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roof insulation

Tips to reduce the heat of your roof

by Editor May 30, 2023

written by Editor

Summers can be troublesome especially if your roof is not insulated. The roof and building stay exposed to the scorching heat of the Sun and get heated. This heats the room which takes longer to cool. The roof is made up of concrete which is a dense material, meaning doesn’t cool down easily. When the day begins to cool, the heat from the roof and walls radiates in the rooms. When the fan is switched on, the hot air from the roof circulates the hot air in the room.

Prepare a shade for your roof
False Ceilings

In buildings that are a work in progress, insulation can be built on the roof. Lightweight foam concrete panels are used to fill in the roof. They are also known as filler slab roofs. The advantages are – there is less consumption of concrete, the structural load is reduced, and the heat retained by the roof is under control.

Ballast Roofing Hire a roof installation service that does ballast roofing. This roofing involves a membrane to be spread over a roof deck with natural stones weighing them down in place. In this roofing system, the stones are used to hold the roof membrane in place while acting as an insulating barrier against the scorching sun. It acts like those old stone houses that stay cooler due to their thick walls. They are mostly inexpensive and can be combined with a rooftop garden to make it more effective.

Ways to Cool Your Roof

Ballasted roofing systems are roofs in which a membrane is laid on the roof deck and held in place by the weight of concrete pavers or natural stones, such as river stones. While ballasted roofing systems don’t meet current Energy Star guidelines for cool roofing options, they do meet the “cool roof” standard for Chicago, which has been one of the earliest adopters of rooftop gardens and other green roofing technologies.
While a rooftop garden isn’t technically a “cool roof,” it achieves many of the same benefits as qualified cool roof products and reduces stormwater runoff to boot.

If you’d rather enjoy the benefits of a cool roof without the addition of new surface materials or coatings, consider a roof mist cooling system. Also called an evaporative cooling system, a roof misting system lowers surface temperatures by spraying an extremely small amount of water across the roof, allowing the water to cool the roof as it evaporates.

You have begun to see a slight increase in popularity thanks in part to newer manufactured tiles containing “cool-coloured” pigments. Developed through a partnership between the California Energy Commission, national research laboratories, and roofing manufacturers, these tiles are produced in earth-toned colours including brown, green, and terra cotta, and many qualify as Energy Star materials for steep-sloped roofs. The cost of these “cool-coloured” tiles is comparable to the cost of traditional roofing tiles

Unpainted metal roofs are naturally reflective (high solar reflectance), but they tend to hold heat in (low emissivity), so they are generally a better choice for steep roofs than for flat or low-sloping roofs, which receive more sunlight throughout the course of a day. A factory-applied cool roof coating can improve the heat releasing properties of a metal roof, enough so that some coated metal roofs are able to qualify as cool roofs.

How to Beat The Summer Heat By Keeping the Roof Cool

Grow a roof Garden

One of the best ways to keep the roof cool is by growing your own rooftop garden with green grass and potted plants. The green roof shades the building from direct sunlight while the mud within the potted plants and the lawn absorbs most of the heat that hits the roof. Before going for a roof garden, make sure that the roof is properly waterproofed so as to prevent any type of water seepage through the external walls or roof slab, which may cause damage to the building.

2. Paints the terraced white

Heat gain can be considerably reduced by turning the roof into a reflective roof surface. How?

Paint the concrete floor with cool roof paints. These paints provide good thermal insulation by reflecting the sun’s rays and keeping the indoors cool. Brands such as Dr Fixit have such products on offer.
A cost-effective way to keep the roof cool throughout summer is by coating the floor with white lime wash, locally known as chuna. One drawback with using lime wash is that it gets washed away during the monsoon season, hence reapplication is required every summer.
For a more permanent solution one can install white ceramic or porcelain tiles on the roof.

