Gap Between Roof Sheathing And Insulation

Install baffles providing a minimum of 1 inch of clear space between framing and or under roof decking at eaves to ensure that ceiling or roof insulation does not block ventilation paths.

Gap between roof sheathing and insulation.

But where the wall sheathing meets the roof sheathing there is a gap of approximately 1 8 of an inch. The one bit of advice is to leave a little air barrier between the top of the insulation and the bottom of the roof sheathing just in case you get some condensation it will have a chance to burn off better from sun on the roof if you don t firmly pack insulation against the sheathing. In the winter humidity from the house s interior will get past the insulation and come in contact with the cold roof sheathing where it will condense into water. Shingles roofing felt stackups are on the boundary between class i class ii vapor retardency when dry at about 0 1 perms and when the roof is wet there is.

By leaving an air space between the insulation and the sheathing we can have air flow over the framing. Now wait a minute. In cold climates snow can enter the soffit and ridge vents melt and potentially cause rot. If there is a leak the air flow ventilation will help dry out the moisture.

Beyond the decreased capacity for insulation when venting the roof deck venting the roof deck or the attic has some other drawbacks worth considering. Actually panels marked sized for spacing simply mean that they are slightly smaller to allow for the recommended 1 8 gap see attached apa tt 055. Synthetic stucco photograph 8. The solution is not to ignore the insulation but to add one component.

With the air gap we get drainage and the control of hydrostatic pressure. Fasten roof sheathing panels properly. An air space between the insulation and the bottom of the roof sheathing is desirable. It doesn t mean that panel edge clips h clips are required although there are types of clips that will help with properly spacing the panels.

For vaulted or cathedral roof construction provide a free ventilation path from eaves to ridge between all rafters. However it is considered good practice to leave a 1 8 gap between sheets and that is also recommended by apa but it is not required. Providing an air gap between the stucco cladding and the exterior face of the foam sheathing prevents the debacle we got with face sealed exterior insulated finish systems a k a. And i was advised that that gap should be protected by a home inspector.

This ventilation offers another benefit.