Everything to know about roof insulation and fastening

Learn why roof insulation is important and whether mechanical or adhesive fastening is the best option for use on your roofing system.

Remember when your mom used to tell you not to leave the house on cold mornings without a hat because “90 per cent of your body heat escapes through your head”? Well, she was right. And the same applies to a roof. Your roof needs insulation and fasteners to stay warm.

Insulation and fasteners are integral components of a roofing system. Insulation provides a comfortable indoor environment for residents and visitors while reducing energy demands. Fasteners secure the insulation and other structural components to the roof and provide an acceptable substrate for the roof covering.

Since the 1980s, mechanical fastenings with self-tapping screws and plates, have been the most commonly used. This type of fastening is effective on many roof deck types, including cast-in-place concrete and gypsum. However, mechanical fastening is tedious and labour-intensive. It requires drilling before to installation.

Some roof deck types, such as those often found on industrial buildings, have electrical or other devices attached to the underside of the deck. This does not allow for fasteners that penetrate the roof deck for insulation attachment. For these types of buildings, an adhesive fastener is a better choice.

In some cases, such as on concrete, gypsum or cement wood fibre roof decks, mechanical fasteners are not an effective method for attaching insulation. Adhesive fastening is an excellent alternative for installing insulation on these types of structures.

Generally, adhesive fasteners are more expensive than mechanical fasteners. But they cost less to install when compared to mechanical fasteners.

While mechanical fastening remains the preferred method for most roof installations, adhesive fastening offers an excellent alternative for many types of specialty applications. Have questions? Talk to an experienced roofing contractor about which method is the right choice for your needs.