The roof of your house needs more insulation than any other part of it. This is because a home’s roof accounts for up to 35% of all heat gain and loss.
Insulation can be put in place during the construction of a structure just as a normal part of the building process. However, what happens if you wish to retrofit roof insulation in an already-existing structure or replace obsolete insulation in a house?
This tutorial examines the best practices for installing roof insulation. We talk about appropriate R-values, different forms of roof insulation, and other topics.
Can Roof Insulation Be Retrofitted?
Insulation that has been retrofitted is added to a home after it has already been built as opposed to being added when a new home is being built. As long as there is safe access to the roof space, installing roof insulation in an existing home is not too difficult.
You may not be aware that insulating your roof can also help to weatherproof your house and keep it dry. A few things might also help shield your house from flying wildfire embers. Installing roof insulation in existing homes has a lot of advantages.
Ceiling vs. Roof Insulation
Insulation installed above the ceiling is referred to as ceiling insulation, whilst insulation installed under the roofing material is referred to as roof insulation. However, the phrases are occasionally used interchangeably because both types of insulation are laid in the roof area.
How to Install Roof Insulation
The procedure for installing insulation batts in your roof space is described here. For a demonstration of the procedure, view the instructional video below.
Step 1. Gather Your Materials
A utility knife, a long, non-conductive stick, and a wooden plank on which to kneel are all necessary. Long sleeves, gloves, safety glasses, and a dust mask are advised. The climate on the roof can be highly dusty, and some insulation types might irritate the skin.
Before you ascend into the roof, make sure the house power is turned off.
Step 2. Load the Insulation Into the Roof
Before removing the individual batts from their package, load the insulation packs into the roof. Insulation batts are compressed before being shipped, but once unwrapped, they can expand significantly.
You might be able to reach the roof space by removing a roof sheet or sliding back some tiles if the manhole in the ceiling is too small to load insulation through.
Step 3. Install the Roof Batts
The batts should be positioned first between the rafters all the way around the roof’s edge. Make sure the wall’s top plate is covered. Push the batts into position with the aid of your long stick.
Install the centre of the roof when the perimeter is complete. Work your way back toward the manhole or roof opening, starting at the furthest place.
Step 4. Manage Gaps Sufficiently
Leave enough space around fans and downlights. Cut-offs should be used to close any further gaps, as they could reduce the efficiency of your insulation. You can place any remaining insulation on top of the other batts if you have any.
How To Install Roof Insulation
Roof insulation can be installed as a do-it-yourself project if labor costs are a concern. Before beginning, check that you have the appropriate tools and do some study on best practices. The insulation may perform less effectively due to poor installation.
A professional installation installer, on the other hand, can assist you in completing the task more quickly and to the highest standard. They may also recommend the greatest goods for your particular roof type.
Recommendations for Retrofitting Roof Insulation
Follow the guidelines below when installing roof insulation yourself to keep yourself safe and get the greatest effects from your insulation.
- Wear the proper protective equipment, such as gloves, a dust mask, and safety glasses.
- During the hottest part of the day, installation should be avoided because the roof cavity might get extremely hot.
- Before you begin working on the roof, make sure the power is turned off.
- Make sure the ceiling batts are not spaced apart.
- Ceiling batts shouldn’t be compressed because doing so will reduce their performance.
- Install the batts between the rafters on top of any existing insulation if it is located below the top of the rafters. The new insulation can be put in place on top of the rafters if the old insulation is flush with the tops of the rafters.
- Clear enough space around downlights.
How to Install Roof Insulation Under Metal Roofing
Popular options for metal roofs include reflective insulation and roof sarking since they offer lots of advantages at a reasonable cost. Your home’s sarking acts as a second layer of defense against the elements, enhancing the overall R-Value of your roof space.
To effectively prevent moisture, reflective insulation typically needs an air gap of at least 25 mm under the reflecting side. The reflective side should be down in most climates. The reflecting side may occasionally face outwards in tropical climes to aid moisture management.
Remember that reflective insulation or sarking alone won’t adequately insulate your roof. These products should be used in conjunction with batt insulation between the ceiling joists to reach the proper R-Value levels.
How to Install Roof Sarking
Under the roofing material is laid roof sarking. It is normally put parallel to the eaves of your property and rolled out horizontally. Depending on the environment where you live and the sort of roof you have, you can attach it underneath or on top of the battens.
Under the roofing material is laid roof sarking. It is normally put parallel to the eaves of your property and rolled out horizontally. Depending on the environment where you live and the sort of roof you have, you can attach it underneath or on top of the battens.
To prevent water from entering your roof cavity if you place the sarking vertically instead, it is advised that you tape the overlap between sarking rolls. Sarking may occasionally be purposefully sagging between battens to keep it away from the roofing sheet.
Before attempting to insulate your roof, it is strongly advised that you speak with a professional to ensure the best results.
Replacing Vs Topping Up Old Insulation
Many customers want to know if you can add fresh insulation to existing insulation in their roof. Replacing vs. Topping Up Old Ins.
It is occasionally possible to add fresh insulation on top of old insulation. Old insulation often still has some insulating ability, and when combined with new insulation, it may enhance the total R Value, even though it will have a lower R Value than when it was first installed.
Before installing new ceiling batts, you should have any damaged, moldy, or rodent-infested insulation in your home entirely removed. Similarly, you should totally remedy any storm or plumbing leak damage to your ceiling before adding new ceiling batts.
What to Check Before Buying Roof Insulation
Your geographic location, financial situation, and personal tastes will all play a role in determining the best roof insulation for your home.
The most often used products for retrofit roof insulation include:
1. Bulk Insulation (Batts and Rolls)
Millions of microscopic air pockets found in rolls and batts of bulk insulation help to impede the flow of heat. These can be put in either beneath the roofing material or in the joists of the ceiling, or both.
2. Reflective Foil Insulation or Roof Sarking
This insulation material is put in the roof and covered with a thin coating of the reflective foil to assist in deflecting solar radiation away from your property. It works especially well for houses that get a lot of heat in the summer.
Please be aware that foil insulation performs somewhat differently than typical insulation batts and is not suited as an insulation product on its own. The best results come from using both foil (or roof sarking) and the preferred insulation batts.
3. Combined Reflective Bulk Insulation
Some insulation products come in two forms: foil insulation and bulk insulation. Metal roofs are frequently covered with foil-facing roofing blankets because they offer good thermal and acoustic properties.
Choosing the Right R Value and Saving on Energy Bills
Make sure you receive the appropriate R-Value based on your location and climate zone, regardless of the insulation goods or brands you select.
Every insulation product sold in Australia is assigned an R-Value that describes how well it resists heat gain and loss. Less heat is lost during the winter and gained less during the summer as a product’s thermal performance increases with R-Value.
More energy efficiency and year-round cost reductions are possible by upgrading to the greatest R Value you can afford.
Alpha Builders provides the most amazing roofing insulation methods and tips. Get in touch with us right now for assistance and more details!