3. Add shade

The roof slabs are made of concrete, which is a very dense material – it retains heat for a very long time and then transfers it to the indoors. The temperatures can be controlled by creating shade on the rooftop because shaded areas are cooler than the surroundings.
Go for high walls or trellises along the perimeter of the roof, like in the photo here; this is an interesting way to shade the roof.
Introduce design features, such as pergolas with creepers, to create shade.

4. Go for heat-resistant flooring

Go for flooring materials such as wooden deck tiles or terracotta tiles that do not absorb or transfer as much heat to the lower floors and are comfortable to walk on even during peak summers.

5. Install solar panels

Alternatively, one can cover the roof with solar panels. The solar panels comprise photovoltaic cells and block the heat from hitting the roof, as in his example. Instead, these panels capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity.

Note that the whole roof can be covered with solar panels only in multi-storied buildings or apartment complexes where the roof is primarily used for building services.

A cool roof is one that has been designed to reflect more sunlight and consume less heat than a standard roof. Cool roofs can be made of a deeply reflective type of paint, a sheet covering, or highly reflective tiles or shingles.

Thermal Insulation Cool roofing Coating — Solar Roof

Cool roofs can be made of a highly reflective type of paint, a sheet covering, or profoundly reflective tiles or shingles. Standard or dark roofs can reach temperatures of 150°F or more in the summer sun. A cool roof under the same conditions could stay more than 50°F cooler and save energy and money by using less air conditioning.

Benefits of Cool Roofs

Reducing energy bills by decreasing air conditioning needs
Improving indoor comfort for spaces that are not air conditioned, such as garages or covered patios
Decreasing roof temperature, which may extend roof service life.
Reduce local air temperatures (sometimes referred to as the urban heat island effect)
Lower peak electricity demand, which can help prevent power outages
Reduce power plant emissions, including carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides, and mercury, by reducing cooling energy use in buildings.

Deciding Whether to Install a Cool Roof

If you are building a new home, you can decide during the planning phase what type of roof to install and whether it should be a cool roof. If you want to convert an existing roof into a cool roof, you have three basic options:

Retrofit the roof with a specialized heat-reflective material
Re-cover the roof with a new waterproofing surface (such as tile coating)
Replace the roof with a cool one.

Cost and Energy Savings

A cool roof does not necessarily cost more than a non-cool roof, particularly if you are installing a new roof or replacing an existing one. However, converting a standard roof that’s in good condition into a cool roof can be expensive. Major roof costs include upfront installation (materials and labour) and continuous maintenance (repair, recoating, and cleaning). Additional cool roof costs include specialized materials and labour.

Climate and Environment

Your climate is an important consideration when deciding whether to install a cool roof. Cool roofs achieve the greatest cooling savings in hot environments but can increase energy costs in colder climates due to reduced beneficial wintertime heat gains.

Moisture Control

In warm, moist areas, cool roof surfaces can be more susceptible to algae or mould growth than hot roofs. Some roof coatings include special chemicals that prevent mould or algae growth for a few years.

In cold climates, roofs can accumulate moisture through condensation, and it is possible that cool roofs might be more susceptible to accumulating moisture than dark roofs of the same design. Condensation can be avoided using proper design techniques.

May 30, 2023 0 comment

Building Envelope

Understanding all about Roof Insulation & its importance

by Editor October 9, 2021

written by Editor

The insulation of a roof is just as important as the outer material. Insulation is important to the longevity of your roofing system and has been used for centuries. Over the years, insulation has changed and adapted, but its purpose is the same; keeping heat inside when you need it and outside when you don’t.

The Importance of Roofing Insulation

Insulating the roof of your building 2saves you money every year. By controlling the internal building temperature insulation saves the need for energy. You no longer need as heating and air conditioning. Insulation reduces the amount of energy needed to run the building. Using less energy means you are keeping money in the bank and protecting the environment by leaving behind a smaller carbon footprint.
Roofing is exposed to more environmental pressures than any other part of the building, especially weather. Rain, snow and sun exposure wears away roofing and can cause damage which interferes with insulation and energy savings.

