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SPF Cathedral Ceiling Insights

This document summarizes research conducted at the University of Waterloo on ventilation and vapor control for spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulated cathedral ceilings. Six different cathedral roof assemblies were constructed and monitored over one year to evaluate moisture performance. Hygrothermal modeling was also used to extrapolate the results to other climates. The research found that unvented assemblies with closed-cell SPF and vented assemblies with open-cell SPF performed well. However, elevated relative humidity was observed in the open-cell SPF near the exterior in vented assemblies, likely due to the vapor-restrictive nature of the ventilation baffles. Intentional wetting experiments supported this hypothesis. The research provides

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
189 views85 pages

SPF Cathedral Ceiling Insights

This document summarizes research conducted at the University of Waterloo on ventilation and vapor control for spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulated cathedral ceilings. Six different cathedral roof assemblies were constructed and monitored over one year to evaluate moisture performance. Hygrothermal modeling was also used to extrapolate the results to other climates. The research found that unvented assemblies with closed-cell SPF and vented assemblies with open-cell SPF performed well. However, elevated relative humidity was observed in the open-cell SPF near the exterior in vented assemblies, likely due to the vapor-restrictive nature of the ventilation baffles. Intentional wetting experiments supported this hypothesis. The research provides

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johnking5555
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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SPF in Cathedral

Ceilings: Ventilation
and Vapour Control

Jonathan Smegal
Building Science Laboratories
Presentation Outline
• Residential Sloped Roof
Construction
• University of Waterloo Research
• Hygrothermal Modeling Analysis
• Conclusions of the Study
• Case Studies
• Questions and Answers
2
Learning Objectives
• Identify reasons for choosing a vented or
unvented design
• Identify key code requirements related to vented
and unvented roofs
• Describe the main results of the research study
at the University of Waterloo and the relevance
to design
• Describe ways in which this research can be
practically applied to design decisions

3
Pitched Roof Types - Ventilated
• Vented Attic
– Air, vapor and thermal control at ceiling
– Rain control at roof
• Cathedral Ceiling
– Air, vapor, thermal and rain control at roof
Pitched Roof Types
• Unvented Cathedralized Attic
– More useable space as retrofit
– Space for mechanical equipment
• Unvented Cathedral

Building Science Corporation

5
Traditional Ventilated Attic
Construction
Ridge 
ventilation

Soffit 
Ventilation

6
7
Air control challenges

9
Vented Attics – potential issues
• Air leakage through ceiling is primarily a
durability issue in colder climates
– Air moves significantly more moisture than
vapour diffusion
– Ducts are a disaster
• Condensation and heat gain on ducts in warmer
climates
• Modern roofs often hard to vent

11
Image credit: Joe Lstiburek,
Building Science Corporation

12
Complexity of Ventilation
Why Unvented Roofs
– Complexity
• Vaulted ceilings, complex shapes, difficult to vent,
HVAC equipment
– Value
• More useable space can be created in a retrofit. The
architectural appeal of high ceilings in new construction
has some value.
– Durability
• Without venting, no entry for rain, snow, burning
embers or critters
• Decreased risk of moisture accumulation in some
cases
• Still need to be cautious of moisture accumulation
Schumacher, C.,Building Science Digest 149. Unvented Roof Assemblies for All Climates www.buildingscience.com
Commercial Unvented Roofs

Image credit: 
Building Science Corporation

15
Sloped Unvented Roofs
Control Layers 
Exterior of Structure
‐ Ideal or perfect 
assembly

Image credit: 
Building Science Corporation

16
Unvented Wood Frame
Spray foam insulation

(Cold‐side Vapour Barrier)

Occupied or non‐
occupiable space

Image credit: 
Building Science Corporation
Spray foam in unvented roofs
• Spray foam is an air barrier material
– Great for complicated roofs/shapes
– No wind washing or convective looping inside insulation
(not dependent on installation of air control layer)
– Requires careful detailing where there is no spray foam.

