insulator, and wires, small areas, and awkward corners don’t stop it. When you use spray foam, it expands on contact, filling every nook and cranny. That means you won’t have to worry about the roof’s R-value decreasing because of a missed spot.
Spray foam is one of the preferred insulation methods, especially for renovations. The main disadvantages are the aforementioned purchase cost, as well as the cost of installation because unlike batts, you can’t DIY spray foam.
你应该知道喷雾泡沫有两种形式: closed-cell and open-cell. Open-cell spray foam is less expensive but provides a lower R-value. Consequently, it’s most appropriate in areas with very mild weather. Conversely, closed-cell insulation is more costly but provides better insulation. Either form is inherently moisture resistant which means moisture can pass through it, but won’t damage the insulation. Before using spray foam though, always check with the manufacturer to ensure the foam and roofing materials are compatible. To learn more, see thisMCA technical bulletin.
What’s the Best Metal Roof Insulation?
现在，您已经阅读了金属屋顶最常见的三个最常见选择，您可能会问哪个是最好的选择。答案并不明显。这取决于您的项目细节以及您要花费多少。
Looking to go for a low upfront cost? Choose fiberglass batts.
Installing a new metal roof, and want to make sure it’sverywell insulated? Go for rigid boards.
想要进行装修的绝缘材料吗？选择喷雾泡沫。
无论您选择哪种选择，请记住要确保水分不会渗透到隔热材料中，并且您将有一个metal roofthat will last a lifetime.
Thank you to the Team atTranscona Roofingfor providing this content.
About McElroy Metal
Since 1963, McElroy Metal has served the construction industry with quality products and excellent customer service. The family-owned components manufacturer is headquartered in Bossier City, La., and has 13 manufacturing facilities across the United States. Quality, service and performance have been the cornerstone of McElroy Metal’s business philosophy and have contributed to the success of the company through the years. As a preferred service provider, these values will continue to be at the forefront of McElroy Metal’s model along with a strong focus on the customer.
Topics:Metal Roofing,商业的,Residential,配件,Architect Resources
