Condensation Forming on Metal Battens
So you are thinking of a colourbond corrugated roof for your new home or you are possibly contemplating re-roofing your existing home from tile to colourbond corrugated roofing. Good idea!
However in saying that there are a number of problems you can experience with a metal roof due to bad building practice that you should be aware of before you engage the services of a roofing contractor. The number one problem you could experience is condensation and from condensation a multitude of other problems can ensue, as well the possibility for horrific remedial expenses.
WHAT ARE THE BAD BUILDING PRACTICES THAT YOU SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF BEFORE ENGAGING A ROOFING CONTRACTOR TO INSTALL YOUR CORRUGATED COLOURBOND ROOF
Number one – not having a vapour barrier fixed under the colourbond sheeting this is a recipe for disaster.
Number two – having a vapour barrier that is pulled tightly across the rafters, this brings the vapour barrier into contact with the roof sheet, making the point of having a vapour barrier totally useless.
The vapour barrier explained – generically called sarking this is double sided reinforced aluminium foil.
Number three – to have fiberglass blanket and foil installed under the roof sheet without providing any roof ventilation.
Fibreglass foil explained – fiberglass insulation glued to double sided aluminium foil.
Last but not least, metal battens – for years, roofs were battened out with timber battens with absolutely no problem. However being replaced by metal battens, this may help BHP get bigger and roofing companies love to sell them for extra profit, however metal battens are also an excellent conductor for condensation.
SO WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS FOR THE HOMEOWNER TO BAD WORKMANSHIP WHEN INSTALLING COLOURBOND CORRUGATED ROOFING
Number one, if you must use sarking – use only timber battens – make sure the roofer does not pull the sarking tight across the rafters and that he slumps the sarking at least 50mil between the rafters so the sarking does not come into contact with the roof sheeting, tape sarking at all laps. Thirdly and most importantly install effective roof ventilation to further alleviate the possibility for condensation and allow your roof to breathe.
WHAT WE RECOMMEND FOR THE ABSOLUTE BEST RESULTS FOR THE FIXING OF CORRUGATED COLOURBOND ROOF SHEETING
- Use only timber battens
- Preferable use a blanket foil under the roof sheet.
- Then install a very effective roof ventilation system.
1. Timber Battens 2. Blanket foil insulation 3. An effective roof ventilation system these are the ingredients for a trouble free condensation free roofspace below a corrugated metal roof.
Why not profit from my experience of 50 years in the roofing industry – roofing thousands of homes and re-roofing hundreds of roofs. I’ve seen it all, all the different effects of condensation on all the different types of roofing. If you must compromise on my three recommendations – metal battens instead of timber, I say this only because you may have a battle on your hands with your builder or tradesperson, if they insist on metal battens, put the onus on them to unconditionally take responsibility for any ensuing condensation problem – put it in the contract. Definitely do not compromise on blanket foil insulation and an effective roof ventilation system. When we say effective we don’t mean a $50 whirlybird this or even a very expensive one will do nothing to ventilate the roofspace. See on this site Case Studies & Reports “Whirlybirds Don’t Work” also on this site Blogs on condensation “Warning! Read Before You Design Your Next Housing Project”. There are many other Blogs on this site regarding condensation problems.
So we have given you what we believe to be the golden rule for installing corrugated metal roofing – timber battens – blanket foil insulation – an effective roof ventilation system.
Universal Tile Ventilators have the Smoothline Ventilator System for the smoothlines of corrugated colourbond roofing – giving you the most efficient ventilation system for your corrugated colourbond roof unobtrusive, very effective, aerodynamically designed will take whatever Mother Nature has to throw at them. You can’t beat that!
I reiterate, main problems of bad roofing practice no vapour barrier, vapour barrier coming into contact with the roof sheeting. Hope this has been helpful to you it could save you thousands of dollars down the road.
Smoothline Roof Ventilators for the smoothlines of corrugated colourbond roofing.