Exterior Rigid Roof Insulation

Rockwool insulating roof boards offer warranties long term thermal performance.

Exterior rigid roof insulation.

No matter the climate zone rockwool stone wool does not shrink and does not lose its r value from install to reroof. There are lots of different ways to insulate this type of roof but one of the best methods calls for the installation of rigid foam insulation above the roof sheathing. All three types of rigid foam insulation expanded polystyrene eps extruded polystyrene xps and polyisocyanurate are suitable for use on the exterior of walls and roofs though they do not perform equally. 1 inch and 2 inch thicknesses are common.

Eps is the most vapor permeable of the three types. Rigid foam sheathing is a form of insulation continuous insulation to be exact that s applied to the exterior of the building. Rigid foam must be thick enough to prevent condensation on the roof sheathing. Rigid insulation sheathing is made of a rigid plastic foam that is typically sold in 4 8 or 4 10 foot boards.

Thermax sheathing is a non structural rigid board insulation consisting of a glass fiber infused polyisocyanurate foam core laminated between 1 0 mil smooth reflective aluminum facers on both sides. Nailbase must be vented in high snow load areas. The glass fiber reinforcement contributes to improved fire performance and dimensional stability. Rigid insulation layers exterior to existing roof sheathing must provide sufficient thermal insulation r value to control condensation risk see climate specific guidance.

For a 1 in thick 4 8 panel. The boards are available in several thicknesses and r values. Insulated roof assemblies can be vented or unvented. By patrick mccombe issue 273 feb mar 2018 when combining exterior foam insulation with fiberglass cellulose or mineral wool roof insulation the foam layer must be thick enough to keep the sheathing temperature above the dew point.

At r 4 it also has the lowest r value per inch. The easiest way to increase the value of your roof assembly is to insulate the insulation with a hybrid roof system. Continuous rigid insulation is a construction solution that provides a thermally efficient building enclosure. Falls in the middle of the three types of rigid foam insulation in both cost and r value used most in walls or below grade applications recyclable and at about r 5 per inch costs around 42 per sq.

There are at least two good reasons why this approach makes more sense than installing the insulation under the roof sheathing. Install roofing underlayment flashing and cladding as per best practices. In its guide to insulating sheathing bsc describes the use of exterior rigid insulation board in the enclosure assembly to act not only as insulation but also as the primary sheathing and in certain areas as the drainage plane and vapor control layer for the wall assembly.