Ceilings and Roofs for Zero Energy Homes
Ceilings
Ceilings provide many opportunities for insulating against severe temperatures. Most ceilings are exposed to the attic, and often, attics are not as insulated or ventilated as they could be. If attics are seen as tools in the zero energy process, they can be managed to moderate temperatures before those heat or cold fronts affect room ceilings.
R-38 insulation in warm climates and R-49 in cold climates, coupled with advanced framing techniques are your first rung of ceiling defense.
Ceilings above and below need to be inspected for consistency and gaps in insulation. Ducts should be buried in insulation if they are part of the attic landscape.
Garages are often poorly insulated, again considered secondary space, similar to attics. But any space next to living space conducts temperatures through surfaces to adjacent living spaces -- so garages should be well insulated in hot climates to reduce energy use.
Roofs
Start with the shape of your roof -- pitched roofs have larger areas and the steeper the pitch, the more material, time and upkeep will be required for the roof itself. Then comes insulation of the added space!
Hot climates benefit from special attention to roofing materials and insulation. Light colored tiles with a radiant barrier underneath; or light colored metal make good choices for energy efficient roofs.
Insulated roof decks benefit from at least R-30 coupled with light colored tile that is well sealed.
Ceilings provide many opportunities for insulating against severe temperatures. Most ceilings are exposed to the attic, and often, attics are not as insulated or ventilated as they could be. If attics are seen as tools in the zero energy process, they can be managed to moderate temperatures before those heat or cold fronts affect room ceilings.
R-38 insulation in warm climates and R-49 in cold climates, coupled with advanced framing techniques are your first rung of ceiling defense.
Ceilings above and below need to be inspected for consistency and gaps in insulation. Ducts should be buried in insulation if they are part of the attic landscape.
Garages are often poorly insulated, again considered secondary space, similar to attics. But any space next to living space conducts temperatures through surfaces to adjacent living spaces -- so garages should be well insulated in hot climates to reduce energy use.
Roofs
Start with the shape of your roof -- pitched roofs have larger areas and the steeper the pitch, the more material, time and upkeep will be required for the roof itself. Then comes insulation of the added space!
Hot climates benefit from special attention to roofing materials and insulation. Light colored tiles with a radiant barrier underneath; or light colored metal make good choices for energy efficient roofs.
Insulated roof decks benefit from at least R-30 coupled with light colored tile that is well sealed.