1] What Is Roof Insulation?

Unquestionably, the roof is an integral part of any building structure as it protects the structure against extreme weather. Without it, the walls and even the foundation of any structure are defenseless to damage. A roof that is well-maintained can act as an excellent defense element for the building shielding it from all harsh elements – hence roof insulation is imperative.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy heating and cooling home accounts for approximately 48 percent of the overall energy consumption. And a typical house loses nearly 44 percent of the available energy to poor insulation. Explaining in simple words, deprived of any material blocking it, warm air would rise upwards naturally and cold air will descend – Resulting in abrupt interior temperatures. There may also be significant heat gains through roofs during the summer. This means that insulating a loft, attic or roof is a simple and effective way of reducing heat loss, the size of heating and cooling systems, energy usage and so carbon emissions. Hence if you wish to improve energy efficiency in a home, you would need to work on your home insulation.

Here is a simple video that explains roof insulation:https://www.youtube.com/embed/yOLRh8BqVS4?feature=oembed

2] Different Types Of Roof Insulation

There is a range of different materials available that are easily available for roof insulation, a few of which are comparatively cheap and can be installed without any specialist expertise:

·Blanket Insulation Or Matting Insulation

One of the most common and easiest to install is blanket insulation. These generally come in foil-backed rolls or rafters, and are held in place using timber battens between the rafters or joists. Blanket insulation is usually made of glass wool or mineral but sometimes these are also made from plastic fibers and natural fibers like cotton and sheep’s wool.

·Foam Boards

Rigid panels of insulation that are first cut and then fitted in place. Commonly foam boards are made of polystyrene, polyisocyanurate, and polyurethane.

·Radiant Barriers

Radiant barriers constrain heat transfer by thermal radiation and are more effective in hot climatic conditions. These can be easily stapled to the underside of the rafters. According to studies, this type of roof insulation can significantly gain heat.

·Blown-In Insulation

This type of insulation involves cellulose mineral fibers being blown into a void in the roof space. These demand specialist equipment and expertise, but again, these are very quick to install and are very effective for spaces that have limited access, like the gaps between roof joists.

·Spray Foam Insulation

Here, spray foam is formed of polyurethane, and then it is sprayed as a liquid which slowly expands to up to 100 times its original volume. Once it sets, it creates an effective thermal and noise insulating layer.

3] Advantages Of Insulation

As a homeowner, there are multiple reasons to insulate, here are a few:

Energy and cost efficiency – With efficient insulation, you will save energy and money. Around 30 percent of a building’s heat loss is in the roofing. When an efficient insulation system is properly installed, you are saving both.
Adds an additional layer of protection – It prevents damage in the long run that can potentially come from moisture and ice dams.
Reduces carbon footprint – Insulating your roof is one of the most important energy-saving projects you can complete in your home. Studies suggest that efficient insulation reduces CO2 emissions which aid in combating air pollution.
Prevents the growth of molds – Insulation is the best tool to prevent molds from forming. Because insulation manages the temperature and moisture of a building, it directly affects the growth of molds.

Roof insulation may add to your expenses during construction for now, but soon you would see that you are getting more returns in the term of savings in the long-run.

4] Roof Insulation – Inside Vs Outside

The insulation of your roof can be done either from inside or outside:

Insulating your roof from the outside has many advantages. In addition to avoiding emptying any rooms in the attic, insulation from the outside does not cause a decrease in your living space and limits the risk of thermal bridges. This is a preferred solution if you are renovating a facade or roof. Among other benefits, this technique leaves the frame apparent from the attic.

Insulation from the inside is a suitable solution, mainly in new construction. This roof insulation method is ideal if you have not yet fitted out the attic and allows you to keep the roof covering system unscathed.

5] Things To Consider Before A Roofing Insulation Installation

If you feel that you need roofing insulation, here are a few things you should know and consider more things to know.

