When a new roof is being planned for a home, it’s common for
most of the attention to be focused on the materials that will be installed on
the exterior of the structure, but a second critical aspect should be included
in the plan to ensure durability and energy savings over the long term;
ventilating and insulating the attic. Here
are 3 recommendations from the National Roofing Contractors Association
(NRCA) regarding the optimization of the exterior of a new roofing system
through the addition of adequate ventilation and insulation in the attic.
Insulate the attic floor – A full layer
of insulation on the attic floor inhibits heat from radiating up from the
interior of the structure, reducing heating demands in the winter and
preventing the attic space from getting too warm. Adding access tents can
provide additional insulation at the entry points to the attic.
Install adequate ventilation –
Ventilation is the key to regulating temperatures in the attic while preventing
the bottom surface of the roofing system from being subjected to high heat
levels. Regulating temperatures in this space is essential to ensuring that the
adhesives and materials on the roof deck aren’t exposed to temperatures that
can reach 160 degrees in an unventilated attic. The rule of thumb for adequate
ventilation, according to the NRCA, is 1 square foot of venting for every 150
square feet on the attic floor. Venting capacity should be balanced evenly
between the areas around the eaves as well as the ridge to regulate
temperatures and to prevent the accumulation of moisture. If the attic is used
as a storage area, vents should never be blocked by boxes or other items to
allow for the free flow of air in and out of the space.
Insulate the ceiling of the attic –
Insulating the ceiling of the attic prevents heat from radiating into the space
during the hot days of summer and outward when temperatures drop in the winter.
When ceiling insulation is combined with abundant ventilation and floor
insulation in an attic, the results include a space with moderate temperatures,
lower demands for heating/cooling the interior of the structure, and less
stress placed on the roofing system from heat that radiates upward from the
attic.
The metrics for adequate ventilation
and insulation in an attic can change dramatically depending on the specifics
of local weather conditions, but the benefits remain the same regardless of
geographic location. By limiting condensation with sufficient ventilation and
restricting the transfer of heat from the exterior as well as the interior of
the structure into the space, the stresses that would otherwise be placed on
the roofing system as well as the energy demands for climate controls can be
minimized.
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