What is a warm roof?
A warm roof is a type of roof that is designed to conserve heat. This is done by placing the insulation on top of the roof deck instead of between the rafters. Generally, warm roofs are more effective than cold roofs at keeping the building warmer in winter and cooler in summer. However, they typically cost more to install than cold roofs in the first place.
What is a cold roof?
A cold roof, also known as an unvented roof, has insulation installed between the rafters. Although this type of installation costs less initially than installing warm roofs, it can cost more in terms of heating and cooling bills over time because the home’s interior temperature varies significantly with changes in outdoor temperatures.
How does a warm roof work?
A warm roof works by keeping the rafters and roof deck insulated and at the same temperature as the rest of the building. Unlike a cold roof, the rafters and roof space do not heat up and cool down depending don’t the weather outside. This is more a more effective form of insulation.
What are some benefits of having a warm roof?
The main benefit is that it reduces energy costs by keeping buildings cool in the summer months. It also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and can help contribute towards LEED certification for existing commercial structures. While they can be more expensive to install in the short term, over time, the savings from reduced heating and cooling bills will pay back this cost.
What are some disadvantages to warm roofs?
The main disadvantage is the cost of installing them, which could outweigh any potential energy savings depending on how much insulation exists in the building and its geographical location. In addition, it does not work for all climates and can lead to overheating in the winter if it is not insulated correctly.
So, should you choose a warm roof for your building? The main benefit of warm roofs is that they reduce energy costs by keeping buildings cool in the summer months. It also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and can help contribute towards LEED certification for existing commercial structures. Some disadvantages to having a warm roof are the cost associated with installing them, which could outweigh any potential energy savings depending on how much insulation already exists in the building and its geographical location. Overall warm roofs are preferable to cold roofs for most applications.
