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Different types of insulation for warm and inverted flat roofs

Insulation for warm and inverted roof constructions

Insulating a flat roof, podium or terrace for energy efficient buildings.

Insulating a flat roof, podium or terrace above heated spaces for energy efficiency

Bauder is one of the largest manufacturers of insulation materials in Europe and now that thermal insulation is expected to meet ever stricter requirements for environmental reasons and to reduce energy consumption, our products are fast becoming an indispensable construction material. 

The insulation for flat roofs is commonly produced as rigid boards making them easy to handle and install with a variety of waterproofing types and systems. 

The thermal property of insulation is a significant contributor towards reducing the carbon emissions associated with the heating and cooling of buildings. The solution for each project is unique to the building and its requirements.

Energy efficient roofs

Energy efficient roofs

Reducing energy usage through effective roof insulation.  There are different options depending on whether you are constructing a warm or inverted roof above a heated building, the usage of the building and if it's domestic or commercial, and the specific project requirements and parameters such as if you need to create falls using the insulation or if there are limited installation heights, such as for terraces.

Uplifting U-values on an existing flat roof

Uplifting U-values on an existing flat roof

Increasing the thermal insulation within a roof makes perfect sense and has many benefits to the building, including its reduction in energy usage for heating or air conditioning as well as supporting the environment.

Creating falls on a roof

Creating falls on a roof

It is a requirement of Building Regulation Part H that adequate provision is made for rainwater to be carried from the roof of the building. According to BS 6229 & BS 8217, flat roofs should be designed with minimum falls of 1:40 to ensure a finished fall of 1:80 can be achieved, allowing for any inaccuracies in the construction. This applies to general roof areas along with any internal gutters.

Insulation for acoustic solutions

Insulation for acoustic solutions

The use and combination of insulation in a flat roof can reduce sound transmission into and out of a building and reverberation. Rain noise performance is generally the biggest issue faced by building designers as there are targets to be met in schools and hospitals and these targets vary depending on the room type.

Fire performance of insulation

Unravelling the confusion

A very common issue that we have with the fire performance of roofing is that there is confusion over the Building Regulations requirements for the system performance of a whole roof build-up and the requirements for reaction to fire of an individual component, of that roof build-up. In simple terms we get asked for the reaction to fire of the insulation to be non-combustible, often the logic is that this is the only way to then achieve the highest fire performance of the roof. 

However, historically for more than 50 years, flat roofs have been made up of all components that are combustible and these systems can also achieve the highest fire performance as required by the Approved Document B, namely BROOF (t4). In AD B for flat roofing the reaction to fire of an individual component is only required to be Non-Combustible in two very specific scenarios 1) if the roof area is classed as a “specified attachment” (there are exceptions) or 2) for the deck 1500 mm either side of a compartment wall where the roof is built over the top of a compartment wall (there are exceptions).   

For greater depth and understanding regarding the latest information within the Building Regulations about Fire Safety: Approved Document B for Flat Roofs, we have a knowledge article that takes you through the complexities of fire testing and performance.

Read our knowledge article
Nigel Blacklock, Technical Director

Flat roof insulation with any notable thermal resistance was virtually non-existent 40 years ago and now its multi-purpose role evolves, the obvious use was to thermally insulate. Now it has an integral role in the acoustic and fire performance of the flat roof and probably the biggest growing area has been the means to divert drainage water across the top surface of the roof. 

Nigel Blacklock, Technical Director
man working on detailed computer design

Contact us today about your project

Each project is unique in its requirements, and we have lots of resources and examples of our work available to help guide you. If you are looking for an insulation solution, then get in touch with our team to discuss your projects individual needs. 

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