Everyone knows that a roof keeps buildings dry, but many might not realize the role roofs play in keeping a building warm. Insulation is a critical part of any roofing system, but the bigger the building, the more susceptible it is to temperature change. This is what makes proper insulation so important for commercial buildings in particular.
What Does Roof Insulation Do?
Insulation is a special material that sits between a roof’s outer layer and the waterproofing layer and/or deck. While there are many different types of insulation, they all work to protect a building from the elements outside. Here are a few things that roof insulation does for a building:
- Regulates temperature: Insulation’s primary purpose is to prevent heat transfer between the building and the outdoors. Insulation seals the cold air out of a building in the winter and traps cool air inside in the summer, keeping the building at a comfortable temperature.
- Reduces energy costs: Insulation seals out nasty weather, meaning that an HVAC system has less work to do to keep a building at an acceptable temperature. With insulation, just a little bit of temperature modification can go a long way because it will stay in the building longer without escaping through unsealed parts of the building.
- Provides fire resistance: Most insulation is fireproof and can help dampen flames or restrict their spread in case of a fire. Some building codes require insulation in some cases to improve a building’s fireproofing.
- Provides moisture protection: Insulation provides another line of defense between outdoor moisture and a building’s interior. Using the proper form of insulation can help prevent condensation under the roof membrane.
Proper Roof Insulation
Insulation goes into almost every building, but not every contractor knows how to insulate a roof properly. While some homeowners may install insulation themselves, this process becomes much more complicated with commercial roofs. It’s unlikely that a contractor or facility manager would know how to insulate a metal roof or how to insulate a concrete roof.
Improperly installed insulation can lead to leaks, moisture problems, and diminish a building’s ability to retain a comfortable temperature. With any insulation job, the most important thing is having the right roofing partner to avoid problems in the future.
Contact Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. today to learn more about how insulation can benefit your roof.