Insulating a metal roof, though it requires an extra investment, is an excellent way to ensure maximum return on your investment.
The benefits of insulating a metal roof are numerous, ranging from improved comfort within the house to increased energy efficiency, which can help reduce your energy bills.
So, if you’re considering insulating an existing metal roof or seeking information on how to insulate a metal roof during installation, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to the process below.
Insulating an Existing Metal Roof
The method of insulating a pre-installed metal roof depends on the type of insulation you’ve selected.
While it may be more challenging than insulating a new roof during installation, it’s still possible to insulate your existing metal roof effectively and affordably. Moreover, adding roof insulation, even after the roof has been installed, is one of the most efficient ways to lower your heating costs and decrease your carbon footprint.
The most prevalent types of metal roof insulation and their installation methods include:
- Spray foam insulation – a popular insulation choice for all roofs, it’s applied directly to the underside of the roof, adhering to the roof panels.
- Fibreglass insulation – also referred to as loose-fill insulation or blown-in insulation, this method involves filling the attic eave with a loose-fill insulation material, such as cellulose or fibreglass.
- Reflective foil insulation – this insulation consists of foil layers, which deflect heat away from the roof and the rest of the property. This insulation is installed beneath the metal roofing sheets and is a popular choice for insulating existing metal roofs.
- Rigid foam board insulation – this is placed between the roof and the ceiling. Despite its excellent insulative properties, this insulation type is often too costly and labour-intensive for existing roofs. This is because the roof covering must be removed, the insulation installed, and the roof reattached to install rigid foam board insulation.
- Batt insulation – this involves installing a roll of mineral wool along the roof’s underside.
By consulting with a metal roofing expert, you can learn more about each of these options, including their performance, installation ease, and cost.
Insulating a New Metal Roof (During Installation)
When you insulate a metal roof during its installation, you have a slightly broader range of insulation options. Moreover, this can be done more efficiently, affordably, and seamlessly.
The most common methods for insulating a new metal roof during installation include all the options mentioned above.
Additionally, when you’re integrating insulation into a roof structure that you’re constructing, you have more flexibility to incorporate higher-performance solutions and even use multiple insulation types together.
For instance, you can add air sealing and vapour barriers to the roof (to prevent drafts and limit moisture accumulation), and use a combination of the methods mentioned above in the roof. For example, you could combine fibreglass insulation boards with reflective foil insulation placed directly beneath the metal roofing.
Consult with an expert in metal roofing, who can provide the most suitable insulation solution for your metal roof, tailored to your specific needs.
Why should you consider insulating your metal roof?
There are numerous significant advantages to insulating a metal roof:
- Enhanced energy efficiency
- Decreased energy expenses, encompassing both heating and cooling costs
- Lowered carbon emissions
- Increased property value and potential resale value
- Better control over your property’s temperature
- Augmented comfort, by maintaining stable temperatures and minimizing drafts
- Restricting moisture and condensation accumulation, thus lowering the possibility of damp-related roof damage
- Prolonging the roof’s lifespan
- Enhanced sound insulation
What makes SPF insulation beneficial?
Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation is a prevalent choice for insulating metal roofs.
It presents a host of remarkable benefits, particularly suited for metal roofs. These benefits encompass:
- A high R-value, indicating superior insulation capabilities
- Significant reduction in your property’s energy consumption and heating expenses
- Exceptional durability
- Can enhance the robustness of the roof structure
- Light in weight
- Simple and quick to install
- Provides a seamless coverage over the roof, eliminating any gaps or cracks in the insulation (which could affect performance)
- Enhanced control over moisture, due to its high moisture-resistance
- Reduces the likelihood of the roof suffering moisture-induced damage
- Highly adaptable, and can be utilized for sloping metal roofs, as well as flat and low-slope metal roofs
What are the advantages of fibreglass insulation?
Fibreglass insulation is another popular method for roof insulation.
This method also provides a wide array of significant benefits, such as:
- A high R-value, indicating superior insulation capabilities
- Significant reduction in your property’s energy consumption and heating expenses
- Cost-effective and affordable
- Simple and quick to install
- Light in weight
- Resistant to fire
- Enhanced control over moisture, due to its high moisture-resistance
- Reduces the likelihood of the roof suffering moisture-induced damage
- Exceptional durability, with a long projected lifespan
- Highly versatile, and can be utilized for all types of metal roofs
For both SPF and fibreglass insulation, it is crucial to engage a professional insulation expert for the installation. This ensures the insulation is safely installed, achieves its full expected lifespan, and allows you to fully reap these benefits.
To learn more about metal roof insulation, or to engage a reliable metal roofing expert for your forthcoming project, reach out to our team.