Insulate Flat Roof From Above

A flat roof should if possible be insulated from above. A layer of rigid insulation board could be added either on top of the roof’s weatherproof layer or directly on top of the timber roof surface, with a new weatherproof layer on top of the insulation.

Decide Whether To Insulate Your Attic Floor Or Roof

If you plan to utilize your attic space as a bedroom, you need to keep it warm as the rest of the house. In that case, insulate the roof. But if you don’t use your attic, you can insulate the floor. This option is easier and more affordable. Insulating both the attic floor and the roof is possible. Just keep in mind that this process is difficult and expensive.

Get A Roof Replacement During The Fall Season

Fall makes a perfect time to replace your old roof. Your roofing contractor can do a roof insulation foam installation at the same time. This prepares your roof for the winter. With new roofing insulation, you save on winter heating.

Beware Of Fire Hazards

Find a qualified and legit roofing contractor that knows how to install roof insulation foil or your preferred material. Incorrect installation can create fire hazards.

Source – Gomsmartbrickc.com, adcoroofing.com

October 9, 2021 0 comment

Building Envelope Editor's Pick

Role of Insulation in Buildings !

by Editor October 7, 2021

written by Editor

Insulation refers to an energy savings measure, which provides resistance to heat flow. Naturally, heat flows from a warmer to a cooler space. By insulating a house, one can reduce the heat loss in buildings in cold weather or climate, and reduce the heat surplus in warmer weather or climate. Insulating a house has several benefits such as energy savings, cost savings and increased comfort. Barriers to undertake energy savings measures may be split incentives, relatively high investment costs, and the time and effort required to realize the energy savings. There are several types of insulation against heat loss in cold climates, each with its own technical characteristics and financial costs and benefits. Insulation measures are generally one of the most cost effective energy savings measures.

Introduction

By insulating a house, one can reduce the heat loss in buildings in cold weather or climate, and reduce a heat surplus in warmer weather or climate. Thus, insulation limits the need for heating or cooling the house. Heat losses or heat surpluses arise because of differences between the indoor and outdoor air temperature. Naturally, heat flows from a warmer to a cooler space, and the temperatures will converge to an equilibrium temperature, a physical phenomenon based on mechanisms like transmission (the heat flow through materials) and ventilation (heat flow by air). Insulation aims at reducing the speed of this convergence of temperature in order to decrease the need for heating or cooling.

This technology description focuses on insulation against heat loss, but includes some references on insulation for cooling.

Several types of insulation measures exist. Below insulation measures for residential buildings are described:

Wall, roof and attic, floor and soil insulation

Wall, roof and floor insulation may be done by fixing insulation material to the wall, roof or floor, either on the inside of outside, e.g. by using insulation plates. Different materials for walls, roofs and floors require different types of insulation measures. Buildings may for example have cavity walls consisting of two ‘skins’ separated by a hollow space. This space already provides some insulation but can be filled up with additional insulation material, e.g. foam, to further improve the insulation effect. Roof insulation for flat roofs differs from insulation for steeper roofs.

Floors are usually made of wood or concrete, each requiring specific insulation measures. Another option to reduce heat losses to the ground is soil insulation, for example by placing insulation material on the soil in a so-called “crawl space” (a very low basement).

The age of a building is an important factor determining the type of insulation and the way in which it is installed, e.g. if insulation is put on the outside or inside of the construction.

Window and door insulation

Windows and exterior doors have a large impact on the heating and cooling requirements of a building. New materials, coatings, and designs have led to significantly improved energy efficiency of new, high-performing windows and doors. New high-quality windows may be up to six times more energy efficient than lower-quality, older windows (Pew Centre, 2009). Some of the latest developments concerning improved windows include multiple glazing, the use of two or more panes of glass or other films for insulation, and low-emissivity coatings reducing the flow of infrared energy from the building to the environment (Pew Centre, 2009). Attention needs to be paid not only to the window itself, but also to the window frame, which can significantly impact a window’s insulation level.

