It helps resist moisture that can lead to mold or mildew and provides increased sound and thermal insulation.
Insulation for flat roof without attic.
In most cases it should be possible to insulate each rafter space all the way down to the eaves and over the top of the exterior wall.
Seal any roof vents into the parts of the attic that are not heated.
For a 1 inch board equivalent of 6 r value.
While expensive the best insulation is polyiso rigid foam.
This means lowering the height of the ceiling but may be a better option than insulating externally.
New rules and practical interpretation.
You can expect to pay about 55 100 sq ft.
This insulation strategy has not changed in recent code iterations and is not discussed in this article.
You probably don t have to meet code of course retrofitting insulation on a funky old house but it s not a bad thing to strive for.
Depending on your climate you ll need r 30 to r 49 to meet code which is 5 to 8 1 2 inches of polyiso rigid foam which is r 6 per inch.
It creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew and ruins the air trapping pockets that block heat flow.
To insulate a flat roof internally using insulated plasterboard.
It is important to note when insulation is on the floor of the attic the space between the insulation and the roof deck must be vented to the exterior.
Try a spray foam insulation kit to fill cavities gaps cracks expansion joints and other sources of air leaks.
It is top quality and the most cost effective product for your flat roof.
Look for water stains on the roof sheathing or damp or moldy spots on attic joists and existing insulation as a clue to where leaks might be.
We recommend having at least 20 r value worth of material for optimal energy efficiency.
Box out light fixtures.
But spray foam insulation used at the underside of the roof deck would need to be covered by a thermal barrier and intumescent coatings are commonly used.
Insulation on the floor of the attic figure 1.
Leave a clear space between the top of the insulation and the underside of the roof sheathing to allow for roof ventilation.
For such constructions the principles and benefits of unvented attic construction are similar to that occurring in a single family residence.