Insulating A Roof Without An Attic

Batt insulation can be added to the underside of the roof between rafters and a layer of batt or loose insulation can be added over the attic flooring.

Insulating a roof without an attic.

Airspace from the soffit to the ridge by installing a continuous air chute in each rafter bay. Having insulation in your attic can help you save up to 20 in heating and cooling costs. So insulating the floor of the attic is not only the best solution but it is also the simplest and cheapest. If you ve ever wondered why your attic has insulation it s because it acts as a barrier against temperature extremes.

After a snowstorm this heat aids in melting the snow more quickly thus minimizing the snow load on. In practical terms you can choose between mineral wool or insulation boards. Staple plastic or foam baffles to the roof sheathing near the eaves to keep the material away. Insulating the attic floor.

Insulating the roof is a priority if the ceilings of your home happen to be part of the roof deck as is the case with cathedral ceilings. Depending on your climate you ll need r 30 to r 49 to meet code which is 5 to 8 1 2 inches of polyiso rigid foam which is r 6 per inch. For the same reason insulation shouldn t touch the roof s underside. Once air leaks have been addressed you can add insulation.

Check around windows or vents and examine the perimeter looking for tiny gaps or holes. Staple them directly to the roof decking for better insulating roof rafters. The airflow from the soffits to the ridge vent keeps the roof cool and prevents ice dams and the material will block that flow. This is because without attic insulation heat typically rises in the house and warms the roof.

And having insulation in your attic keeps the area at a consistent temperature. This may pose a problem for the longevity of your roof as these ceilings also typically do not have enough room to allow for proper air flow of the roof. To install the air chutes staple them directly to the roof decking. If you do not use the attic much it is pointless heating this area.

Insulating a roof without an attic homes that have cathedral ceilings or no attic space also have less room for insulation than the typical home. I would lean toward adding rigid foam either on top of the roof or on the inside under the joists if reducing headroom isn t a problem.