Our world is becoming more of an architectural marvel every day. Sprawling urban landscapes transform and adapt to the winds of change in the construction industry. Recently, flat roofs have become more popular as homeowners and contractors see them as a sleek and contemporary design element.
Because of their broad appeal, flat roofs grace modern homes and commercial buildings alike. However, beyond their aesthetic appeal and versatility, flat roofs pose a unique challenge – the need for effective insulation to prevent heat gain and energy loss. For homeowners and contractors, understanding the importance of flat roof insulation is a matter of comfort, efficiency, and affordability.
This guide will reveal why insulating your flat roof matters, explore some diverse types of insulation, and introduce Instant Roofer’s innovative tools.
How Do Contractors Know What Flat Roof Insulation to Use?
Although flat roofs may be relatively simple compared to sloped roof structures, contractors still must consider many variables before installing one. Suppose a contractor is designing and installing a flat roof on your commercial space. Before installing an EDPM flat roof, they need to know the required R-value for that structure.
But what is the R-value, and why is it relevant to flat roofs?
How Is an R-value Relevant to Flat Roof Insulation?
Flat roof insulation should “insulate” or stabilize your building’s indoor environment. The proper insulation for your flat roof type will “resist” effects from outside temperature changes. In short, effective insulation prevents cool air from leaking out and warm air from coming in, or vice versa.
The resistance of flat roofing materials will benefit homeowners or business owners by reducing energy waste. Roofing contractors understand that it all starts with the rating of flat roof insulation types, which determines how much it will resist outside conditions. In the industry, the thermal resistance of insulation materials is the R-value.
We can calculate the resistance per inch of the roofing material’s thickness. Contractors calculate the value by combining all the materials needed to make the structure. In this case, we would combine the roof deck type, roof insulation, and roofing membrane of the roof assembly to get the R-value.
Higher values mean better insulation, and unless cost is a concern, there’s nothing wrong with high R-values. Contractors also have to consider climate, budget, and roof type to achieve the necessary resistance for energy efficiency and building code compliance.
Why Flat Roof Insulation Matters
Why does flat roof insulation matter? That is the defining question of the hour. As we mentioned above, higher resistance means better insulation quality.
Let’s say that your commercial building has insulation, but it’s 25+ years old, visibly deteriorated, and you can see gaps in it. Would that actually matter? Does roof insulation make that much of a difference?
We can save you the trouble—it does matter. Considering that insulation is an effective way to improve a building’s energy efficiency, flat roof insulation can help retain up to 80% of the cooling and heating lost without it. Other benefits that business owners get are:
- Better Indoor Comfort: A well-insulated building will maintain a consistent indoor temperature. A stable temperature will prevent hot or cold spots and create a more comfortable space for living or working.
- Moisture Control: Moisture is a roof’s worst enemy and a constant challenge for flat roofs. Insulation can help prevent condensation and moisture buildup, protecting your building structure from damage.
- Longevity: Using suitable insulation materials will prevent your flat roof from suffering thermal shock and moisture damage, which will increase its overall service life.
When contractors design a roof for specific benefits, they typically use either of the two basic kinds of insulation. Let’s talk more about these flat roof insulation types. roofers can quickly pinpoint and remove damaged layers without dealing with other structures in the way.
Types of Flat Roof Insulation
Depending on the type of roofing materials used to construct the roof, contractors can use either cold flat roofing or warm flat roofing insulation. With cold flat roof insulation, contractors place the material between the supporting joists, leaving a small gap between the roofing and insulation. The gap creates an opportunity for airflow circulation.
In warm flat roofing, contractors will install the insulation on top of the roof decking. Depending on the roofing materials and the necessary R-value, professional roofers will use three common roofing insulations: Polyisocyanurate (Polyiso) rigid foam, Extruded Polystyrene (XPS), and Expanded Polystyrene (EPS).
Polyisocyanurate (polyiso) Rigid Foam
Although expensive, polyiso is a highly recommended insulation. It has a high R-value and is also moisture-resistant and stable. Polyiso provides good insulation performance for new and old roofs.
Extruded Polystyrene (XPS)
Polystyrene is also good but has a disadvantage due to the fact that it has a lower resistance compared to Polyiso. XPS is also moisture-resistant and lightweight, making it easy to install.
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)
It is a less expensive polystyrene with a lower resistance than Polyiso and XPS, but it remains a functional option. EPS is lightweight and easy to install, making it a good choice for low-cost property owners.
Now that we’ve discussed R-values, insulation types, and how contractors choose materials, it’s vital to understand how these factors combine to create savings.
How Flat Roof Insulation Can Save You Money
If you own a home or business, it’s natural to want the best protection for your investment. When planning your flat roof project, experts don’t advise skimping on quality just to save money. If you insulate your property with poor-quality insulation materials, you’ll likely have many problems.
Even if you save a few hundred dollars, using low-cost insulation will decrease the lifespan of your roof. When you use high-quality flat roof insulation, it helps save money by:
Preventing Roof Damage
High-quality flat roof insulation reduces the extent of moisture and temperature variation. The long-term stability extends the roof’s lifespan, avoiding costly repairs or premature replacement.
Appreciating Property Value
There is always a demand for a building with good insulation. Anyone who is interested in your property will see the value of your investment, recognize its higher potential, and increase its market value.
Throughout this guide, we’ve discussed the ins and outs of flat roof insulation, yet we’ve saved the one factor that concerns most property owners for last. Property owners usually place more emphasis on the overall cost of their projects.
Instant Roofer’s Innovative Solutions
By now, you know that high-quality insulation will help reduce the costs incurred in flat roof repairs and energy consumption to enhance the value of the building. When you need to make an informed decision, you need information – real-time data that can help. Unfortunately, there often aren’t great resources available to help you make an informed decision about your flat roof.
Instant Roofer provides online solutions, which have simplified the roofing process by allowing contractors and property owners to do business effortlessly. Our roof replacement cost calculator provides estimates of costs to replace your roof, including insulation and other materials, through its friendly interface.
We understand that property owners are mostly concerned with the cost of their roofing project, and that’s where our calculator shines. If you’re preparing for a flat roof insulation project, the flat roof replacement cost calculator provides accurate measurements and material estimates to help you make the best decision moving forward. Use our collection of free tools to get fast and accurate estimates for the amount of insulation.
By using our online tools, you can also find expert roofers who will install your insulation with expert precision.
Partner With Instant Roofer And Save Money Today
Now that you understand the significance of flat roof insulation, it’s time to take action. At Instant Roofer, we typically take the view that homeowners and contractors are best served by giving them all the information they need so they can make their own informed decisions. That’s why we’ve developed innovative online tools to make roofing easier for everyone and provide precise, up-to-date information.
Thanks to Instant Roofer’s online tools, you can:
- Know the measurements based on your roof type and what will be used for your estimate
- Compare different flat roof options and the best insulation material for that roof type
- Calculate the cost of your flat roof insulation project
- Find a qualified contractor in your area
At Instant Roofer, we’re committed to making roofing accessible to everyone. It’s time to take charge and transform your roofing journey with our website’s tools. Visit Instant Roofer today and use our free, AI-powered technology to help you achieve a durable, energy-efficient roof that will last.
Fact Checked by Josh Bernard 10/18/2024