Insulating Metal Roof In Cold Climates

Metal roofs are a good long term investment for those in colder areas of the country.

Insulating metal roof in cold climates.

In very cold climate zones this minimum r value should be increased to r 50. Insulate the ceiling adequately. Use designs with a cold roof such as those featuring a vented attic. Fiberglass is also one of the preferred materials for metal and steel buildings and homes.

You can purchase 14 in. Otherwise homeowners will find their heating system has to work harder to keep the home warm. Colors such as bronze brown or dark gray versus white or light earth tones will help do the trick. Stainless steel tends to be soft.

Don t forget to make sure it s plugged in. Add underlayment upgrades such as peel and stick modified bituminous sheets. Ventilation rafter the 2x4 standing proud is connected through the roof rigid insulation with a metal bracket and a long roofing screw. You want your entire metal roof including the eaves as ventilated as possible and are very well insulated.

356 mm long epoxy coated steel screws. In order to control ice damming heat flow form the interior to the roof cladding must be minimized. Some roof assemblies use very impermeable materials such as peel and stick membranes on the exterior. Care should be taken with these assemblies particularly in cold climate zone locations i e.

Stay away from stainless steel screws because the heads twist off. Some metal roofing can also withstand strong winds making it ideal for blizzard climates. In the northern parts of the country zones 5 8 energystar recommends insulating your attic to somewhere between r49 60. You want a cool roof a cool roof is essential when installing one in the cold climate of minnesota or wisconsin.

Pros and cons of metal roofs in cold climates. That s a ton of insulation but you need it in these cold climates. Consider a roof color with a high solar absorption value that will help thaw snow and ice. Ventilating the underside of the roof insulating the attic floor and plugging air leaks are usually the answer.

Ask me how i know. In cold climate zones the minimum total r value for the entire unvented roof assembly should be r 40. Zones 5 6 7 and 8 in that the manufacturers of these materials assume that roof deck may require ventilation to assist drying. We recommend always having a roof deck installed so there can be an underlayment applied for ice dam protection.

Keep the entire roof as cold as the eaves. However while metal roofing can act as a repellent for snow it requires additional insulation for colder climates.