Hot top floor
The top floor of our attached wood frame townhouse is always at least 10 degrees hotter in the summer (feels like more than that though). It has a flat roof that slopes from front to back of the building. How does one properly insulate this sort of roof, there is hardly any space at all…
The top floor of our attached wood frame townhouse is always at least 10 degrees hotter in the summer (feels like more than that though). It has a flat roof that slopes from front to back of the building. How does one properly insulate this sort of roof, there is hardly any space at all between the ceiling and the actual roof, and as the ceilings are very low, we do not want to lower them any further. I am assuming this is an isulation issue, my husband thinks it’s a ventilation issue.
Another option possibly in combination with other systems is radiant barrier insulation-it’s basically rolls of perforated aluminum foil-I did this last summer and it made a huge difference and was about 100 bucks for my whole attic-do a search and check it out.I was skepticle but it really worked, especially for the heat issue in the summer
install a green roof. It will bring the temperature down.
http://www.liveroof.com
or, install a new white membrane roof, which will reflect the heat away.
I mean the huge cans, not small cans of paint. They come in 5-gal buckets…or are they larger? Whatever, they’re heavy!
BTW, painting the roof may be a DIY special BUT lugging those cans of paint up a ladder through a roof hatch on your own is a pain(especially the “silver” paint with all that metal powder added in).
I love going up on the roof…it’s always so refreshing though I find myself dreading having to fuss with the hatch beforehand. Once I put my mind to it and clamber up the ladder and make it out onto the roof I love it. Can be so relaxing. relatively wide open sky and the noticeable sound of wind through the oak trees…very nice.
In terms of insulation…I would look into Iocene if you’re planning no opening the ceilings. If not, be careful what you put in. Many materials (Fiberglas, cellulose, etc.) can get damp or simply accumlate condensation which builds up. It decreases the insulations R-value and can lead to other problems.
Do you research. A green roof would be great. One way of doing them is to lay down rigid insulation boards on the roof as part of the base. Exterior insulation with protection over it works well.
Also, window fans can help pull hot air up and out of the house faster like an attic fan would in a house with a peaked roof.
Good luck. We have the same problem. Top floor is warmer in winter though. Am thinking of moving the bedroom downstairs for summer this year. I keep threatening I’ll do but this maybe year I will.
Put in turbine vents commensurate with the area of the roof.
If you’re going to blow in cellulose insulation, these holes will accommodate the process. Then you mount the vents.
Paint the roof silver or white(Lowe’s or HD has materials.
These are all DIY projects and require no new electrical lines or permits.
Get it done now before heat-stroke season on the roof.
you can do a couple of other things too. you could add 2″ of rigid foam insulation on top of your roof and then put roofing over that, then you can paint the silver paint as well. also, you can put in a whole house vent and they make solar ones, that would get any hot air out but you would have some air current in your house. also, it’s probably crazy work but if you put a green roof up on the roof then you would definitely have a cooler space, it’s an excellent insulator. and btw, there probably is enough joist space to get some really good insulation in there if you wanted to, just do something like spray-in foam or blow-in cellulose for a best R value (fiberglass bat is the worst).
thank you
I assume you have used silver roof paint. If not, get that done.