How To Insulate A Shed Roof

In this energy smart homes article senior editor martin holladay explains how to insulate a vented low slope shed roof using a combination of intake vents and cupolas.

How to insulate a shed roof.

Insulating a shed roof is typically done using insulation below the roof deck and between the rafters. Leaving a 2 gap above the insulation should be sufficient. In areas with a cold climate part of the year r38 is the minimum and r50 is recommended. Fully insulate your shed the more costly option but of course the most effective one is to fully insulate your shed and to do this you will first need to identify all areas that will need some work.

Before insulating your shed make sure it s sealed replace any broken windows and patch any holes in the roof if necessary. However creating a vented roof gives a thermal separation between the roof and the conditioned heated and cooled spaces of the house so the sun baking on your metal roof won t over stress your air conditioning in the summer and snow will melt off your roof slower in the. Condensation will form without adequate ventilation when the heat rises. This can lead to mold growth and rotting of wood.

First you do not have to create a vented shed roof. Keep in mind also that the longest lasting shed roofs are usually made of such metals as aluminum steel or copper. Because of limited space between the roof sheathing and ceiling joists a low slope shed roof can be difficult to insulate properly. If you insulate your shed roof be sure to leave ventilation space especially in heated insulated sheds.

Then measure the space between the studs and the size of your shed so you know what width of insulation to buy. This includes gaps in the panels the quality of the windows and door the quality of the wood leaks in the roof damp from the floor. You can insulate your shed roof to enhance more energy savings but make sure that you insulate the roof properly. The roof of insulated sheds.

Care is needed to ensure that there is sufficient ventilation space between the underside of the roof deck and the top of the insulation. A roof is like a hat. It keeps everything under it warm. For a heated shed warmer air inside rises and can have a relatively high moisture content.

The minimum rating of r38 in a roof requires some creative planning in the roof design of a new shed with 2 x6 minimum roof construction.