Bubble Insulation on Roof

[THETANK]

My builder uses a vapor barrier on the roof (bubble insulation). I will have house wrap on the walls with no bubble insulation. The building will not be insulated initially but I plan to insulate further down the road (Most Likely Fiberglass or Rock wool ). The building will have a ridge vent and vented soffit. Will the bubble insulation cause me issues with insulating in the future? I am particularly concerned with the having a problem with double vapor barriers. I am in Maryland.

Also will have concrete floor with vapor barrier

 

[jack stand]

I can't believe that "builder's" still try to sell that ****. It's about 99% gimmick with a little radiant reflection in the right application.

 

[liliysdad]

After owning two nearly identical steel buildings within a mile of each other, one with and one without, the difference in a 110 degree summer day is noticeable.

 

[dfiler2]

There isn't much insulation value but I have heard that it helps to keep the back side of the roof tin from condensing. I had a building without it and under certain conditions it would could be raining inside.

 

[rburke65]

After owning two nearly identical steel buildings within a mile of each other, one with and one without, the difference in a 110 degree summer day is noticeable.

So what does that mean? Noticeable in the one with bubble wrap? Cooler….hotter?

 

[THETANK]

There isn't much insulation value but I have heard that it helps to keep the back side of the roof tin from condensing. I had a building without it and under certain conditions it would could be raining inside.

Well I definitely don't wany it dripping inside. It looks like it won't hurt. It doesn't look like it will hider me in the future if I add insulation.

 

[liliysdad]

So what does that mean? Noticeable in the one with bubble wrap? Cooler….hotter?

It is noticeably cooler in the summer with the double bubble radiant barrier.

 

[billconner]

There's a coating or applied material to metal roofing that is reported to stop condensation from dripping that seems more suitable to insulating in the future. R&R builders talk about it in one of their videos. Can't remember name. Factory applied, not in field.

 

[jack stand]

"Drip stop"
But there are others.

 

[billconner]

"Drip stop"
But there are others.

Thank you!

 

[karoc]

From what I have read that the life span of double bubble is about 10yrs. Vinyl insulation is the way to go but its also more expensive, which is why people do choose DB.

 

[billconner]

From what I have read that the life span of double bubble is about 10yrs. Vinyl insulation is the way to go but its also more expensive, which is why people do choose DB.

sorry. DB?

 

[KnurledNut]

Metal roof?
If so, having widely used this in commercial/industrial settings, i can promise you its not a gimmick.
In fact, I would highly encourage it.

 

[THETANK]

Metal roof?
If so, having widely used this in commercial/industrial settings, i can promise you its not a gimmick.
In fact, I would highly encourage it.

It is a metal roof, I am not relying on it for it's insulation properties if it reflects heat that will be a bonus. The builder uses it(double bubble) to prevent dripping on all his buildings.

 

[Firebrick43]

What kind of building are we talking about???? Pole, red iron, geodesic dome?????.

Going to assume its a building with wood trusses. If so, and you insulated in a standard method by putting up a ceiling on the bottom cord of the truss and insulation ontop, then a condensation blanket such as your bubble insulation is of no issue what so ever. Just make sure you don't block off the ventilated eves with insulation, use blocks/chutes.

 

[KnurledNut]

@THETANK
Couple tips...
We always ran our top purlins where it would catch the screws from the ridge cap.
Sealant under the cap laps.
Id also recommend vented foam closures under the cap.
At the eave, its best to run the bubble over the drip edge, but if its not cut back enough, you'll see it.
Standard panels have an anti-siphon groove in the lap joint. Most experienced installers know this, but wont hurt to make sure its right.

 

[rockinacummins]

I’ve used the bubble stuff under metal roofs and, as liliysdad stated, there is a noticeable difference inside a building that has it and one that doesn’t. Much cooler in the summer and no condensation.

 

[Snip]

It is a metal roof, I am not relying on it for it's insulation properties if it reflects heat that will be a bonus. The builder uses it(double bubble) to prevent dripping on all his buildings.

This. The Amish builders that put up my shop building said about the same thing, didn't like putting up a pole barn without it and was pretty adamant about using it even though my future plans were to install a metal liner panel ceiling and blown in insulation on top of it. Building has been up a little over a year and I am now working on getting the ceiling up. During all 4 seasons it has been up I have not experienced any condensation dripping. For me it was money well spent

 

[THETANK]

This. The Amish builders that put up my shop building said about the same thing, didn't like putting up a pole barn without it and was pretty adamant about using it even though my future plans were to install a metal liner panel ceiling and blown in insulation on top of it. Building has been up a little over a year and I am now working on getting the ceiling up. During all 4 seasons it has been up I have not experienced any condensation dripping. For me it was money well spent

Exactly, the same situation with the builders and seems like we have similar future plans.

 

[karoc]

sorry. DB?

Its double bubble, it has air pockets on both sides suppose to be better than the single bubble. But the foil back bubble suppose to be also better than single bubble also. From what I have read, no personal experience.

 

[Azzkker]

A better idea is to use polyiso foil faced foam board placed and taped down first, then have the metal tin roof screwed down over it. It's more effective for insulation value and function in the long term. That's how my wick building was built back in the late 80's.

 

[GRivera]

I'm in Maryland as well and though I didn't opt for it they installed the DB between the purlins and metal roof panels. My PB building is a 30x40x12' , with 1 foot soffit vents and a ridge cap; my concrete has a vapor barrier as well. I didn't insulate for another two years after the build and never had any condensation issues. I've since insulated with R19 walls and R38 ceilings and walls are covered in 1/2" drywall.