• Vapour control
– Inherent vapour control for ccSPF
– Only one material to install

• Thermal control
– Competitive R-values

18
Canadian Code : NBC Part 9
• Residential Section 9 (9.19.1)
– Requires venting of all roofs unless an
engineer signs off
– Requires a vapour control layer not greater
than 60 ng/Pa·s·m2. (1 US perm)

• Unvented residential roof assemblies not


allowed by code

19
U.S. Code: IRC R806.5
• Cathedralized attics and Cathedral ceilings
allowed
• No additional vapor control needed
in Zones 1-4 (just control of air leakage
condensation)
• Insulation needs to be Class II vapor control
(0.1 to 1.0 perms) or have Class II in direct
contact
– Zones 5 and higher need vapour control
– Virtually all of Canada
21
Ventilation and Vapour Control for SPF
Insulated Cathedral Ceilings
• Study commissioned by the Canadian Urethane
Foam Contractors Association (CUFCA)
• Objective:
– Provide recommendations, based on sound
scientific evidence, of the need for ventilation
and/or additional vapour control for 0.5pcf and
2.0pcf SPUF installed in wood framed cathedral
ceilings for a wide range of building occupancy
types and climates.
– Assess the response of cathedral ceilings to
small roof leaks.
22
Research Approach
• Measure and demonstrate field performance of
full-scale residential roof systems in Waterloo,
Ontario, over more than 1 year.

• Conduct simulations to extrapolate the


measured results to other situations with
different interior relative humidities (range of
building occupancy types) and different climate
zones

23
Waterloo, Ontario

24
University of Waterloo
Building Engineering Group (BEG)
Natural Exposure

Six Cathedral Roof Assemblies

Full‐Scale Wall Assemblies

25
Test Assembly Insulation Ventilation Vapor Control Air Control

Unvented Closed Cell (NCC) R30 (~5”) No ccSPF SPF

Vented Closed Cell (VCC) R30 (~5”) Yes ccSPF SPF

Vented Fiberglass (VFG) R30 (~9 ¼”) Yes Latex paint on Drywall
drywall

Unvented Painted Open Cell R30 (~8”) No Paint on foam and SPF
(NOCP) drywall

Vented Open Cell (VCC) R30 (~8”) Yes Latex paint on SPF
drywall

Unvented Open Cell (NOC) R30 (~8”) No Latex paint on SPF


drywall

26
27
28
29
Controlled 
Ventilation Areas

30
Instrumentation

31
32
Evaluation Criteria

33
Measured Sheathing MC
50 % Interior RH

Unvented ocSPFs
40 % Interior RH

Vented Roofs &
Unvented ccSPFs

34
Rafter MC
50 % Interior RH
Vented 
Fiberglass 
40 % Interior RH Batt

35
Evaluation Criteria

36
Unvented ocSPF RH

37
Vented ocSPF RH

38
Explanation of Elevated RH
• Moisture accumulation in the foam near the exterior
surface in spite of continuous ventilation
• What is the vapor permeance of the baffle?
• Hypothesis
– The baffle was sufficiently throttling the flow of
water vapor that it was accumulating at the
interface of the baffle and foam
• This has been observed in unpublished research in
a ventilated dense-packed cellulose assembly in
Climate Zone 3 with a continuous polystyrene
ventilation baffle.
• Let’s Test!

39
• Vapour permeance test – wet cup
– Approximately 3.5 Perms (213 ng/Pa·s·m2)
– Less vapour permeable than spray foam
– Spray foam creates an air seal around the
baffle
0.00

-0.05

-0.10

Change in Mass (g)


-0.15

-0.20

-0.25

-0.30

-0.35

-0.40
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0

Elapsed Time (days)

40
Intentional Wetting Events
• Water was injected to wet a surface
between the sheathing and the building
paper directly above sheathing moisture
content pins
• Sheathing Moisture content pins were
used to measure the wetting and drying of
the roof sheathing

41
42
43
30 mL = 1 ounce

44
Full Scale Field Testing
• Measured data is good to demonstrate, and
assess performance in a specific region.
• Measured data has limitations including climate
zone and boundary conditions.
• It’s not practical to conduct full scale tests in all
climate zones on all assemblies
• Validate hygrothermal analysis data with
measured data following monitoring

45
Correlation of measured and
simulated data
• Correlation of monitored UW data with
simulation data – Unvented ocSPF assembly
• Modifications made to worst case scenario
simulations
– East orientation
– 4:12 slope
– 40% interior RH first winter, 50% interior RH
second winter
– Waterloo weather file data

46
47
48
49
Hygrothermal Analysis

Inuvik

50
Climate Zone Map

51
Hygrothermal Analysis Notes
• Tested worst case scenario for sheathing MC
• Three different interior RH loads
• Peak sheathing MC evaluated
• The fiberglass assembly with poly was assumed
to be air tight with no air leakage from the
interior.

