Different Types of Commercial Roof Insulation

Similar to residential roof insulation, when you insulate a commercial roof, you intend to provide protection to both the property and the internal contents, people or equipment. The designs of the roofs are also similar in the sense that it acts as a barrier between the internal building contents and the outside elements. But what is a commercial roof?

What is Commercial Roof Insulation?

Commercial roofs consist of many layers, from roofing material to vapour, decking, insulation and more. However, where a commercial roof differs from a residential roof, is how they are insulated. In a residential property, you will likely find batts and rolls, reflective, blown-in or rigid board insulation. However, when insulating your commercial property, the roof has some more specific forms of insulation, and, essentially, you will be installing the insulation somewhere underneath the outer roofing membrane.

Commercial roof insulation therefore provided a necessity for the structural benefits, such as protection against harsh weather and for the thermal insulation benefits, regulating the internal temperatures, reducing the amount of heat escaping and more. Insulating your commercial roof can help you maintain an ideal internal temperature, prolong the lifespan of the property and help reduce overheads, lowering costs from energy bills. So, what different types of insulation can be used for commercial roofs?

Types of Commercial Roof Insulation

1. Spray Foam

Spray foam insulation is a market-favourite and go-to insulation product for insulating commercial buildings. The incredible thermal resistant values, soundproofing properties and durability of the insulant makes it a great product for your next commercial insulation project. Spray foam, offered as open-cell or losed-cell types, can insulate your property, whilst meeting all the necessary objectives and adhering to standards and regulations. Due to the superior U-Value of closed-cell foam insulation, this is favourited amongst commercial insulation buildings, unlike its counterpart, open-cell foam, which is more aligned with roof insulation in residential properties.

Adopting a spray foam solution also provided an eco-friendly insulant, from start to finish, this insulation helps reduce your carbon footprint whilst saving you money on energy bills and a whole lot more.

2. Mineral Wool

Mineral or rock wool insulation have a series of benefits that prove it to be an accommodating choice for insulating commercial properties. Installed in panels, mineral wool insulation is unaffected by moisture growth, and they are extremely fire resistant. With some manufacturers such as ROCKWOOL, supplying highly effective mineral wool fire resistant products.

3. Polyisocyanurate (ISO)

This form of insulation, also known as PIR or ISO, is also composed of a foam insulant solution, however, it is provided in panel form. This allows the insulation to have added components, such as foil-facing, which can benefit the roof insulation of commercial properties. ISO is one of, if not the most, popular above-deck insulations that are used for low-slope commercial roofs. Additionally, the outer foil-facing layers save you the need to install an added vapour barrier to your roof.

4. Extruded Polystyrene (XPS)

This form of commercial roof insulation is another foam-based solution; however, it is commonly known as Styrofoam. This XPS roof insulant is available as a board/panel and is a highly effective insulation solution for commercial buildings.

5. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)

Similar to XPS, EPS foam insulation boards are a cheaper version of XPS and can provide a similar level of insulation performance. Although, comparison by size, XPS foam panels have greater thermal properties, with EPS you can meet the standards by using a thicker board layer.

Choosing the Right Insulation for your Commercial Roof

When you prepare a commercial roof insulation project, you will be overwhelmed by different insulation products that can do the job. However, as long as you have set objectives of the insulation then you can be sure to find a perfect match that meets and exceeds everything you want.

At EcoSpray-Foam Systems, we can provide a free consultation to help you and guide you to the best solution for your next commercial roof insulation project. We can provide the different types of commercial roof insulation and advise from expertise and experience, the correct course of action. If you are interested, call us directly on 0203 411 5188 and book a consultation with our experts.