Due to the global warming crisis that is getting worse every year, the sun that shines on the roof every day is causing more and more heat to enter the house. Installing roof insulation to reduce the heat under the roof is therefore important for every house in this era. However, there are many types of insulation materials.
Homeowners must therefore choose insulation that is appropriate for their home and budget. With the following interesting information about roof insulation, choosing the right insulation to reduce heat under the roof and help your home stay cool and comfortable will no longer be difficult.
What is roof insulation?
Insulation is a material used to prevent heat from penetrating from one side to the other. It is usually installed under the roof, on the ceiling, or in the walls. Roof insulation has the function of absorbing and protecting from heat from the roof, reducing heat under the roof, or resisting heat to a minimum before entering the house.
There is also another type of heat insulation called a heat-reflective sheet, which uses a different method of heat protection, focusing on reflecting heat waves away from the house.
Patterns for installing roof insulation to reduce heat under the roof
1. Sheet insulation
Sheet insulation is a ready-made insulation made from various materials. It is in the form of a flexible sheet that can be bent to fit the structure. Therefore, it is easy to install, whether installing roof insulation above or below the roof sheet purlins or laying insulation on the ceiling, as long as the insulation used is lightweight.
2. Spray insulation
Spray insulation is the process of applying heat-resistant materials that are melted into liquid and sprayed over the surface that needs to be protected from heat. It can be sprayed over almost any surface and some types of insulation can also be sprayed on the outside of the building. Therefore, it is suitable for areas that are complex or difficult to install insulation sheets. However, insulation must be sprayed by experts with specialized tools only.
How to install insulation?
- Installed on the ceiling, helps to slow down the heat from accumulating under the roof, but there must be a vent to release heat through the eaves of the house to prevent excessive heat from accumulating under the roof.
- Installed under the roofing sheet, acts to slow down the heat from entering under the roof. It must be installed at the same time as building the roof since the house was built.
- Installed on the roof, reflects heat from entering under the roof of the house. This type of installation is recommended as a supplement to other types of insulation because the paint has a thin surface. If there is dirt, the reflection efficiency will be reduced.
Selecting the type of roof insulation to reduce heat under the roof
There are many types of insulation available, depending on the properties and materials used to produce the insulation. Some interesting roof insulation materials can be seen in the following table.
Thermal insulation materials | Pros | Cons | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Fiberglass insulation | High heat resistance, good heat insulation, good sound insulation, flammable but not flammable | It is very thick if the bag is torn, the fiberglass can be harmful to those who are allergic to it. | Moderate price |
Aluminum foil insulation | Lightest and thinnest, good UV reflectivity, tough, easy to shape, non-flammable, and flame retardant. | Not soundproof, must be installed under the roof for maximum efficiency. | Cheapest price |
Polyethylene (PE) foam insulation | Lightweight, tough, and durable, with good heat insulation, and chemical and moisture resistance. | Flammable, easily spread fire, produces dangerous gases when burned | cheap price |
Polystyrene (PS) foam insulation | Very light weight, pressure resistant, does not absorb moisture and can be installed together with other materials, such as gypsum board. | It is flammable, spreads easily, and cannot be bent, so it breaks easily like a foam box. | cheap price |
Polyurethane (PU) foam insulation | Available in sheet and spray insulation, adheres to all surfaces, prevents water and leakage, and protects against both heat and cold. | Flammable, easily spread fire, deforms when exposed to high heat | High price |
Pulp insulation | Both sheet and spray insulation are available, good heat insulation, good sound insulation, environmentally friendly. | Not resistant to water and moisture, prone to falling off and collapsing if the density control during spraying is not good enough. | Moderate price |
The above table is just the basic properties of each type of roof insulation. Each manufacturer has additional properties to make the insulation better, such as foam insulation mixed with fire retardant agents or foam insulation covered with another layer of aluminum foil insulation.
Insulation reduces heat under the roof, so there are many options on the market and the prices vary depending on the quality of the material and additional features.
When you know all the information, you will find that each type of roof insulation has different advantages and disadvantages. No one type of insulation is best for choosing to reduce heat under the roof. It depends more on the suitability of use and budget. And it is not limited to using only one type of insulation.
There are also many ways to reduce heat in your home, and reduce heat under your roof, choose good techniques from the articles in the links below.