Cost effective solution for tapered insulation

Tapered insulation’s increasing popularity in flat roof projects is a triumph of design and manufacturing innovation. It means complex applications of whatever size and shape can be carried out, resulting in a time and cost-effective roof installation that achieves regulation thermal performance and offers long-term protection against the elements.

It is crucial that tapered insulation’s flexibility factor in respect of design has not compromised its primary function, which is to direct rainwater to specifically-appointed outlets to keep a roof warm and dry. Winter can be a particularly testing time for roofs, particularly those containing unrecognised faults. Between October 2023 and March 2024, the UK suffered its second wettest winter since records began, with climate change being partly attributed to the cold seasons becoming warmer and wetter. Therefore, it’s vital buildings are equipped with a flat roof that is expertly designed and contains materials capable of withstanding the climatical shift.

Tapered Insulation – Extends a Roof’s Lifespan, Saves Time on Installation

Tapered insulation is suitable for any design requiring a fall to perimeter gutters, valley gutters, outlets and a range of non-standard details. When designed to achieve a minimum 1.80 fall in accordance with BS 6229:2018 (flat roofing best practice), tapered insulation provides effective rainwater run-off. This is essential to preventing issues with ponding which left untreated, will add additional weight to a roof that could cause it to bow and sag. Tapered insulation is also recommended for:

• Extending a roof’s lifespan: Effective drainage protects a roof, reducing the need for future repairs
• Good thermal performance: Tapered insulation facilitates consistent indoor temperatures, resulting in reduced heating and cooling costs
• Cost-effective installation: Single-layer tapered insulation can be delivered to site and installed to the roof in one block, saving time and material waste
• Lightweight benefits: Tapered insulation adds minimal additional weight to a roof, making it ideal for buildings unable to support significant heavier loads

Powerdeck^® F – PIR Insulation Board with Built-in Design Flexibility and Good Thermal Performance

BBA certified Powerdeck^® F is a design-led flat roof insulation board for achieving thermal compliance and upholding weathertight protection in built-up felt and single-ply membrane waterproofing applications. Lightweight with a variable lambda value of between 0.024 - 0.027 W/mK, Powerdeck^® F boards can achieve good thermal performance in any roof design including falls, and other details such as mansafe railing and PV panels.

Faced with a mineral-coated glass fleece, Powerdeck^® boards’ compressive strength and dimensional stability ensure a flat surface finish, with the insulation performing as-designed in concert with the single-layer roofing membrane elements.

Advances in off-site manufacturing procedures and digital software has aided the development of tapered roof insulation and in the process, helped expand architects’ design pallet. From the roof downwards, this could see the UK’s structural landscape filled with evermore imaginative and exciting buildings. As part of a well-designed and installed tapered insulation scheme, Powerdeck^® F is ideal for keeping roofs, varying in size and detail, in good shape.

To discover how Powerdeck^® F can help your next roofing project, visit: https://www.recticelinsulation.com/en-gb/powerdeck-f