Heat rises and therefore the building regulations requirements for heat loss through roofs are more stringent than those for walls.
Insulation regulations for flat roofs.
These are expressed as a u value which needs to be achieved.
Insulation tight to the roof deck i e.
Insulation on the floor of the attic figure 1.
The actual specification required for a compliant building and necessary building fabric u value targets may vary depending on the actual overall proposed specification and the outcome of the energy.
Materials used to make insulation in these three types include mineral wool fiberglass cellulose fiber vermiculite styrofoam polystyrene and polyurethane.
Continuous insulation zones ashrae 90 1 ashrae 189 1 igcc ibc iecc 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016 2009 2011 2014 2012 2015 2009 2012 2015 0 25 1 15 20 2 15 20 25 3 15 20 25 4 15 20 302535 5 15 20 302535 6 15 20 3035 7 15 20 3540 25 8 20 3540 25 minimum r value non residential above roof deck.
Building regulations simplified building regulations standards set the levels of thermal insulation required when carrying out building work either for new build or refurbishment projects.
A lower u value indicates better insulation properties hence u value requirements usually specify a maximum value.
Warm deck this is where the insulation is placed on top of the rafters joists and the roof covering is then placed over the insulation.
All warm flat roofs must also have a vcl vapour control layer inserted between the top decking and the first layer of insulation.
The limiting u value the maximise u value which cannot be exceeded required under current building regulations for the roof is 0 20w m.
No ventilation is required for these types of roofs.
It is important to note when insulation is on the floor of the attic the space between the insulation and the roof deck must be vented to the exterior.
One of the main benefits you will receive from installing a warm flat roof is condensation will not become an issue because of the positioning of the insulation.
Like other roofs insulating a flat one requires ample ventilation a vapor barrier and sealed bypasses.
U value of a flat roof to comply with part l of the building regulations 2010 all roofs to rooms except those in unheated buildings should be thermally insulated to a maximum u value of of 0 18 w m k.
Insulation entirely above the roof deck directly below the roof deck or both above and below the roof deck.
The below drawing shows the u value requirements set out for new properties in the building regulations for each element walls floors and roofs.
New rules and practical.
Building regulations for insulating a roof.
Cold deck this is where the insulation is placed between the joists rafters or in between the ceiling joists in the case of a pitch roof.
This insulation strategy has not changed in recent code iterations and is not discussed in this article.
