Domestic cold pitched roofs in the UK: - effect of using different roof insulation materials

Essah, E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1349-5167 (2012) Domestic cold pitched roofs in the UK: - effect of using different roof insulation materials. International Journal of Ventilation, 11 (3). pp. 281-286. ISSN 2044-4044

Abstract/Summary

The type and thickness of insulation on the topside horizontal of cold pitched roofs has a significant role in controlling air movement, energy conservation and moisture transfer reduction through the ceiling to the loft (roof void) space. To investigate its importance, a numerical model using a HAM software package on a Matlab platform with a Simulink simulation tool has been developed using insitu measurements of airflows from the dwelling space through the ceiling to the loft of three houses of different configurations and loft space. Considering typical UK roof underlay (i.e. bituminous felt and a vapour permeable underlay), insitu measurements of the 3 houses were tested using a calibrated passive sampling technique. Using the measured airflows, the effect of air movement on three types of roof insulation (i.e. fibreglass, cellulose and foam) was modelled to investigate associated energy losses and moisture transport. The thickness of the insulation materials were varied but the ceiling airtightness and eaves gap size were kept constant. These instances were considered in order to visualize the effects of the changing parameters. In addition, two different roof underlays of varying resistances were considered and compared to access the influence of the underlay, if any, on energy conservation. The comparison of these insulation materials in relation to the other parameters showed that the type of insulation material and thickness, contributes significantly to energy conservation and moisture transfer reduction through the roof and hence of the building as a whole.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/29836
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Science > School of the Built Environment > Energy and Environmental Engineering group
Uncontrolled Keywords	Insulation material and thickness, moisture transfer, cold pitched roofs
Publisher	VEETECH Ltd; Allen Press
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