52
Simulated Interior RH

53
NBC A-9.25.5.2
• “During colder periods, indoor RH higher than
35% will cause significant condensation on
windows.”
• “It should be noted that Part 9 building
envelopes in regions with colder winters have
historically performed acceptably when the
interior RH does not exceed 35% over most of
the heating season.”

54
Analysis Summary Table
Moisture Content (MC) in Wood Roof Sheathing Subjected to Various Canadian Climates and Interior Relative Humidities
Chart values are %MC by dry mass of wood and represent a predicted maximum annual value
= MC < 20% , no mold growth == MC is 20 to 28% , potential for mold growth = MC > 28% , moisture problems expected, this design is NOT recommended

Vancouver Toronto Ottawa St. John's Calgary Québec City Winnipeg* Yellowknife Inuvik
Cathedral Roof Construction HDD 3000 HDD 4000 HDD 4500 HDD 5000 HDD 5000 HDD 5000 HDD 6000 HDD 8000 HDD 10000
M ed. M ed. M ed. M ed. M ed. M ed. M ed. M ed. M ed.
Co ntents o f Depth o f Type o f
Ventilatio n Lo w RH RH High RH Lo w RH RH High RH Lo w RH RH High RH Lo w RH RH High RH Lo w RH RH High RH Lo w RH RH High RH Lo w RH RH High RH Lo w RH RH High RH Lo w RH RH High RH
Cavity Cavity Vapo ur Co ntro l
30/55% 40/60% 50% 30/55% 40/60% 50% 30/55% 40/60% 50% 30/55% 40/60% 50% 30/55% 40/60% 50% 30/55% 40/60% 50% 30/55% 40/60% 50% 20/50% 30/55% 50% 20/50% 30/55% 50%

Ventilated
3

13% 13% 13% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 11% 11% 11% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 9% 9% 9% 18% 18% 18% 12% 13% 12%
Closed Cell

5" R30 ccSPF


Continuous Baffle
2.0 pcf
Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF)

5" R30 Non-ventilated ccSPF 11% 14% 14% 10% 13% 13% 12% 14% 14% 15% 43% 46% 15% 39% 39% 13% 19% 20% 13% 21% 22% >60% >60% >60% >60% >60% >60%

8" R30 Non-ventilated interior poly 13% 13% 13% 13% 13% 13% 13% 14% 15% 14% 15% 16% 15% 16% 17% 14% 14% 17% 13% 14% 15% 21% 52% 55% 51% >60% >60%
0.5 pcf Open Cell

8" R30 Ventilated latex paint 13% 13% 14% 11% 11% 11% 11% 11% 11% 12% 12% 12% 10% 11% 13% 11% 11% 12% 11% 13% 14% 24% 27% 31% 18% 25% 28%

1 US perm
8" R30 Non-ventilated
paint on foam
12% 17% 18% 13% 24% 28% 15% 30% 32% 27% >60 >60 30% >60% >60% 32% >60% >60% 24% 59% 60% >60% >60% >60% >60% >60% >60%

8" R30 Non-ventilated latex paint 17% 30% 35% 25% 40% 50% 38% 52% 54% 35% >60 >60 51% 60% >60% 39% 55% 58% 51% 56% 57% >60% >60% >60% >60% >60% >60%

Ventilated
9 1/4" R30
Continuous Baffle
interior poly 12% 12% 12% 19% 19% 19% 16% 16% 16%
Fiberglass
Batt Ventilated
9 1/4" R30
Continuous Baffle
latex paint 16% 17% 17% 14% 14% 14% 13% 13% 13% 14% 14% 14% 13% 13% 13% 14% 14% 14% 14% 15% 16% 27% 31% 33% 21% 26% 28%

White Rock (2782) Windsor (3524) Kitchener-Waterloo St. John's (4881) St. John's (4881) St. John's (4881) Regina (5660) Dawson (8166) Inuvik (9767)
Other Applicable Locations Vancouver (2926) Niagara Falls (3661) (4288) Trois-Rivières (4929) Trois-Rivières (4929) Trois-Rivières (4929) Edmonton (5708) Yellowknife (8256) Iqaluit (10117)
(Heating Degree Days below 18°C) Abbotsford (2981) Kelowna (3869) Kingston (4289) Calgary (5108) Calgary (5108) Calgary (5108) Thunder Bay (5717) Resolute (12526)
Victoria (3040) Oshawa (3917) Montréal (4518) Prince George (5132) Prince George (5132) Prince George (5132) Winnipeg (5777)
Hamilton (4012) Moncton (4585) Sherbrooke (5151) Sherbrooke (5151) Sherbrooke (5151) Saskatoon (5852)
From Environment Canada's
Halifax (4030) Ottawa (4602) Québec City (5202) Québec City (5202) Québec City (5202) Whitehorse (6811)
Canadian Climate Normals
London (4057) Charlottetown (4715) Sudbury (5343) Sudbury (5343) Sudbury (5343)
1971-2000
Toronto (4065)

