Roof

[sickcars]

Hello,

Just wondering if anybody has experience with this?

We are currently getting our roof redone after 20+ years. So the company thats doing it is also installing some kind of 1inch thick Styrofoam thing on the roof.

So it would be like this.

__________ <---- Regular Roof (so tar paper and shingles etc)
----------- <---- Styrofoam
__________ <--- Roof (Wood)


Just wanted to know if anybody knows if this Styrofoam stuff is any good? He said they no longer sell it but he had a bunch of it left over from his own house. I'm guessing it helps keeping the heat in or something not sure.

Thanks

[Mouse]

I would be wary of an ice dam forming under all those layers.

But if they have an extra tar paper layer at the bottom of the roof, then you might be ok.

[Lesley]

I've never heard of that but you may want to replace the tar paper with Grace ice and water shield. It's more expensive but it greatly reduces the chance that your roof will leak in the future.

[Mouse]

What she said.

[sickcars]

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure exactly how they have it setup it may have another level of tar paper under the foam I’m not sure I have not seen it myself.

That’s just what I heard they were doing, my dad is taking care of it and I was just concerned what it was since I have never heard about this foam thing.

Thanks :)

[Lesley]

Regarding the heat retention, I'm pretty sure you don't want your roof to hold in any extra heat. You want insulation between the ceiling and the attic but not between the outside of the house and the roof.

[Mouse]

Yes, vent that sucker and save money.

Some have passive whirly-birds, some have ones that come on at a certain temperature.

[sickcars]

well I know we have vents.

hmm I wonder why that foam was put there....hmmm Im going to see if I can find out.

Thanks

[Mouse]

Foam over the ceiling studs I could understand. As extra insulation for the "pink" or whatever between the studs.

But on the roof deck it makes no sense, whatsoever.

[Aristera]

Assuming that the house is a standard building and the attic is not a livable space, there is zero reason for Styrofoam to be on a roof. The attic is a cold area and should be the same temperature as outside.

The reason is that if heat is in the attic in the winter, snow on your roof will melt and water will run down the roof until it reaches the overhang where it will freeze forming an ice dam. More water will flow down the roof hitting the damn and flow back up under the shingles and into the house causing all sorts of damage.

Shingles by them selves will protect a roof but should they fail such as wind damage or age, tar paper or ice and water shield is a backup measure to keep the elements out. That is the function of a roof.

[sickcars]

Ok so this is what I found and its probably what they installed on the flat part of our roof.

http://www.dow.com/styrofoam/na/pro-canada/products/roofmate.htm

""STYROFOAM™ ROOFMATE™ extruded polystyrene insulation with fabric and ballast is installed above waterproofing membranes. This helps keep the membrane at a more steady temperature and minimizes the harmful effects of freeze/thaw cycles, weathering and physical damage during and after construction – the most common causes of premature roof failure. STYROFOAM ROOFMATE extruded polystyrene insulation offers high R-value, compressive strength and moisture resistance for protected membrane roofing applications""

[Ken_ver_1_5]

similar stuff they used on our buildings about 6 years ago.

[lovey]

Ok so this is what I found and its probably what they installed on the flat part of our roof.

http://www.dow.com/styrofoam/na/pro-canada/products/roofmate.htm

""STYROFOAM™ ROOFMATE™ extruded polystyrene insulation with fabric and ballast is installed above waterproofing membranes. This helps keep the membrane at a more steady temperature and minimizes the harmful effects of freeze/thaw cycles, weathering and physical damage during and after construction – the most common causes of premature roof failure. STYROFOAM ROOFMATE extruded polystyrene insulation offers high R-value, compressive strength and moisture resistance for protected membrane roofing applications""
I'am in constuction and never seen that done on a normal house which doesn't have a flat roof

[mcduff]

Ive seen it done on my neighbors s few years back but, that was because he was installing a steel roof.

[Aristera]

From their site, that foam is designed for a flat or low slope (nearly flat) roof. To put that or any foam on a regular roof is a waste of time and money.

[mikemyers]

Hey I know your roof has been done already but this goes out to anyone else. Don't use the product. Do you live in Whitby? I seen 2 years ago a company did a roof using that product. And last summer it blew off in a big wind storm. It's not designed to be nailed through, and also your roof cannot breath. Shingles need to breath, hence fiberglass shingles now. That blue insulation is used on steel roofs, and it is designed to be screwed with special screws and washers, not shingled on. If you would like some more advice or help leave me a message. Ohhh Im a roofer by trade. Thanks

[Ogee]

To all those who keep insisting that the product is only used on flat roofs, please note that Sickcars said that is where it was used: 'what they installed on the flat part of our roof.'

I have no idea whether it is a good or not good product...