Different seasons of the year have different effects on the roofs of Utah homes and businesses. No matter the season, rigid insulation for your flat roof can protect your roof and home from weather-related damage, with the added benefit of helping to keep your home or business cooler in summer and warmer throughout the winter months.
As a trusted roofing contractor in Utah, the experts at Vertex Roofing Contractors have the ability to install rigid insulation for the flat roof of your home, multi-unit apartment or business. Here, you can learn about the installation process, maintenance and benefits of rigid insulation for flat roofs, and discover how Vertex Roofing Contractors can provide the expert workmanship and professionalism required to properly install and maintain rigid insulation for your flat roof.
What is Rigid Insulation?
The U.S. Department of Energy explains that while it is likely more expensive than some other types of roofing insulation, rigid insulation is versatile, effective and likely gives the best value for the money.
In fact, Fine Home Building points out that installing rigid foam insulation on top of roof sheathing is one of the best ways to insulate a roof; that it reduces air leaks, interrupts thermal bridging through the rafters and provides other benefits.
There are three types of rigid insulation used on flat or sloping roofs, including:
- Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)
- Extruded Polystyrene (XPS)
- Polyisocyanurate (Polyiso)
Of the three types of rigid flat roof insulation, EPS is less expensive than the other two. However, it is the most vapor-permeable. While any of the three types of rigid insulation is okay to use, there are several key differences, including:
- R-value per inch
- Permeability to water vapor
- Water resistance
- Compressive strengths
- Facings
Several benefits exist when choosing rigid insulation over other types of insulation for flat roofs. Most importantly, it potentially saves the headaches of costly repairs, up to and including whole roof replacement if you choose other types of insulation that do not offer the protection provided by rigid foam insulation.
Rigid Insulation for Flat Roofing
Before installing rigid insulation for the flat roof of your home or business, your roofing contractor will determine if any damage already exists, which is not uncommon. This is especially true if your home, apartment building, or business is an older structure. Many older flat or sloping roofs were simply not built correctly, which potentially contributes to leaks, inadequate ventilation, mold and rot.
The three types of rigid insulation for flat roofs keep you warmer during the colder months and cooler during warm weather, resulting in lower heating and cooling costs. Whether you choose expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS) or the polyisocyanurate rigid insulation for flat roof, installing it is not a do-it-yourself (DIY) job. Properly installing rigid roof insulation requires the expertise of highly qualified roofing contractors. Once installed, maintenance of your flat roof rigid insulation is crucial to the ongoing care and maintenance of your roof.
Vertex Roofing Contractors Experts
Vertex Roofing Contractors has more than 12 years of experience throughout Utah, installing new roofs, all types of insulation including rigid insulation for flat roof homes and businesses and making roofing repairs. Vertex Roofing Contractors experts provide top-notch services to meet all your roofing needs. Our certifications include:
- Certified Roofing Contractor - Utah
- SELECT ShingleMaster
- Owens Corning Preferred Contractor
Contact us at (801) 639-0477 or click here to schedule a free consultation and learn more about rigid insulation flat roof information, or to discuss other roofing needs with Vertex Roofing Contractors, a trusted source for all types of roofing installations and repairs in Utah.