Useful Tips on Roof Insulation
Of all the insulating materials on the market today, polyurethane foam roof insulation has one of the highest R values. It is also very strong, rigid and convenient to have installed. With energy costs on the rise, now is the time to take a closer look at foam roof insulation. If you are worried that foam roof insulation will leave your home looking like an igloo or different in any way, you have absolutely nothing to worry about, because a building that is insulated with foam roof insulation looks no different from any other building.
For a mobile home in a sunny climate foam roof insulation can be a real money saver and make for mush more comfortable living. With foam roof insulation your unit will cool off quicker and stay cool longer and take far less energy to keep cool during the day. For light commercial or industrial buildings that are economically infeasible to air condition, foam roof insulation is a fantastic choice.
It stops the heat before it has a chance to get beyond the surface of the roof and this makes for a much cooler working environment which translates directly into productivity. For any type of livestock operation foam roof insulation works great to keep your animals cool and stress free on hot days and this translates directly into higher production no matter what you are raising.
Stopping heat at the roof means that your attic will no longer be blazing hot and it will stop functioning as a heat reservoir. Foam roof insulation is easily roofed over with a variety of roofing products including all types of shingles, asphalt layered roofing and sheet metal roofing. If you are thinking about getting a new roof put on soon, then now is the time to take a good look at foam roof insulation.
Metal Roof Application Process
As always the first step in any roofing application is safety. I Know it gets old to hear, but it could save your life or at least your wallet from those absorbinant medical bills. A 1/4 inch thick metal plate, with eyelets for hooking to, should be screwed to the opposite side of the roof from which you will be working. An approved safety lanyard and properly fitting harness should also be worn. True skipping this step could save time and money, but it could also prove very costly.
First step of the actual process is to prepare the surface. This is easy on new construction, just clear decking of all debris. On older houses it is acceptable to overlay one layer of shingles,providing that you use long enough screws to penetrate metal, shingles and decking. Inch and a half or longer is sufficient. If two or more layers of shingles are present, they will have to be removed. A shingle shovel or "bulldog" is very helpful, some friends with strong backs are even more useful. A large trailer or dumptruck is required for disposal of the old shingles.
Once the shingles are removed and all old nails and debris have been cleared, it is time to begin laying your metal. It is important that you take precise measurements before you order your metal, as it is pre-cut to your desired length. It is pertinent that the first piece you lay be absolutely square as you will gain or lose in eve overhang length if it is not. By placing a string 3" off of your eve on each end and keeping your metal 1/2" off your string you can keep your metal running square and neat.
Your metal should be screwed 6" from the bottom and every three feet after. Keeping the screws straight is important for the looks of the house, so I suggest using a chalkline. The best method is to place screws on ridges, but be careful not to overtighten as this will dent the metal. Screws with neoprene washers should be used and are available anywhere you order your metal.
A chalkline should also be used when applying your ridgecap. Rubber fillers are available to fill in the gap between your metal and the cap, however this would cause you to miss out on a unique opportunity for a perfect and very adequate ridge vent.
Before the metal is applied, cut a one and a half inch gap on each side of the ridge. Apply aluminum screen down the ridge to keep out the bumblebees. Allow your metal to come to the bottom of this gap. Order your Ridge cap at least 14" wide. The wide cap costs a little more , but you can save big on your cooling bills. For more information on more complicated applications visit my blog at or check my recent article on premeasuring for and application of valley metal. This can be tricky and costly if done wrong.
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