What Is The Best Material To Use For Roof Insulation

R values vary based on the type thickness and density of the insulation material.

What is the best material to use for roof insulation.

These days there is such an extensive range of roof insulation materials it is difficult to make a choice. Batts or blanket insulation are the best choice for ceiling insulation if you have a flat ceiling and pitched metal or tile roof. R value measures how resistant types of insulation are to heat flow. What insulating materials are suitable for roof insulation.

Three types of heat loss or gain. Polyester natural wool glass wool and rockwool. Batts or blanket insulation. Batts are about the worst you can do here.

Insulation is rated by its r value. For the best performance an insulation material needs to fill the whole space with no gaps voids compression or incompletely filled areas. Some insulation and building materials are better at maintaining a stable temperature inside the home than others. In general the larger the r value the more effective the insulating material is.

Unless you re using mineral wool insulation or your fixtures are rated safe for contact with any type of insulation don t allow the material to touch or cover recessed cans or lights from the floor below it s a fire hazard. Notice that you don t see insulation filling all the spaces between the ceiling joists. A flat roof should preferably be insulated from above. If your loft is hard to access you can have blown insulation installed by a professional who will use specialist equipment to blow appropriate insulation material into any awkward space.

The best roof insulation is blow in cellulose which is a form of bulk insulation that is environmentally friendly quality with a lifetime guarantee. They may use mineral wool fibre treated cellulose or polyurethane foam. You apply this insulation by spraying a solution in the floor walls or ceiling causing a bubble up into a thick layer of insulation. Loose insulation fiberglass or recycled fiber materials.

You can generally compare roof insulation material performance using their r value ratings. Other insulation materials include foam wool and even insulated glass for windows. Use hardware cloth metal flashing or scrap plywood to create a safety gap of at least 3 inches all around fixtures. Here are a few of the most common insulation solutions available.

See that photo above. A relatively recent development in the world of insulation spray foam insulation is really quite effective and serves a great purpose that no other insulation truly can. The best insulation for your home will depend on the situation and if you are replacing or supplementing existing insulation. Insulation decreases the amount of heat entering from outside when it s hot and traps warmth inside when it s cold.