Roof insulation functions to keep temperature stable inside the house by keeping heat inside or outside the house. There are different types of insulation used in roof repair Calgary and some perform better than others. They work by using dead air spaces to slow down the flow and transmission of heat.

Insulation is essential in every roof assembly because it extends the life of the roof and enhances the performance of the roofing system. Selecting the right insulation is therefore vital because a wrong choice could be detrimental to your roof.

Different insulation types are available and utilized in roof repair Calgary, each with its own way of protecting the roof from temperature fluctuations.

These are some of the most common types of roof insulation:

Gypsum Board

The generic term applies to a type of panel products made up of water-resistant and non-combustible gypsum core. Gypsum board is more commonly called drywall, plasterboard and wallboard. To improve its roof-membrane adhesion, the board is treated with a non-asphalt proprietary coating on one side. It is commonly used as a thermal insulator on steel decks, cover board for foam-plastic insulations and vapor-retarder substrate.

Cellular Glass Insulation

This is made up of crashed glass mixed with a foaming agent. The materials are combined and reheated creating a uniform but connected cells or buns with insulating and flotation properties. The resulting composition is resistant to high heat, moisture and fire. Its widespread commercial use in roofing insulation stems from its exemplary cold storage applications.

Polyisocyanurate

A highly stable foam-plastic created from the combination of isocyanurate and polyol. It has the highest thermal insulating property among all conventional foam insulation available in the market today. The material is placed between organic or inorganic facers (glass-fiber mat and glass-fiber-reinforced aluminum foil).

Wood Fiber

An organic insulation based on cane, wood and vegetation fibers combined with binders and fillers. To enhance its resistance to moisture, some manufacturers coat the material with asphalt.

Perlite

Perlite is composed of inorganic and expanded silicaceous volcanic glass combined with fillers and binders. To minimize the absorption of adhesive to the insulation while applying roof membrane, the surface is coated with asphalt or proprietary material.

Polystyrene

A type of rigid foam insulation normally used on both residential and commercial structures. Its positive features include enhanced ability to insulate against extreme temperatures and noise. It is also waterproofed and durable. It comes in two types—expanded and extruded. The latter is the superior product for insulation because of additional qualities.

Also known as drywall and wallboard, gypsum board is a panel made of gypsum plaster between thick sheets of paper and used on interior walls and ceilings. It has been widely used in houses since the 1940s and for good reasons like roof insulation in Kansas roofing. Unlike other panel-type products such as plywood, fiberboard and hardboard, gypsum board has a non-combustible core.

Using gypsum board in Kansas roofing presents many concrete advantages. We listed some of these:

1. Fire Resistant

An outstanding quality of gypsum board is its excellent resistance to fire. It is in fact the most commonly-used interior material in areas with required fire resistance classifications. Exposed to high temperature, its core – made up of 21% chemically combined water – is gradually discharged as steam. This quality slows the transfer of heat and spread of fire. Even after the water has been released from the core, the board continues to act as an insulator.

2. Sound Retardant

A key consideration in the construction of buildings is managing sound transfer between rooms. Unwanted sound must be controlled and prevented from going into adjoining areas especially in buildings with multiple occupants doing diverse activities. Using gypsum board on ceilings and walls effectively retards the transmission of sound to adjacent areas.

3. Cost-Effective

Compared to other products, gypsum boards can be installed at much-lower labor costs. They are also ordinarily available at local supply stores and can easily be applied during construction. Their availability and fire-resistant quality make gypsum boards very cost-effective to use.

4. Easy to Install

Gypsum boards are very lightweight and can easily be handled by two workers to cover a large area in a short time. The application techniques can be learned in a few hours by installers. Assemblies require only a few tools for their construction. The board can be cut using knives or saws, and attached with different fasteners including nails, screws and staples. You can also use adhesives to attach the board to substrates.

5. Versatile

A great feature of gypsum boards is their ability to satisfy most architectural design requirements. Taking into consideration the other qualities of the product such as availability, performance, ease of use and repair, fire resistance, adaptability to different finishes and decorations, we can say that gypsum boards is a versatile product unmatched by most alternate systems.

6. Durable

Gypsum boards are widely used to construct strong walls and high-quality ceilings. They offer superior durability and stability compared to other products. Decorating and refinishing gypsum boards can be made with ease.

Advancement in technology that leads to better insulating and waterproofing materials find many people gravitating to flat roofs as a viable option in house construction. However, the traditional pitched roof still holds a lot of attention not only because its design had been tested through the years but also because people believe that a house with pitched roof feels more like home.

If you are one of the traditionalists who think pitched roofs are the better option, you are not actually wrong. Pitched roofs have distinct advantages that other roof designs, such as a flat roof, do not have. Here are some expert roofers Denver tips about why you should select this option for your home.

1. Additional Space

Pitched roofs have two slopes on each side that rise and meet at the apex. The construction leaves wide usable space in the loft area. Most people use the extra space for storage, additional living room, recreation room or even a study area.

2. Longer Lifespan

The materials used on pitched roofs are not only durable but also weather resistant and can therefore last a long time. The design of the roofs, angled in such a way that rain, snow and ice tend to slide down to the ground through the gutters and downspouts, afford better protection against the harsh elements and ensure longer lifespan for the roof.

3. Insulation

Pitched roofs afford better insulation to the interior of the house compared to flat roofs, which could suffer from extreme temperatures. This feature is particularly significant in areas with extreme weather conditions.

4. Natural Blend

A house with pitched roofs can easily blend with adjacent and neighboring houses. An angled roof also appears natural and great for extensions such as garages, porches and workplaces.

5. Appealing

Many people regard houses with pitched roofs as more appealing and suited for residence since they evoke feelings of traditional homes. Flat roofs are generally associated with buildings and offices.

6. Cheaper Repair Costs

Flat roof repairs cost significantly more than pitched roofs. While pitched roofs may cost more to install, they pay for themselves in the long term because they last long and cost less to repair.

7. Ease of Inspection

All roofs, including pitched roofs, require periodic inspection and maintenance to ensure several years of optimum condition. If you are not comfortable walking on top of angled roofs, you can just walk around your house from your front and backyards. You will be able to see practically the entire roof due to the tilt of the roof.