SPF Cathedral Ceiling Insights
SPF Cathedral Ceiling Insights
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)
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.
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
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
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
-0.20
-0.25
-0.30
-0.35
-0.40
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0
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 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%
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%
Ventilated
3
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.
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.
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
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.