What to know about commercial roof insulation R-value

Simply put, the R-value rating indicates the ability of a material to prevent heat transfer. Since it ranks the effectiveness of different insulation choices it becomes a vital piece of information for commercial roofing projects in Vancouver.

Question

What is R-value?

Answer

R-value is a measurement of the insulating capacity of a particular building material–commercial roof insulation, as it applies to us. The higher the r-value/inch, the better it is at preventing heat exchange.

Question

Why do we have R-values?

Answer

Building codes state which r-value is required for a particular roof. It’s an important part of a building's energy efficiency. It helps with thermoregulation to keep indoor temperatures stable, i.e. keeps heat in during winter and heat out in summer. Colder climate needs higher r-value insulation.

Types of commercial roof insulation r-value

• Polyurethane spray foam insulation, R-value up to 7.2
• Polyisocyanurate board insulation, R-value up to 6.8
• High-Density XPS board insulation. R=value 5

Polyurethane spray foam is a commonly used, high R-value insulation for flat roofs. A major advantage of this type of application is its ability to conform to irregular areas. It also boasts a high fire resistance.

Polyisocyanurate (POLYISO) is also a popular choice. It may qualify for LEED v4 credits under Indoor Environmental Quality, Materials and Resources, and Energy and Atmosphere. Since there is a strong interest in green building here, POLYISO is a top consideration for commercial roofing projects in Vancouver.

High-Density Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) board is a solid, economical choice, often used as the insulating layer for inverted roofs. Though special consideration is due where ballast and weight are issues.

Laurentian Roofing experts are here to answer all your questions about pricing, options, delivery, repairing and installing commercial roofs as well as our process. 604-345-7663