Warm Roof Cold Roof Insulation

Introduction warm cold roofs this guidance offers guidance on the difference benefits between warm and cold roofs.

Warm roof cold roof insulation. The thermal efficiency isn t as good as with warm roof. Insulation is placed over and between the wooden joists above the ceiling of your home s top floor. It has s insulation layer above the rafters and immediately below its weatherproof membrane. If an existing cold roof is to be refurbished consideration should be given to converting the design to a warm roof or incorporating new insulation into the roofing system to improve thermal performance.

A cold roof has the insulation placed below the structural deck which thus remains cold. Cold loft insulation for pitched roofs. Typically a gap will have to be left for ventilation because this is a cold area. The vapour control layer is above the decking but below the insulation.

With a warm roof the insulation is installed on top of the existing surface rather than in between the rafters. The insulation can be adhered mechanically fixed or loose laid. A cold flat roof insulation requires more work taking off old boards and replacing them and the roof surface. A warm roof construction has many benefits over a traditional cold roof essentially it is a breathable roof.

If you have been considering a new roof installation looking into adding insulation to your home or are planning to build a new house you may have heard people talk about hot roof and cold roof systems. Installing a warm roof can be extremely straight forward and simple to do. Ventilation is required for these roofs. Cold deck roof 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.

This construction relies on a vapour control layer working effectively and in tandem with a continuous ventilated airspace to disperse the water vapour to atmosphere before it reaches the cold deck and condenses. This is often just called loft insulation. A warm flat roof or a built up roof bur is one where all the insulation is above the joists deck making them part of the warm fabric of the building. The insulation is immediately below the waterproofing layer.

A warm roof building will make the entire structure of the building warm in an attempt to avoid any cold bridging. The simplest and cheapest roof insulation is the classic cold loft option. Warm roof insulation ensures the entire roof structure is insulated meaning a warm deck roof is more energy efficient than a cold roof. Flat roof there are three options available.

However you may not be familiar with these concepts particularly what they mean and the pros and cons of each. Warm deck cold deck or inverted roof. The breakdown warm roof vs cold roof.