55
Vancouver Toronto Ottawa
Cathedral Roof Construction HDD 3000 HDD 4000 HDD 4500
M ed. M ed. M ed.
Co ntents o f Depth o f Type o f
Ventilatio n Lo w RH RH High RH Lo w RH RH High RH Lo w RH RH High RH
Cavity Cavity Vapo ur Co ntro l
30/55% 40/60% 50% 30/55% 40/60% 50% 30/55% 40/60% 50%

3 Ventilated
Closed Cell 5" R30
Continuous Baffle
ccSPF 13% 13% 13% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10%
2.0 pcf
Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF)

5" R30 Non-ventilated ccSPF 11% 14% 14% 10% 13% 13% 12% 14% 14%

8" R30 Non-ventilated interior poly 13% 13% 13% 13% 13% 13% 13% 14% 15%
0.5 pcf Open Cell

8" R30 Ventilated latex paint 13% 13% 14% 11% 11% 11% 11% 11% 11%

1 US perm
8" R30 Non-ventilated
paint on foam
12% 17% 18% 13% 24% 28% 15% 30% 32%

8" R30 Non-ventilated latex paint 17% 30% 35% 25% 40% 50% 38% 52% 54%

Ventilated
9 1/4" R30 interior poly
Fiberglass Continuous Baffle
Batt Ventilated
9 1/4" R30
Continuous Baffle
latex paint 16% 17% 17% 14% 14% 14% 13% 13% 13%

White Rock (2782) Windsor (3524) Kitchener-Waterloo


Other Applicable Locations Vancouver (2926) Niagara Falls (3661) (4288)
(Heating Degree Days below 18°C) Abbotsford (2981) Kelowna (3869) Kingston (4289)
Victoria (3040) Oshawa (3917) Montréal (4518)
Hamilton (4012) Moncton (4585)
From Environment Canada's
Halifax (4030) Ottawa (4602)
Canadian Climate Normals
London (4057) Charlottetown (4715)
1971-2000
Toronto (4065)

56
St. John's Calgary Québec City Winnipeg*
Cathedral Roof Construction HDD 5000 HDD 5000 HDD 5000 HDD 6000
M ed. M ed. M ed. M ed.
Co ntents o f Depth o f Type o f
Ventilatio n Lo w RH RH High RH Lo w RH RH High RH Lo w RH RH High RH Lo w RH RH High RH
Cavity Cavity Vapo ur Co ntro l
30/55% 40/60% 50% 30/55% 40/60% 50% 30/55% 40/60% 50% 30/55% 40/60% 50%

Ventilated
3
Closed Cell

5" R30
Continuous Baffle
ccSPF 11% 11% 11% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 9% 9% 9%
2.0 pcf
Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF)

5" R30 Non-ventilated ccSPF 15% 43% 46% 15% 39% 39% 13% 19% 20% 13% 21% 22%

8" R30 Non-ventilated interior poly 14% 15% 16% 15% 16% 17% 14% 14% 17% 13% 14% 15%
0.5 pcf Open Cell

8" R30 Ventilated latex paint 12% 12% 12% 10% 11% 13% 11% 11% 12% 11% 13% 14%

1 US perm
8" R30 Non-ventilated
paint on foam
27% >60 >60 30% >60% >60% 32% >60% >60% 24% 59% 60%

8" R30 Non-ventilated latex paint 35% >60 >60 51% 60% >60% 39% 55% 58% 51% 56% 57%

Ventilated
9 1/4" R30 interior poly 12% 12% 12%
Fiberglass Continuous Baffle
Batt Ventilated
9 1/4" R30
Continuous Baffle
latex paint 14% 14% 14% 13% 13% 13% 14% 14% 14% 14% 15% 16%

