Warm Deck Roof Cold Deck Roof

Guidance advice on warm cold.

Warm deck roof cold deck roof. This cold deck construction is considered problematic in the humid temperate climate of the uk where the effective ventilation of restricted roof voids may be impractical particularly in sheltered built up areas. Introduction warm cold roofs this guidance offers guidance on the difference benefits between warm and cold roofs. Warm roof designs will make the entire structure of the building warm in order to avoid cold bridging an element of the building that allows heat or energy loss. Converting a cold flat roof into a modern warm deck roof can be surprisingly economical.

The breakdown warm roof vs cold roof. Warm deck flat roof. Ventilation is required for these roofs. Contrasted with the cold deck roof this construction has a much lower risk of condensation as the void will be of a comparable temperature to the roof.

The solution warm deck insulation. This system is called warm deck insulation and eradicates the condensation and venting issues associated with the cold deck system. A cold roof design usually leaves a 50mm gap between the top of the insulation and the roof deck above. It is universally recommended that cold deck flat roof construction should be avoided.

A cold flat roof insulation requires more work taking off old boards and replacing them and the roof surface. The insulation in a warm deck roof is installed immediately below the roof membrane on top of the roof deck usually with a vapour control layer underneath the insulation. This allows air to circulate. The simplicity of a warm flat roof makes it one of the most popular designs providing an effective and easy way of insulating a building.

The layer of insulation is essentially placed outside of the roof. Warm roof insulation ensures the entire roof structure is insulated meaning a warm deck roof is more energy efficient than a cold roof. After cleaning preparing the existing roof we install an insulation layer on top creating a thermal envelope with the old roof as the. A cold deck roof is where the insulation is placed between the joists rafters or in between the ceiling joists in the case of a pitch roof.

Provided the existing roof is in a good state of repair and has a suitable structure a warm deck overlay can be applied. The thermal efficiency isn t as good as with warm roof. However this also allows cold air to enter.