Sealing cracks

Another insulation measure that reduces the amount of heat loss is sealing cracks in the ‘shell’ of the building. Cracks cause infiltration of cold air from outside or leakage of warm air to the outside. Strips or other material can be used to seal cracks in moving parts, such as windows and doors, and in places where different construction parts are attached to each other.

Feasibility of technology and operational necessities :

Increasing insulation is technically feasible for almost all buildings, although it is most efficient to add insulation during the construction phase. Because of the diversity of insulation measures, a suitable option is generally available for almost every building, since most buildings have room for improvement with respect to insulation. Next to technical requirements, human preferences regarding comfort and aesthetics also play a role, e.g. for windows better insulation comes with lower insolation, i.e. less light.

In practice, the suitability of insulation measures depends largely on the current technical state of a dwelling. Specifically the insulation already in place limits additional insulation. This is due to the physical space left for insulation and the suitability of the existing construction (e.g. availability of a cavity wall or sufficient cavity width, enough frame space to install better insulated but usually thicker windows, enough crawl space under the floor), but also because the law of diminishing returns applies: Every additional layer of insulation yields less energy savings than the previous one.

The level of insulation that can be achieved by different insulation materials, i.e. the insulation value, is typically expressed as the R-value. The R-value indicates the insulation material’s resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation of a wall, roof or floor. For windows the value U is used, mathematically different but analogue to the R-value. Opposite to the R-value, the lower the U value the better the insulation of the window.

Status of the technology and its future market potential

Insulation measures against heat loss are common practice in countries with frequent cold weather, where they are applied at the construction of new buildings, but also during the renovation of buildings. Older buildings commonly have a much lower level of insulation than newer ones, which in OECD countries are typically built according to the latest energy performance regulations. A large technical potential remains to improve insulation levels of the existing building stock using mature technologies. Many insulation measures would also be cost-effective due to savings in energy costs.

In the US, for example, more than 60% of single-family, residential houses are estimated to be “under-insulated”, i.e. by improving the level of insulation home owners could save costs, avoid GHG emissions, and improve indoor climate. In India only 5 % buildings are using Building Insulation and mostly for HVAC purposes

Common barriers why these measures are not implemented include: high initial investment costs, lack of financing options for the up-front investments, the time and effort required to undertake renovation measures in existing buildings, relatively long payback times for some measures, lacking knowledge and awareness, and split incentives, i.e. the decision makers who can / must decide on the level of insulation in a building and pay for the higher upfront costs are not the same persons who will reap the benefits of lower energy costs for heating and/or cooling.

Governments of India have introduced measures to reduce these barriers, including mandatory energy efficiency standards, building certification, voluntary labelling, and financial incentives to stimulate investments into increased insulation and other energy saving measures in buildings. Moreover governments, civil society and industry organisations use information campaigns to increase awareness and knowledge of energy saving options in buildings. In India MNRE & BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency) the main regulatory framework to prescribe the use of energy labels for Energy Efficient buildings in India and also it is a requirement in the recent launched Energy Conservation Building Code – 2017 by BEE.

How the technology could contribute to socio-economic development and environmental protection

Insulation leads to energy savings, which reduce the demand for fossil fuels and associated GHG emissions and other environmental impacts. It is estimated that improvements in the level of insulation of the existing building stock can reduce heating requirements by a factor of two to four. New houses built according to the latest available technology and design in various cold-climate countries use as little as 10% of the energy for heating than houses built according to the local national building codes.

For countries with milder winters, where heating is still required, as is the case in many developing countries, modest levels of insulation at a reasonable cost may already reduce the heating requirements by more than half of current levels, and in addition may contribute to reducing indoor temperatures in summer. If there is no air conditioning, lower temperatures in summer improve indoor comfort, or, if air conditioning is used, lead to additional energy savings.

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October 7, 2021 0 comment