Benefits of HD Insulation
On many of our quotes and proposals for a new roof system, an option is presented for ½” HD insulation. Oftentimes, the additional cost may be similar to upgrading to a thicker membrane or even upgrading to more insulation. So what is HD insulation, and is it worth the additional cost? HD insulation is a stronger version of standard polyisocyanurate insulation, which is the most common type of insulation installed on flat roof systems. The difference is that standard polyisocyanurate insulation is 20 PSI, and HD polyisocyanurate insulation is 80 PSI to 120 PSI, depending on the type and manufacturer used. So, it is somewhere between 4 to 6 times stronger than standard insulation. So why does the strength of the insulation, which is under the roof membrane, matter? It provides a stronger surface for the new roof system to be installed over, which helps reduce punctures and support the membrane overall. The best way to visualize this is to think of a piece of paper. If you try to write on it on a soft surface, or even no surface, the pen will go right through the paper. If you write on a solid surface, like a wooden desk, the paper doesn’t puncture. With HD insulation, it’s a similar concept. It’s harder to puncture or damage the roofing membrane if the underlying insulation has […]
Why So Much Insulation?
It seems like with each year that goes by, more and more insulation is required by building code when a full tear-off is completed. In 2010, 3.3” insulation was required to reach “R” 20. Then, 3.5” insulation was required to reach “R” 20. As of 1-1-2020, building code requires either 4.4” insulation to reach “R” 25 or 5.2” insulation to reach “R” 30 depending on where you live. This increase has been the result of two major changes. First, energy codes are getting more stringent as everyone is trying to make more energy-efficient buildings. In New England, we are cooling during the summer, and heating during the winter. This results in a lot of energy going through our buildings each season, which is why more insulation can help create heating and cooling savings over the long run. A lot of calculators exist to show you how much you can save by adding more insulation. However, in my opinion, a lot of these calculators are inaccurate because it is impossible to predict the future cost of heating and cooling your building, especially when you are expecting to look 20 to 30 years down the road! Another factor at play is the “R” value per inch of insulation. In 2014, 1” of polyisocyanurate insulation, or “Iso,” totaled an “R” value of 6. Since then, “R” values on […]
New 2014 Polyisocyanurate “R” Values
On January 1st, 2014, the Long-Term Thermal Resistance values (LTTR ) or “R” value for polyisocyanurate insulation will be reduced from 6 per inch to 5.6 per inch. To make things more confusing, the “R” value per inch is not consistent. The thicker the insulation, the greater the “R” value per inch. So, 1” polyisocyanurate insulation will have an “R” value of 5.6, where an identical 1.5” sheet will have an “R” value of 5.7 per inch. The following is a table comparing the old “R” values to the new “R” values: One layer of rigid insulation Thickness Prior to 2014 “R” Values After 2014 “R” Values LTTR Value “R” per inch LTTR Value “R” per inch 1” 6.0 6.0 5.6 5.7 1.5” 9.0 6.0 8.6 5.7 2” 12.1 6.1 11.4 5.8 3” 18.5 6.2 17.4 5.8 4” 25.0 6.2 23.6 5.9 Two Layers of rigid insulation “R” Value Prior to 2014 Thickness After 2014 Thickness 15 2 layers of: 1.3” 2 layers of: 1.4” 20 2 layers of: 1.7” 2 layers of: 1.8” 25 2 layers of: 2.1” 2 layers of: 2.2” 30 2 layers of: 2.5” 2 layers of: 2.6” 35 2 layers of: 2.9” 2 layers of: 3.1” 40 2 layers of: 3.3” 2 layers of: 3.5” According to Hunter Panels, one of the leading manufacturers of rigid polyisocyanyurate insulation, the reason […]
“R”=25, The New Rhode Island Flat Roofing Standard
Island Flat Roofing Standard In the middle of 2013, Rhode Island’s “R” value requirements for new flat roof systems changed from a minimum of 20 to a minimum of 25. As before, this only applies to instances where the existing roof system is removed, not situations where a new roof is installed over an existing roof. While many building inspectors in Rhode Island are not yet enforcing the new minimum “R” value requirements, as time marches on, it will become more and more common. And, Massachusetts is talking about enacting the same requirements state wide. To make things more confusing, beginning in 2014, the “R” value of polyisocyanurate insulation, the most common form of rigid insulation used in flat roofing, was decreased due to new testing standards. With the “R” value of insulation going down and the minimum “R” value going up, a decent amount of insulation will need to be added to the roof assembly. Prior to January 1st, 2014, 1 layer of 4” polyisocyanurate insulation was required to meet an “R” value of 25 or 2 layers of 2.1” to achieve the same “R” value. After January 1, 2014, 1 layer of 4.25” polyisocyanurate insulation will be required to meet an “R” value of 25 or 2 layers of 2.2”. Compared to the old minimum “R” value of 20 under the old testing […]