The choice of roofing is not an easy decision when you consider the different types of insulation available in the market. Many insulation installers specialize in one or two products. Therefore, you are likely to get contrasting views about which insulation material is best.
Price is often a major factor when choosing roofing, with prices varying widely, depending on the materials. When you know how much you can afford and/or are willing to spend on roof should help you choose a product that falls within your budget.
Nevertheless, different types of insulation have different pros and cons. When you take the time to consider the strong and weak points of each material, this should help you make an informed decision.
· Insulation material
It is important to consider which material meets your specific home needs. To help you make an informed decision, you need to consider your ceiling space, location/climate and acoustic properties. The ceiling space depends on the roof type (i.e. pitched or flat), ceiling joists uniformity, and future use of ceiling space (e.g. storage).
The ceiling space can influence the choice of insulation. The location/climate can also affect the type of insulation and material, with some working better in hotter climates and ceiling insulation in cooler climates. Roof material that has superior acoustic and thermal properties is highly recommended.
· Roof type
There are two types of roofs; flat roofs and pitched roofs. Therefore, your choice of roof insulation should take into consideration the roof type. Furthermore, your choice of flat roof and pitched roof insulation should take into consideration the environmental impact, health impact, acoustic properties, and price.
Any material that has been produced using renewable or recycled material makes the insulation environmentally friendly. Furthermore, they offer a more cost effective option to produce. The health impact is another important factor when making a choice. Although all most materials are relatively safe, some materials can affect asthma and allergy-sufferers.
· Types of insulation
Homeowners are increasingly looking for ways of maximizing on their living area. As a result, attics are being transformed into places to inhabit. Once you have determined which one suits your needs, the next step is to determine how much insulation (material thickness) is required.
The most efficient way of achieving R-value is to combine an internal or external layer with insulated layers between the rafters to ensure the required R-value is attained and repeated thermal bridges eliminated from the structural rafters.
