Roof insulation.. Airgap or no?

Anything to do with mechanical, construction etc

Roof insulation.. Airgap or no?

Postby TwoFeetShorter » Sun Jun 21, 2015 4:11 pm

Will be doing my roof in the next few days.... I will be using 2x2 spars to span across. When I get it ready for insulation foam sheets do I double up my sheets to completely fill the space between roof and ceiling, or do I use one sheet and have an air gap?

My house construction knowledge says air gap for roofs, but that requires ventilation, which is a no go on this camper.

So, air gap or no?

Any input appreciated!

Neil
TwoFeetShorter
Teardrop Builder
 
Posts: 43
Images: 60
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2015 3:52 pm
Location: Western KY

Re: Roof insulation.. Airgap or no?

Postby bobhenry » Sun Jun 21, 2015 4:51 pm

I filled mine full for the support of the inner and outer skin.
Growing older but not up !
User avatar
bobhenry
Ten Grand Club
Ten Grand Club
 
Posts: 10355
Images: 2614
Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2007 7:49 am
Location: INDIANA, LINDEN

Re: Roof insulation.. Airgap or no?

Postby noseoil » Sun Jun 21, 2015 7:20 pm

At work we use a simple rule for attic space. If it's insulated at the diaphragm (at the roof deck itself) there are no vents. If the insulation is on the ceiling, it needs a vent to move the air out above the insulation. If it was a vented area, the rule of thumb is the square footage (floor area) divided by 150 for vented area in the building. In my tear (5' X 9') that would be about 1/3 of a square foot or about a 10" X 5" vent. Since the spars take up space and block airflow, the insulation needs to be about full at the roof. If you can find some foil-faced insulation, put the foil facing outwards (walls & roof). I'm planning on two layers of 3/4" polystyrene with expanding foam to seal the edges which don't fit perfectly. I will use the foil on one face to the inside and one to the outside. Our biggest problem where I live is the heat in summer.

Short answer, what Bob said!
Build log: viewtopic.php?f=50&t=60248
The time you spend planning is more important than the time you spend building.........

137905
User avatar
noseoil
1000 Club
1000 Club
 
Posts: 1820
Images: 669
Joined: Sun Apr 27, 2014 8:46 am
Location: Raton, New Mexico, living the good life!
Top

Re: Roof insulation.. Airgap or no?

Postby TwoFeetShorter » Mon Jun 22, 2015 11:47 am

Thanks for the input guys. Looks like I will be filling it full with no air gap. I will be using screws/glue of course, but with all my insulation I will also be taping off the edges with foil tape.

Neil
TwoFeetShorter
Teardrop Builder
 
Posts: 43
Images: 60
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2015 3:52 pm
Location: Western KY
Top


Return to Teardrop Construction Tips & Techniques

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 23 guests