Ceiling insulation under a pitched roof is pretty well understood these days. The main options are to cover the ceiling within the loft cavity or to opt for a layer of insulation underneath the pitch of the roof itself. Both can be done at the same time, of course, which means that the roof insulation augments the effect of the ceiling insulation beneath it. This is a good approach if you want to be able to use your loft space as an extra room or to store items without them getting too hot in summer or too cold in winter. When it comes to flat roofs, however, this is not an option. What are the best approaches for modern ceiling insulation if you have a flat roof?
The Benefits of a Flat Roof Insulation Service
New build homes and extensions which have flat roofs should be properly insulated when they first go up to comply with building regulations. However, even those which are many years old can benefit from a retrospective roof insulation service. Nowadays, a variety of materials can be used to provide an insulating layer between the ceiling and the outer flat roof membrane above it. They all offer slightly different properties but the benefits are the same: they will lower your energy consumption, improve your carbon footprint and save you money from the day they are installed. The question many homeowners face is whether a cold roof or warm roof insulation service will be most beneficial.
Understanding Warm Room Insulation
Warm roofing insulation means installing the ceiling insulation product that has been chosen above the timber rafters of your roof. In other words, you will need to take off the outer roofing membrane itself to carry out this sort of ceiling insulation work since it needs to be accessed from above. As such, scaffolding will be needed. This approach is recommended if you already need to replace the outer roofing membrane because it has got to the end of its life or it has been damaged. No void is needed to ventilate the roof with this type of ceiling insulation, so it is good for kitchens and bathrooms where moisture might build-up
Understanding Cold Roof Insulation
A cold roof insulation service, on the other hand, is installed from within. The ceiling insulation goes between the rafters, not above them. An aeration void above the insulating layer will be needed to prevent damp from accumulating, which means there is usually a little less headroom than is achievable with warm roof insulation. That said, it is easier to install and requires no outdoor work, ideal if you require your ceiling insulation to be fitted in the winter and have no need to replace your flat roofing membrane.
Contact a local roof insulation service to learn more.
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