Foam Insulation Roof Ventilation

A lot of builders and homeowners are going with spray foam insulation because of the airtightness benefits but then the questioner mentioned that the spray foam contractor had intentionally left big holes to the outside by not sealing the gable vents.

Foam insulation roof ventilation.

Nothing unusual about that. This alternative to traditional building insulation fiberglass can be applied into wall cavities holes concrete slabs and even onto roof tiles and. Zones 5 6 7 and 8 in that the manufacturers of these materials assume that roof deck may require ventilation to assist drying. Cathedral roofs especially need a lot more insulation between the ceiling and the rafters because there usually isn t any attic space.

Spray polyurethane foam is a chemical product that is created by two materials isocyanate and polyol resin that will react with each other when they are mixed and will expand up to 30 to 60 times its liquid volume as it is sprayed in place. If a blower door test reveals that your spray foam insulation reduced ventilation beyond an acceptable level you may need to install one of these units in your home. Sometimes humidity levels spike in an attic after a spray foam job. In an un vented roof foam can serve as the air barrier and vapor retarder and prevent moisture from getting in to the roof.

If spray foam is used a vent space may still be needed directly under the roof deck. Attic ceiling to stop airborne moisture from reaching a cold surface and condensing inside the building envelope in this design insulation effectively separates the interior and exterior spaces while slowing down moisture flow so the dewpoint is not achieved within. Care should be taken with these assemblies particularly in cold climate zone locations i e. Foam insulation can play an important role in both vented and un vented roof assemblies.

For the same reason insulation shouldn t touch the roof s underside. In a vented roof foam can seal the openings and serve as an air barrier and a vapor retarder in addition to its insulating function. High attic humidity often results from spray foam insulation. Staple plastic or foam baffles to the roof sheathing near the eaves to keep the material away.

All insulation materials require proper venting. The airflow from the soffits to the ridge vent keeps the roof cool and prevents ice dams and the material will block that flow. Heat from the house rises up to the attic but when there isn t one the heat rises up to the roof.