AirTight Insulation on Hot Roof Systems

      Being in the insulation business for many years the hardest thing I had to adjust to when I sprayed Closed Cell Polyurethane foam was the idea of spraying directly to the roof sheathing. This went against everything that I had been taught about installing insulation on sloped or vaulted ceilings. It is common practice with open cell products, like fiberglass or cellulose, to install a poly vent baffle against the roof decking to allow air flow behind the insulation. Because these products do not make a complete air-impermeable seal or bond with the decking itself, heat is able to build behind the insulation. Using a baffle allows the heat buildup to escape through the ridge vent.

      AirTight Spray Foam insulation Creates a seamless, monolithic seal with the roof deck. There is no way that heat can build up between the insulation and the roof decking. Our Product applied at 2" can stop temperatures up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit from transferring into the interior of the attic. Eliminating heat from entering the attic area also eliminates the need for ventilation, which would be in place to allow heat to escape.

     I am frequently asked if this system will have a negative impact on the life of shingles. My answer to this question is ABSOLUTELY NOT! What causes shingles to curl is when the heat beneath the roof decking becomes greater than the heat on the surface of the shingle. This does not happen with the hot roof system. On the hottest afternoon the temperature of the attic should range between 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit. To prove that they agree with this philosophy, shingle manufactures have issued letters approving the use of the hot roof system with their products.

     Furthermore, this system eliminates the stack effect that results from a ventilated roof system. The stack effect is when the temperature differential between indoor and outdoor air, creates a pressure inward on the structure and draws air through the eave vents and exhausts the air through the ridge vents. This ventilation can actually work agaisnt you by drawing the conditioned air out of your house and exhausting it through your roof.

    AirTight Spray Foam Insulation has thousands of satisfied customers who have chosen this system. This is by far the most energy efficient method to insulate any structure. Stopping the heat at the point of entry just makes a lot more sense than having an attic that reaches temperatures well above 130 degrees. This also benefits those homes that have HVAC units and ductwork in the attic space. It allows the unit to work more efficiently and can prolong the life if the unit.