Insulating Flat Roof In Florida

This method involves leaving a ventilation space above the insulation.

Insulating flat roof in florida. Climate zone 1 consists of the following south florida counties. We recommend having at least 20 r value worth of material for optimal energy efficiency. For the material that covers a flat roof wind resistance is less critical and the material tends to have negligible impact from salt spray. It is top quality and the most cost effective product for your flat roof.

Insulation requirements in florida residential requirements for insulation are divided by the location in the home. Let s say you measured your attic and you realize your attic has about 9 inches r 30 of insulation and your attic is about 40 sq feet you d need at least 3 inches of extra insulation that covers 40 sq ft to get an r value of r 38. The material that works best depends largely upon preference in a given situation. While expensive the best insulation is polyiso rigid foam.

In fact it may cause damage in the long term. All other florida counties are considered to be in climate zone 2 and require a minimum r 38. This system was often used in the past but is not recommended nowadays. Most insulation you buy will have a sq ft number for easy reference.

The space is located beneath the roof sheathing and above the ceiling of the living space. Like other roofs insulating a flat one requires ample ventilation a vapor barrier and sealed bypasses. Insulating a roof from inside is technically feasible. Today we ll go over insulation for your attic and why it s essential to your florida home.

It s what s called the cold roof principle. For block walls interior insulation must meet or exceed r 7 8 and exterior insulation must be r 6. For a 1 inch board equivalent of 6 r value. There are different insulation requirements and recommendations for different parts of your home.

The main concern from florida building code is that any structures or vents that may reside on the flat roof must be properly fastened and sealed. Framed wall insulation must meet or exceed r 13. You can expect to pay about 55 100 sq ft. Broward collier hendry lee miami dade monroe and palm beach and require a minimum r 30 attic insulation.

But the story doesn t end there. Materials used to make insulation in these three types include mineral wool fiberglass cellulose fiber vermiculite styrofoam polystyrene and polyurethane. When the insulation is installed properly there will be plenty of ventilation for a residential structure.