Having a good roof over your head is not just a nice metaphor. In fact, your roof is one of the most important components of your home. Not only does it literally protect you from the elements, but its job is to keep you warm in cold weather and prevent the creation of a heat island in the summer.
A roof must have excellent ventilation, which allows air to circulate through the attic. You can consult our article on this subject. In addition to being airtight, good insulation is also essential. To summarize, three criteria combined determine the energy efficiency of your roof:
- Watertightness
- Insulation
- Ventilation
The new trends in insulation are essential to develop efficient products with a high R-factor while considering a reduced ecological footprint.
Insulation materials
Of course, mineral wool is still available at a lower cost, but several other options are now on the market. Not only is it an unsafe material for the environment, but beware of leaks because once the wool is wet, it loses all its effectiveness and must be replaced.
In recent years, natural insulation materials have become popular because they are more environmentally friendly and perform well.
In order, a good roofer will suggest you install :
- A vapor barrier
- An acoustic sealant (note that cellulose acts as both thermal and acoustic insulation)
- A high-performance insulation
- A layer of urethane in the most sensitive areas
Natural Insulation
Blown cellulose
For some time now, cellulose has been gaining in popularity, and it is not for nothing. In addition to being a recycled material, because it is made of shredded paper fibers, this fiber is fireproof and resists humidity very well. Note that cellulose is more efficient than wool, but if your wool or other insulation is still good and not sagging, it is possible to add cellulose over it. Of course, you will have to call in professionals, as it is not easy to blow this material.
Hemp mats
A Quebec product that has just appeared on the market (2017). This technique from Europe is now available here. It is a material that we will see more and more, and that offers very interesting performances, but you still have to pay three times the price to use it.
Sprayed urethane
Urethane is still one of the best products in terms of insulation, and it is the only one that acts as a vapor barrier, an air barrier, and a thermal insulator all at once. Since it performs three functions simultaneously, its footprint is reduced. However, the new trend is to use it in specific and more vulnerable areas by combining it with another, more environmentally friendly insulation material.
Several factors will determine the ideal combination of insulation you will need: cost of materials, ecological impact, availability, etc. For more information, please contact us. At Toiture Union, we have a solid experience in this field.