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FLAT ROOFING
KINGSPAN INSULATION OFFERS GUIDANCE ON PROVIDING A FLAT ROOF REFURBISHMENT WHICH WILL PROVIDE LASTING SAVINGS, PERFORMANCE AND LONGEVITY FOR BUILDING OWNERS…
Flat roof refurbishments can be an effective way of extending the life of a roof deck and improving the energy performance of a building. Depending on the condition of the roof, the scope of this work can extend from simply overlaying the existing system to stripping and replacing the entire deck. To ensure the longevity of the replacement system, careful assessments and surveys should be carried out to identify any potential problems and the most suitable insulation. In all cases, these surveys should include: • Identifying signs of potential moisture ingress such as staining to ceilings or bubbling of the waterproofing layer • Checking for obvious signs of damage or deterioration of the waterproofing system • Mapping out drainage points and features which may impact the design of the new roofing system (such as doors with low thresholds) • Structural level surveys to confirm the roof is sound and that falls of at least 1:80 are achieved in all areas with no backfalls, deflections or ponding • Core samples taken by the project team to confirm what materials are used in the FLAT ROOF renewal
Kingspan Insulation can offer a range of services to support projects including visual inspections, condensation risk analyses and a full design service for tapered roofing projects.
Where significant issues are found, it is usually advisable to complete a strip-up of the existing roof (and in some cases deck) rather than going with an overlay approach. Insulation considerations When insulating any flat roof, it is always worth considering whether a tapered system may be a better option than conventional flat roof insulation boards. These systems feature tapered and hip and valley boards alongside standard flat ‘packer’ boards. This means they can provide both insulation and drainage in a single system. They’re typically supported with design services to ensure the system is tailored to the roof and achieves the required U-value and drainage. Regardless of what system is being installed, condensation risk must also be properly considered – particularly if an overlay approach is adopted. Alongside retaining heat within the building, flat roof insulation also helps to keep parts of the roof structure ‘warm’, lowering the risk of condensation
forming on them. If the layer of insulation fitted with the new roof system is too thin, elements of the structure (such as the old waterproofing layer) may become cold enough for droplets to form. This can compromise the roof structure. Some manufacturers are now able to provide a range of services to help contractors designing and carrying out flat roof refurbishments. These services can include conducting visual surveys of the existing roofing system to support more in-depth structural surveys, reviewing data from core samples to confirm the existing build-up and providing recommended insulation thicknesses for the new system supported with condensation risk analysis to BS 5250:2021.
T: +353 (0) 42 979 5000 E: technical@kingspaninsulation.ie www.kingspaninsulation.ie WANT TO KNOW MORE?
existing roof build-up and to check for moisture content
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