Exterior Roof Insulation Retrofit for Energy Efficiency and Durability

Exterior roof insulation retrofit is a game-changer for energy efficiency and durability. By installing insulation on the exterior of your roof, you can reduce heat transfer and minimize energy losses.

This approach can save homeowners up to 30% on their energy bills. In fact, a study found that exterior insulation retrofit can pay for itself in just a few years through energy savings.

The key to a successful exterior roof insulation retrofit is choosing the right materials. A popular choice is rigid foam insulation, which can be installed on top of the existing roof deck.

To start, strip the walls and roof to prepare the area for insulation. This will give you a clean slate to work with.

Cut off the rafter tails to seal the connection between the roof and walls with a peel and stick membrane. This will help prevent air leaks and water damage.

Next, cover the roof with a waterproof barrier or membrane to protect it from the elements. This will ensure a dry and secure surface for the insulation.

Two layers of foam insulation go on the roof, staggering the seams and offsetting the joints for added security. The seams are then taped on the top layer for a tight seal.

New roof sheathing is installed on top, screwed into the framing an inch and a half for added stability. This provides a solid base for the insulation and roofing materials.

A roofing underlayment is applied to the roof deck, protecting against liquid water while allowing vapor to escape. This ensures a healthy and dry environment for the insulation.

To keep bugs out, a J channel is bent at the bottom of the wall and tucked behind the house wrap. This creates a secure barrier against pests and debris.

Two layers of insulation are installed on the walls, with the outer layer's seams taped for an air seal. This ensures a tight and secure fit.

Bug screen is attached to the bottom of the wall to keep ventilation channels clear. This allows for airflow and prevents moisture buildup.

At the corners, foam panels are woven together to disrupt clear air paths between inside and out. This creates a secure and airtight seal.

The corners are then wrapped with peel and stick membrane to meet them tightly. This ensures a secure and weather-tight seal.

Furring strips are screwed to the foam, an inch and a half into the framing, providing ventilation space and a solid base for siding. This creates a secure and stable surface for the siding.

A soffit is boxed out at the top of the wall, tying everything together with fascia. This creates a secure and finished look.

Finally, the siding is installed, making sure to detail the bug screen tightly at the bottom of the wall. This ensures a secure and weather-tight seal.

RetroShield's patented Clip & Pin technology simplifies the retrofit metal building insulation process, eliminating the need for external supports.

This innovation promises long-term stability and an aesthetically pleasing finish. The RetroShield System offers continuous insulation and can be back-loaded with additional mass insulation for specific thermal performance or R-value requirements.

RetroShield retrofit insulation significantly enhances metal building roof and walls, reducing radiant heat transfer by 94%. This reflective insulation technology provides high reflectivity and low emissivity for superior thermal performance.

The features and benefits of Retrofit Insulation include:

RetroShield's reflective technology keeps buildings cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, improving comfort with less load on HVAC systems. It also reduces condensation and adds thermal performance & comfort, year-round.

Here's a summary of RetroShield's key benefits:

Moisture is the main issue to consider when insulating pitched roofs using retrofit solutions. It's inevitable that moisture will find its way into the roof system at some point.

The design of the roof must be able to deal with this moisture. PAVATEX, a woodfibre board, is highly vapour permeable and can buffer moisture vapour.

PAVATEX enables moisture to leave the system, maintaining air tightness while releasing moisture vapour inwards and outwards. This makes it an excellent solution for moisture vapour control.

Easy to install insulation and vapor retarder solutions, like PAVATEX, can keep your metal building drier year-round.

Soprema has published possible build-ups for both externally fitted and internally fitted systems, based on the most common types of roofs in the UK, such as felt roofs, and the most common rafter depths and other roof aspects.

These build-ups comply with the most stringent standards, including Passivhaus. Soprema's experts can provide bespoke solutions based on their insights and your expectations.

To ensure compliance, it's essential to consider various factors, including:

Our roofing products meet or exceed several important standards. These include the ASTM C-1224-03 Standard Specification of Reflective Insulation, which ensures our products provide the best possible insulation while also being environmentally friendly.

We also ensure our products meet International Building, Residential and Energy Codes, which means they're suitable for a wide range of applications. This includes homes, commercial buildings, and even industrial facilities.

In addition to these general standards, our products also meet the specific codes of the state of Florida. This includes the Florida Building, Residential and Energy Conservation Codes, which are designed to ensure our products meet the unique needs of Florida's climate and building requirements.

Here are some of the specific codes our products meet:

This means our products not only meet the minimum requirements but also go above and beyond to ensure your building is safe, energy-efficient, and compliant with local regulations.

Retrofit roofing requires a deep understanding of pitched roofs and the risks involved in insulating them. This includes knowledge of the most common types of roofs in the UK, such as felt roofs, and the most common rafter depths.

Soprema has published possible build-ups for both externally fitted and internally fitted systems, which comply with the most stringent standards, including Passivhaus. Their experts can provide bespoke solutions based on their insights and your expectations.

Retrofit insulation is a case-by-case matter, requiring consideration of various factors, including the condition of the existing roof, the build-up of the roof, Building Regulations, and the required thermal value.

Some of the key design considerations for retrofit insulation include the condition of the existing roof, the build-up of the roof, and whether the building is in a conservation area.

Roofs can be a source of leaks and condensation, but exterior insulation can help control condensation.