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Two additions on our house have open rafter ceilings; that is, the rafters beams) and the roof decking are visible from inside the room. While we enjoy the look, there is virtually no insulating value to the roof. Consequently, it costs alot of $$$ to heat and cool. Is there any way to add some R value to the roof without ruining the look. One contractor suggests adding a material called Tectum to the inside of the room. This looks like an extra thick ceiling tile made out of recycled material. This
would only cause us to lose 3-4 inches from the inside of the room. I don’t
know if this will cause premature wear on the overlying roof. Another
suggestion was to remove the existing shingles, lay down insulating board
and a new roof. I’m not sure whether I would gain much in the way of R-value and I am concerned about how the shingles could be nailed to insulating board. Sandwiching the insulating board between two layers of decking could work, but the premature wear issue still concerns me. Are there any alternatives besides installing a conventional ceiling and ventilated roof?
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Yes
*Don't get so wordy, Jack or we'll have to start editing you.Adam,Foam panels over the existing deck is a fairly common practice. You are essentially hand-constructing an SIP (Structural insulated panel) without the structureal component. A layer of decking on top of that is a good idea for a nail-base. You will get differing opinions on whether a ventilation space is needed in this instance. You can get as much R-value as you want, as long as you don't mind the aesthetics of the thick roof edge that you will create. Personally I think it can get pretty ugly. How are your soffits detailed on the outside? open tails? boxed?Your options from the inside are more complicated. Ask you want to know more.Steve
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Two additions on our house have open rafter ceilings; that is, the rafters beams) and the roof decking are visible from inside the room. While we enjoy the look, there is virtually no insulating value to the roof. Consequently, it costs alot of $$$ to heat and cool. Is there any way to add some R value to the roof without ruining the look. One contractor suggests adding a material called Tectum to the inside of the room. This looks like an extra thick ceiling tile made out of recycled material. This
would only cause us to lose 3-4 inches from the inside of the room. I don't
know if this will cause premature wear on the overlying roof. Another
suggestion was to remove the existing shingles, lay down insulating board
and a new roof. I'm not sure whether I would gain much in the way of R-value and I am concerned about how the shingles could be nailed to insulating board. Sandwiching the insulating board between two layers of decking could work, but the premature wear issue still concerns me. Are there any alternatives besides installing a conventional ceiling and ventilated roof?