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.

One of the most common types of roofing materials are shingles. While shingles are generally associated with asphalt shingles, they actually embrace a wider range of materials.

Shingles include almost every roof cover type that does not involve a single material capping the entire roof. Hence, shingles could be made from different materials such as the common asphalt, wood, clay, tile and even metal.

Each type of shingle has its corresponding costs in labor and materials. The costlier versions are the so-called impact-resistant shingles since they provide defense against leaks, create roof deck protection, improve the physical appeal of the house and enhance energy efficiency.

To help you prepare your budget before embarking on a roofing project, we provide an estimate of the costs involved in the installation of the different types of shingles:

Asphalt Shingles

The most common type of shingles used for roofing because they cost less than other materials and are relatively easier to install, which make them perfect for DIY practitioners. They are lighter than other shingle types, and therefore, more convenient to use.

The cost of DIY asphalt shingles on a normal ranch-style house would range from $680 to $3,700. The cost variation depends on the design, material quality and roof size. Hiring a professional costs from $1,700 to $8,400.

Metal

Metals provide the longest roof lifespan because they are durable and not affected by issues faced by other shingles. Its high cost but long life make metal suited for people intending to stay in their homes for a long time.

Metal roofs cost from $5,100 to $22,000. Aluminum has a higher price range—$11,900 to $24,200. The cost of copper roofs range from around $25,500 to $39,600.

Slate

Its natural look and durability make slate a favorite among homeowners. Indeed, larger houses usually have slate for their roofs.

Costs vary from $17,000 to $84,000 for a 2,000 square-foot home. A 3,000 square-foot home will cost from $27,000 to $120,000 depending on location and design.

Tile

People love tiles because they can be formed into different colors and shapes. They are also easy to replace if they are damaged.

The cost of concrete tiles runs from $7,650 to $21,000. Ceramic tiles will cost around $11,900. If you want to customize the tiles, you will shell out a higher amount from $17,000 to $60,000.

Wood Shake

Wood shakes have more aesthetic appeal but require more maintenance because they deteriorate faster than other materials and are fire-prone. Insects and molds are other issues affecting wood shake shingles.

The costs vary from $6,800 to $20,000. Synthetic or simulated wood shakes made from rubber or plastic, which provide better fire protection, cost around $12,600 to $18,900.