House is a bi-level. Recently added storm windows to deck off dining room. Having a new rubber roof installed would like to know if we can insulate ceiling to make the room warmer. What product do you suggest we use. we are getting conflicting answers, some say you can insulate others say the ceiling needs to breath having a rubber roof install. Please advise.
If you have vaulted ceilings you need to get the right insulation. Basically it wont be as thick and still leave some room between the insulation and the roof for it to breathe. You should be able to get it at any home improvement place.
Your other answerer is correct. The little plastic pieces that he speaks of are sometimes called baffles. They look like they are corregated or wavy like the inside of cardboard. These are essential to letting air flow in the attic space. Another item that you must have are vents on the soffits or overhangs on either side of the roof. Air has to get in there somehow. There are alot of homes that are not ventilated properly and the roof decking or plywood gets discolored and rots from the inside out. Sometimes this can happen in as little as 5 years, depending on your geographical location. Rubber roofing is usually put on a flat roof system. If you do not have access to inside the framing, you cannot insulate or it will be very difficult to get insulation in there properly. There are so many variables with different houses and locations. You may want to ask an insulation expert from the phone book or even a home inspector. Good luck.
Yes, you can. There is a little plastic piece that you will want to tack to the underside of the roof though before you install your insulation. It is a plastic air vent that keeps about an inch or so of space between the roof and the insulation so that air can move through. You need to do that so the roof can breathe as they say. If you don't allow it to breathe, the difference in temperature from outside to inside will cause the roof to sweat and will make your roof go bad a lot quicker.
