Roof Air Gap Insulation

Insulation is technically a solid with a lot of air in it therefore it is not an air gap.

Roof air gap insulation.

An air space between the insulation and the bottom of the roof sheathing is desirable. I had originally thought on top of the insulation and under the attic plywood flooring to reduce the heat on the underside of the roof shingles. So i ll start by saying something that might sound controversial but really isn t. If you are constructing a ventilated roof insulating between and under the rafters then there needs to be a 50 mm air gap between the insulation and the sarking felt to avoid condensation building up.

This gap must be ventilated at the top i e. With a warm roof the usual process is to split the insulation into two layers. It is important that air is allowed to circulate between the roof covering and the insulation to avoid condensation a gap of at least 50mm 2 inch must be left between the insulation and the inside of the roof covering. A cold deck flat roof.

If 180mm is to be installed then 100mm board might be introduced between the rafters there has to be a minimum 25mm air gap between the insulation and the underside of the tiles or slates with an 80mm board running across the rafters. For an unventilated roof without the use of counter battens a gap would need to be left for the breathable membrane to drape. A boarded roof with plywood sheet providing structural strength over the rafters what all these have in common is. A vented attic where insulation is placed on an air sealed attic floor is one of the most underappreciated building assemblies that we have in the history of building science.

In the winter humidity from the house s interior will get past the insulation and come in contact with the cold roof sheathing where it will condense into water. So much information has been devoted to the subject of roof venting that it s easy to become confused and to lose focus. Now with explanation of air gap would i be better served to place the radiant barrier on the underside of the roof rafters. You literally must have a void nothing in the air gap except air itself.