What is the gap between roofing membrane and insulation?

Author: Kristy Hirthe Jr.  |  Last update: Tuesday, January 13, 2026

What air gap is required between insulation and breather membrane? This should be confirmed in the membrane manufacturer's BBA certificate, though 25mm to 50mm is typical.

Can insulation touch roof membrane?

You definitely don't want any insulation to touch the roof membrane as it'll pull water inside. Netting shouldn't be necessary - if the insulation doesn't touch when it is installed it'll only settle in time and won't touch later.

How much space between insulation and roof sheathing?

To maintain airflow, leave a space of 38 to 50 mm (1 1/2 to 2 in.) between the top of the insulation and the underside of the roof sheathing.

What is the clearance between insulation and roof?

Not less than a 1-inch (25 mm) space shall be provided between the insulation and the roof sheathing and at the location of the vent.

Should there be an air gap between insulation and roof?

Should you leave a gap between the insulation and the roof? Yes, you should leave an air gap between the insulation and the roof to allow proper ventilation and prevent moisture buildup.

Insulation - Warm roof v cold roof v hybrid - and why should you care

What is the gap between insulation and roof membrane?

This should be confirmed in the membrane manufacturer's BBA certificate, though 25mm to 50mm is typical.

Can insulation touch roof sheathing?

If the insulation is installed properly, there should be a 2" air space above the insulation to the sheathing. In all practical purposes, this is should be easy to do if the rafters are 10" deep and the insulation is only 8". If that is the case, the random touching of the insulation buckling up will not matter.

What goes between roof and insulation?

A vent baffle should be installed between the insulation and the roof decking to maintain the ventilation channel.

Does a breathable membrane need an air gap?

Whether for commercial or domestic properties, there should always be an air gap between the insulation and the roofing membrane (breathable or non-breathable) in a slate or tiled roof. How big that gaps is depends on the type of membrane being used in the roofing project.

Can you put too much insulation in a roof?

Yes, too much loft insulation can cause dampness in some situations. Loft insulation works by trapping warm air inside a building, preventing it from escaping through the roof. This helps to keep the interior of the building warmer in cold weather, reducing the need for heating and saving energy.

What is the allowable gap in roof sheathing?

The recommended maximum gap between roof sheathing boards for low-quality, 3-tab shingles is 1/4-inch. If asphalt shingles are installed over sheathing with gaps exceeding 1/4-inch, over time, these gaps may telegraph through and become visible.

What is the minimum space of blank provided between the insulation and the roof deck sheeting?

For cathedral ceiling applications, make sure there is a minimum of a one inch (1”) air space between the insulation and the roof deck. An insulation baffle is often used to ensure this air space is created. Unvented Attics have R-38 Integrated Roof Deck (IRD) insulation installed underneath the roof deck.

Does insulation go under roof?

But the best solution is actually to insulate both the attic floor and the underside of the roof. In this way you prevent the heat from the rooms below escaping to the attic rooms above.

Does roof insulation need vapor barrier?

(Source: NRCA.) In the event you are erecting a “cold building” (such as a refrigeration building) that stays at 32 F (0 C) degrees or less inside, you will need a vapour barrier on the outside of the insultation to prevent warm exterior air from entering and potentially damaging the roof's insulation. (Source: NRCA.)

Does a roof membrane leak?

The first sign of a damaged roof is often a leak, where the membrane has been breached. If you suspect an issue, it is a good idea to call in an expert, as a patch repair can be far cheaper than replacing the entirety of the membrane.

Is it OK for roof insulation to get wet?

No, insulation should not get wet! Wet insulation can lead to numerous problems, affecting not only the thermal efficiency of your home but also your health and finances.

What happens if you don't install an air gap?

What If My Dishwasher Has No Air Gap? Without a dishwasher air gap, contaminated water can flow back into the dishwasher. A dishwasher air gap prevents this from happening by ensuring that the water flows in one direction: out of the dishwasher and into the garbage disposal.

What is the gap between roof and insulation?

Depending on the specifics of the roof, it may be possible to fully fill the rafter depth or, in most cases, leave a 25mm or 50mm air gap between the top face of the insulation and the sarking membrane.

How much air space is between insulation and roof?

In roofs, the air gap should be larger, typically around 50mm (2 inches), to allow for proper ventilation and prevent condensation. It's important to note that some insulation materials, such as spray foam, do not require an air gap.

Can you put insulation against roof sheathing?

The roof assembly can be vented or unvented; insulation can be installed above the roof sheathing, between the rafters, under the rafters, or in a combination of these different locations.

How should roof insulation be installed?

For traditional pitched roofs, sometimes called sloping roofs, you will be looking at three main options to insulate from the inside; installing solid insulation boards between the joists of your roof, installing fibreglass or mineral wool insulation batts within the joists, or installing spray foam insulation on your ...

Should insulation touch the roof?

Insulation that touches the rafters provides better coverage and reduces the risk of heat loss. By creating a tight seal between the loft insulation and the roof, energy efficiency is improved, resulting in lower energy consumption and reduced utility bills.

Can you have too much roof insulation?

Excessively thick insulation can block most ventilation sources, reducing air quality and restricting air exchange within the loft.

Do roofers remove insulation?

In fact, homes with unfinished attics may have no rafter insulation at all — instead, they rely on fiberglass batts or blown insulation installed between the joists on the floor. In either case, though, your insulation should generally remain untouched while the roofer does their job.

Can you walk on roof insulation?

Roof deck insulation isn't a concern for walking in the attic since it is applied to the underside of the roof itself, leaving the floor less cluttered.

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