Condensation and moisture transport in cold roofs: effects of roof underlay

Emmanuel A. Essah; Chris H. Sanders; Paul H. Baker; Angela S. Kalagasidis

doi:10.1080/09613210802645973

Condensation and moisture transport in cold roofs: effects of roof underlay

Emmanuel A. Essah, Chris H. Sanders, Paul H. Baker, Angela S. Kalagasidis

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Abstract

Cold pitched roofs, with their form of construction situating insulation on a horizontal ceiling, are intrinsically vulnerable to condensation. This study reports the results derived from using a simulation package (Heat, Air and Moisture modelling tool, or HAM-Tools) to investigate the risk of condensation in cold pitched roofs in housing fitted with a vapour-permeable underlay (VPU) of known characteristics. In order to visualize the effect of the VPUs on moisture transfer, several scenarios were modelled, and compared with the results from a conventional bituminous felt with high resistance (200 MNs/g, S_d = 40 m). The results indicate that ventilation is essential in the roof to reduce condensation. However, a sensitivity analysis proved that reducing the overall tightness of the ceiling and using lower-resistance VPUs would help in controlling condensation formation in the roof.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	117-128
Number of pages	12
Journal	Building Research and Information
Volume	37
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/09613210802645973
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2009

Keywords

condensation
cold pitched roofs
construction

Documents and Links

10.1080/09613210802645973

http://researchonline.gcu.ac.uk/bne/182

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Essah, E. A., Sanders, C. H., Baker, P. H., & Kalagasidis, A. S. (2009). Condensation and moisture transport in cold roofs: effects of roof underlay. Building Research and Information, 37(2), 117-128. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613210802645973

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abstract = "Cold pitched roofs, with their form of construction situating insulation on a horizontal ceiling, are intrinsically vulnerable to condensation. This study reports the results derived from using a simulation package (Heat, Air and Moisture modelling tool, or HAM-Tools) to investigate the risk of condensation in cold pitched roofs in housing fitted with a vapour-permeable underlay (VPU) of known characteristics. In order to visualize the effect of the VPUs on moisture transfer, several scenarios were modelled, and compared with the results from a conventional bituminous felt with high resistance (200 MNs/g, Sd = 40 m). The results indicate that ventilation is essential in the roof to reduce condensation. However, a sensitivity analysis proved that reducing the overall tightness of the ceiling and using lower-resistance VPUs would help in controlling condensation formation in the roof.",

keywords = "condensation, cold pitched roofs, construction",

author = "Essah, {Emmanuel A.} and Sanders, {Chris H.} and Baker, {Paul H.} and Kalagasidis, {Angela S.}",

note = "<p>Originally published in: Building Research and Information (2009), 37 (2), pp.117-128.</p>",

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AU - Essah, Emmanuel A.

AU - Sanders, Chris H.

AU - Baker, Paul H.

AU - Kalagasidis, Angela S.

N1 - <p>Originally published in: Building Research and Information (2009), 37 (2), pp.117-128.</p>

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N2 - Cold pitched roofs, with their form of construction situating insulation on a horizontal ceiling, are intrinsically vulnerable to condensation. This study reports the results derived from using a simulation package (Heat, Air and Moisture modelling tool, or HAM-Tools) to investigate the risk of condensation in cold pitched roofs in housing fitted with a vapour-permeable underlay (VPU) of known characteristics. In order to visualize the effect of the VPUs on moisture transfer, several scenarios were modelled, and compared with the results from a conventional bituminous felt with high resistance (200 MNs/g, Sd = 40 m). The results indicate that ventilation is essential in the roof to reduce condensation. However, a sensitivity analysis proved that reducing the overall tightness of the ceiling and using lower-resistance VPUs would help in controlling condensation formation in the roof.

AB - Cold pitched roofs, with their form of construction situating insulation on a horizontal ceiling, are intrinsically vulnerable to condensation. This study reports the results derived from using a simulation package (Heat, Air and Moisture modelling tool, or HAM-Tools) to investigate the risk of condensation in cold pitched roofs in housing fitted with a vapour-permeable underlay (VPU) of known characteristics. In order to visualize the effect of the VPUs on moisture transfer, several scenarios were modelled, and compared with the results from a conventional bituminous felt with high resistance (200 MNs/g, Sd = 40 m). The results indicate that ventilation is essential in the roof to reduce condensation. However, a sensitivity analysis proved that reducing the overall tightness of the ceiling and using lower-resistance VPUs would help in controlling condensation formation in the roof.

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