St. John's (4881) St. John's (4881) St. John's (4881) Regina (5660)
Other Applicable Locations Trois-Rivières (4929) Trois-Rivières (4929) Trois-Rivières (4929) Edmonton (5708)
(Heating Degree Days below 18°C) Calgary (5108) Calgary (5108) Calgary (5108) Thunder Bay (5717)
Prince George (5132) Prince George (5132) Prince George (5132) Winnipeg (5777)
Sherbrooke (5151) Sherbrooke (5151) Sherbrooke (5151) Saskatoon (5852)
From Environment Canada's
Québec City (5202) Québec City (5202) Québec City (5202) Whitehorse (6811)
Canadian Climate Normals
Sudbury (5343) Sudbury (5343) Sudbury (5343)
1971-2000

57
St. John's Calgary Québec City Winnipeg*
Cathedral Roof Construction HDD 5000 HDD 5000 HDD 5000 HDD 6000
M ed. M ed. M ed. M ed.
Co ntents o f Depth o f Type o f
Ventilatio n Lo w RH RH High RH Lo w RH RH High RH Lo w RH RH High RH Lo w RH RH High RH
Cavity Cavity Vapo ur Co ntro l
30/55% 40/60% 50% 30/55% 40/60% 50% 30/55% 40/60% 50% 30/55% 40/60% 50%

Ventilated
3
Closed Cell

5" R30
Continuous Baffle
ccSPF 11% 11% 11% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 9% 9% 9%
2.0 pcf
Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF)

5" R30 Non-ventilated ccSPF 15% 43% 46% 15% 39% 39% 13% 19% 20% 13% 21% 22%

8" R30 Non-ventilated interior poly 14% 15% 16% 15% 16% 17% 14% 14% 17% 13% 14% 15%
0.5 pcf Open Cell

8" R30 Ventilated latex paint 12% 12% 12% 10% 11% 13% 11% 11% 12% 11% 13% 14%

1 US perm
8" R30 Non-ventilated
paint on foam
27% >60 >60 30% >60% >60% 32% >60% >60% 24% 59% 60%

8" R30 Non-ventilated latex paint 35% >60 >60 51% 60% >60% 39% 55% 58% 51% 56% 57%

Ventilated
9 1/4" R30 interior poly 12% 12% 12%
Fiberglass Continuous Baffle
Batt Ventilated
9 1/4" R30
Continuous Baffle
latex paint 14% 14% 14% 13% 13% 13% 14% 14% 14% 14% 15% 16%

St. John's (4881) St. John's (4881) St. John's (4881) Regina (5660)
Other Applicable Locations Trois-Rivières (4929) Trois-Rivières (4929) Trois-Rivières (4929) Edmonton (5708)
(Heating Degree Days below 18°C) Calgary (5108) Calgary (5108) Calgary (5108) Thunder Bay (5717)
Prince George (5132) Prince George (5132) Prince George (5132) Winnipeg (5777)
Sherbrooke (5151) Sherbrooke (5151) Sherbrooke (5151) Saskatoon (5852)
From Environment Canada's
Québec City (5202) Québec City (5202) Québec City (5202) Whitehorse (6811)
Canadian Climate Normals
Sudbury (5343) Sudbury (5343) Sudbury (5343)
1971-2000

58
Yellowknife Inuvik
Cathedral Roof Construction HDD 8000 HDD 10000
M ed. M ed.
Co ntents o f Depth o f Type o f
Ventilatio n Lo w RH RH High RH Lo w RH RH High RH
Cavity Cavity Vapo ur Co ntro l
20/50% 30/55% 50% 20/50% 30/55% 50%

Ventilated

3
Closed Cell
5" R30
Continuous Baffle
ccSPF 18% 18% 18% 12% 13% 12%
2.0 pcf
Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF)

5" R30 Non-ventilated ccSPF >60% >60% >60% >60% >60% >60%

8" R30 Non-ventilated interior poly 21% 52% 55% 51% >60% >60%
0.5 pcf Open Cell

8" R30 Ventilated latex paint 24% 27% 31% 18% 25% 28%

1 US perm
8" R30 Non-ventilated
paint on foam
>60% >60% >60% >60% >60% >60%

8" R30 Non-ventilated latex paint >60% >60% >60% >60% >60% >60%

Ventilated
9 1/4" R30
Continuous Baffle
interior poly 19% 19% 19% 16% 16% 16%
Fiberglass
Batt Ventilated
9 1/4" R30
Continuous Baffle
latex paint 27% 31% 33% 21% 26% 28%

Dawson (8166) Inuvik (9767)


Other Applicable Locations Yellowknife (8256) Iqaluit (10117)
(Heating Degree Days below 18°C) Resolute (12526)

