Patios are an essential element in most properties for outdoor relaxation. Most people will assume that the construction of a patio only includes the installation of a sturdy floor and a roof. However, there are many other elements involved in the construction of a patio before it’s ready for use and appropriate for outdoor relaxation. One of these is proper insulation for enhanced comfort.
Insulated roofing systems for patios are designed to provide superior heat resistance in summer and keep your patio warm in winter. The insulation will also reduce the noise levels in your patio and the energy costs of owning one, increase your property’s value and boost the durability of your roofing. Insulation in patio covers will be installed between the layers of your patio roofing’s material. The most commonly used insulation for patios is foam insulation sheets which are easy to install and will not affect the look of your space. The following are your foam insulation options:
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)
This is among the most versatile foam insulation options. They are inexpensive and have an R-value rate of about 4 per inch, which meets the energy and building codes of most states. EPS insulation sheets can be treated to make them insect-resistant and can be faced or unfaced. The unfaced variety is fragile to install and semi-permeable, so it will not have a moisture barrier between the sheets used for the patio’s roofing. Faced sheets, on the other hand, are vapor retardant.
Extruded Polystyrene (XPS)
These are recyclable insulation materials which have an R-value of about 5 per inch. XPS foam insulation is available in unfaced and faced varieties. The unfaced variety is about an inch thick and has a perm rating of 1, making it semi-permeable. The faced variety has a lower perm rating, but it’s stronger and thicker than the unfaced one. XPS foam will also absorb considerable moisture in the long run and is regarded as a vapor retarder.
Polyisocyanurate (PIR or ISO)
Though pricey, this option of foam insulation has a high R-value at about 6.5 per inch. PIR starts as a liquid foam and will have to be sprayed on your roofing materials so that it forms a rigid insulation panel. As such, they are faced using different materials which will have some impact on their properties, perm rating, and durability.
Spray Foam
These are made through the reaction of mixed liquids to create insulation foam. There are different types of spray foam insulation, including high, low, and medium density. Low-density spray foam insulation is open-cell foam while low and high-density ones are closed-cell foam.
These types of foam insulation are essential for all kinds of patios in places with varied climatic conditions. They might not, however, do much to make your patio a comfortable place if they are not installed professionally. The patio covers in which insulation can be installed have interlocking features which make it easy for the padding to be stuck in between them. Moreover, there are finishes which will be installed to enhance the look of an insulated patio cover.
