Since you currently do not have ventilation and it sounds like you have access to the attic the most cost effective insulation technique you can use is to spray closed cell foam using spray foam kits around the perimeter of the roof between the roof surface and the ceiling to a nominal depth of at least 2 inches to prevent air infiltration.
Insulating a flat roof without ventilation.
It depends on where the insulation is installed.
Cold roof a very bad idea.
Cold roof systems are highly inadvisable as insulation from the inside will inevitably lead to the formation of condensation.
Depending on the weather and usage of the roof during its lifespan the insulation board may still be in a good enough condition to re use when the time arrives to replace the roof itself.
I have an insulation factor of about 8 10 plus the reflectivity of the white tpo.
Ventilation is necessary to allow moisture accumulated inside to escape.
This misconception is so strong that some people actually choose to not get flat roofs because they are worried about the roofs not being properly insulated.
Unvented flat roofs a technical discussion flat roofs have often been built with the insulation all on top of the vapor closed drainage plane as this avoids dew point condensation issues inboard of the roofing.
When renovating an older home whose roof rafters are only 2x6 really 5 1 2 x 1 5 in dimension the available space for insulation and ventilation is limited therefore limiting the options for a combination of good under roof ventilation and high insulation r values in the cathedral ceiling.
It also lets hot air escape in the summer.
The answer depends on the type of roof you have.
Flat roof insulation cross section a great example of this is powerdeck f insulation board which is both rot resistant and highly durable.
Insulating a flat roof requires ventilation above the insulation.
Is there any advantage to trying to get any insulation in between the 2 8 rafters.
Any type of roof from tpo to epdm can be either hot or cold.
The old roof was tar and gravel so the switch to tpo should show significant change.
The material that works best depends largely upon preference in a given situation.
Proper ventilation in flat roofs.
How much ventilation does a flat roof need.
Should i leave out the soffit vent.
This is then covered with a further weatherproofing layer.
Hot roofs have the roof deck then insulation then the roofing material.
A cold roof or hot roof.
However in many situations the insulation may need to be primarily or entirely below the flat roof membrane and between the roof joists if so what are the best options.
To produce a hot roof rigid insulation is fitted outside above the weatherproofing.