From Environment Canada's


Canadian Climate Normals
1971-2000
59
Sensitivity Analysis - Orientation
• Recall
– North orientation – least solar energy
– 12:12 pitch – least solar energy
– Cold year chosen for climate file
– Turned night sky radiation on
– Simulations were conducted until equilibrium
• Sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine
the effects of changing any of the worst case
scenario variables.
60
Orientation North vs South
Calgary (North) Calgary (South)
Cathedral Roof Construction HDD 5000 HDD 5000
M ed. M ed.
Co ntents o f Depth o f Type o f Lo w RH RH High RH Lo w RH RH High RH
Ventilatio n
Cavity Cavity Vapo ur Co ntro l 30/55% 40/60% 50% 30/55% 40/60% 50%

Ventilated
3

10% 10% 10% 5% 5% 5%


Closed Cell

5" R30 ccSPF


Continuous Baffle
Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF)

5" R30 Non-ventilated ccSPF 15% 39% 39% 7% 9% 9%

8" R30 Ventilated latex paint 10% 11% 13% 5% 5% 5%


Open Cell

1 US perm
8" R30 Non-ventilated
paint on foam
30% >60% >60% 28% 46% 46%

8" R30 Non-ventilated latex paint 51% 60% >60% 19% 32% 43%

Ventilated
9 1/4" R30 interior poly
Fiberglass Continuous Baffle
Batt Ventilated
9 1/4" R30
Continuous Baffle
latex paint 13% 13% 13% - - -

61
Conclusions
• Closed Cell Spray Foam
– Vented
• No indicated risk of moisture accumulation in the
roof sheathing in any of the simulated climates.
– Unvented
• At a recommended interior RH this assembly
worked well in any climate except the extreme
north.
• At elevated interior RH and worst case simulation
scenario there were elevated sheathing MCs in the
cities of St. John’s, Calgary, Quebec City, and
Winnipeg

62
• Open Cell Spray Foam
– Vented
• Simulations worked well in all climates except the
extreme north based on sheathing moisture
content criteria
– Full scale test data indicated potential
moisture accumulation in spray foam

63
• Open Cell Spray Foam
– Unvented Unpainted
• More vapour control is required.
– Unvented Painted
• More vapour control is required.

• The addition of airtight poly to the interior of the


unvented ocSPF assembly decreased the
predicted sheathing moisture content to safe
levels in all climates and all interior relative
humidity levels except the extreme North.

64
• Fiberglass Batt and Poly
– Vented
• No indicated risk of moisture accumulation in the
roof sheathing in any of the simulated climates.
• The assumption is that there is no air leakage.

• Full scale test data indicated elevated measured


moisture content of the rafter measurement
location. Appears to be a result of condensation.

65
Case Studies
• Hybrid Unvented Cathedral Ceiling
– Michigan, Montana
• Low slope unvented roof
– Ontario
• Unvented Cathedral Ceiling over a Pool
– North East US

66
Flash & Batt
• Technique where a split of SPF and fibrous
insulation is used
• Control condensation
• Ratio (not amount) of
impermeable foam insulation to
permeable fibrous insulation
• must be high enough for the exterior climate
and the interior RH
• BSD-163 buildingscience.com
Montana
Michigan
Unvented Lowslope Roof
• Case Study Ontario
– Architect spec’d continuous rigid insulation on
exterior (no thickness or R-value)
– R22 batt in joist space.
– Contractor ….. Used ocSPF in joist space (as
an improvement!?) and 3/8” EPS exterior
insulation
– and added a poly VB at ceiling
But… could have been fine with ccSPF or some mix of ccSPF
and ocSPF/fibrous
Swimming Pool
• ccSPF is not ALWAYS vapor tight enough!
• Snowy cold mountain side
• Pool and water slide
• Interior at 82F/28C and 65-80%RH (!!!)
81
82
Cold Weather (below freezing)
Interior RH/T conditions pool

3 times

house
commercial
Acknowledgements:
Thank you to the Canadian Urethane Foam Contractors
Association (CUFCA) for permission to include data from
their commissioned study in this presentation.

Contact me at:
jsmegal@buildingsciencelabs.com

Download the presentation in .pdf format from:


buildingsciencelabs.com/presentations

Building Science Consulting Inc. (BSCI) is a building science engineering firm based in Waterloo, Ontario. BSCI is
committed to expanding building science knowledge through research, education, and collaboration among
building science professionals. By promoting sound principles established through research, while working with
on-the-ground industry partners, BSCI aims to have a lasting impact on the quality and energy efficiency of the
built environment.

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