RoofViews

Building Science

Ventilation of Steep-Slope Roof Systems and Transitions

June 07, 2021

Woman sitting in open window under steep-slope shingle roof

Ventilation for steep-slope roof assemblies is often misunderstood. One must not only understand the code requirements, but be able to translate them into real-world installations.

Building codes have requirements for ventilation of steep-slope attics and enclosed rafter spaces.
Balanced ventilation — nearly equal amounts of intake and exhaust — typcially provides efficient ventilation.
Transitions between low-slope and steep-slope roof areas require more distinct intake and exhaust details than traditional eaves/soffits and ridges.

This blog provides information relating to ventilation for educational purposes only. Designing ventilation to meet the specific needs of a given project remains the responsibility of the architect, specifier, design professional or roofing contractor. Damage due to inadequate ventilation is typically excluded from coverage under manufacturer warranties.

Introduction

Residential attic ventilation was a requirement in the very first edition of the Building Officials Conference of America's (BOCA's) model building code that was published in 1948! Even though this requirement has been around for decades, it is still often misunderstood. Perhaps it's the words used and perhaps it's because the code isn't quite specific enough.

When discussing residential construction, we often hear something like "We need to vent the roof," when we really mean that we need to vent the attic. We don't ventilate steep-slope roofs themselves; we ventilate the space beneath the roof. More specifically, ventilation is needed for the space under the roof system that is above the insulation in the attic floor. That's the space we know most commonly as an attic (when the insulation is located in/on the floor of the attic).

Benefits of attic ventilation

Ventilation of an attic space provides a couple of benefits: it lowers the attic temperature and also helps reduce excess moisture that can accumulate. These benefits occur when the air in an attic space is replaced by outside air that is a lower temperature and has less moisture in it (i.e., lower relative humidity). While this seems obvious for most parts of the US, even in warm, humid locations like Miami and Houston, the majority of the time the ambient air is cooler and contains less moisture than the air in an unconditioned attic.

Code requirements

The International Residential Code (IRC) applies to one- and two-family dwellings, and because of that, most in the roofing industry relate attic and rafter ventilation with residential steep-slope construction, which is a valid and correct presumption. However, the International Building Code (IBC), which covers all buildings other than one- and two-family dwellings (e.g., commercial, industrial, institutional, large residential), also includes information about attic and rafter ventilation because a large number of these types of buildings also include steep-slope roof systems.

To that end, both the IBC and the IRC have requirements that apply to the ventilation of attics and enclosed rafter spaces. These requirements are included in Chapter 8, Section R806, Ventilation in the 2018 IRC, and in Chapter 12, Section 1202, Ventilation in the 2018 IBC. (Free versions of the codes are found here.)

Both the IRC and IBC include nearly identical requirements, albeit the code sections are arranged slightly differently. The following summarizes the requirements:

The requirements for ventilation are specific to enclosed attics (insulation on the floor of the attic) and enclosed rafter spaces (where ceilings are applied directly to the underside of roof rafters/framing members and insulation is between rafters above the ceiling).
Vents should not allow the entry of rain and snow.
Vents are to be protected from the entry of small 'creatures' such as birds and rodents.
Corrosion-resistant materials are to be used, and minimum and maximum sizes of vent openings are provided.
The minimum net free vent area is 1/150 of the vented space.
The minimum net free vent area can be reduced to 1/300 when both of the following conditions are met:
- In climate zones 6, 7, and 8, a Class I or II vapor retarder¹ is installed on the warm-in-winter side of the ceiling (i.e., attic floor).
- A "balanced ventilation"² method is used.

¹Vapor retarders — An example of a Class I vapor retarder is a polyethylene sheet, and an example of a Class II vapor retarder is kraft-faced fiberglass batt insulation. The polyethylene sheet or the kraft-paper side of the insulation should be installed immediately below the attic floor insulation layer in order to meet the requirements shown above, regardless if it's a traditional attic or an enclosed rafter space. Importantly, but not specifically required in the codes, these vapor retarders should be installed and detailed to also act as air barriers to prevent warm, moist air from the interior spaces from leaking up into the attic.

²Balanced ventilation — "Balanced ventilation" means 40% to 50% of the required ventilation area is located in the upper portion of the attic, and the remainder is used for intake at the eave or within the bottom 1/3 of the attic area. Commonly, exhaust vents consist of continuous ridge vents or static vents no more than 3 feet from the ridge (measured vertically). Intake vents within soffits or eaves are common, and in-plane intake vents (such as GAF Cobra IntakePro^®) are used when eaves and soffits are not built to include intake vents.

Current construction methods commonly incorporate the balanced ventilation method for residential attic construction and, therefore, the 1/300 ratio is used to calculate ventilation amounts. The 1/300 ratio means 1 square foot of attic ventilation (evenly split between intake and exhaust) is needed for every 300 square feet of attic floor space.

The intent of the requirements for balanced ventilation is that there is more intake than exhaust. This is quite important! Having more intake than exhaust means there will be proper convective flow from eave to ridge. Because warm, moist air is more buoyant than dry air, the warm, moist air rises and is exhausted at the upper portion of the attic. When there is less intake than exhaust, the lack of intake can "choke" the system, reducing the overall effectiveness of the attic ventilation system.

Balanced ventilation and reroofing

Balanced ventilation is not only important for new construction, but it is an important objective for steep-slope reroofing projects, especially for residential construction. During reroofing, if the amount of exhaust is increased (e.g., by adding a ridge vent with more total exhaust capacity than the previous static exhaust vents), the amount of intake ventilation should be determined and increased as necessary to create a balanced system. If the amount of intake is too little, intake air will come from other sources! A lack of intake at the eave/soffit can lead to air being drawn into the attic from the interior of a residence through can-lights, ceiling vents, and attic-access locations. Believe it or not, air can be pulled from basements and crawl spaces through the cavities in interior walls up into the attic spaces. These "interior" sources of air can contain warm, moist air that can be detrimental to attics, causing condensation and other moisture problems that didn't previously exist. The interior air may not have been drawn into the attic if the system was previously balanced, even if undersized. So, be cautious when increasing the exhaust amounts on existing buildings without assessing the intake amounts. Addressing any 'intake' deficiencies during steep-slope reroofing projects can help ensure that ventilation is balanced and functioning as intended.

This post isn't going to dive into calculating the required amounts of ventilation. To better familiarize yourself with that calculation, use the GAF Attic Ventilation Calculator. The calculator determines the minimum amount of exhaust and intake, and the minimum lineal feet of specific GAF products, such as Cobra Rigid Vent 3 for warmer climates, Cobra SnowCountry for cold and snow climates, and Master Flow Undereave Vents, is provided to meet those calculated amounts per the 1/300 ratio.

Modern changes to construction: Cathedral ceilings

Historically, given that attic ventilation requirements go back decades, the code originally applied only to the traditional attic space under a steep-slope roof — that is, attics with insulation located at the floor of the attic/in the ceiling of the upper floor of a residence. Today, and in the recent past, the traditional attic space is often now a usable, conditioned space. That means the ceiling is attached to the underside of the sloped rafters creating a cathedral ceiling, or some form of that. The traditional attic is turned into occupied space, and the result is an enclosed rafter space. (Remember the code language from earlier that says "attics and enclosed rafter spaces"?)

Chapter 8, Section R806, Ventilation in the 2018 IRC, and Chapter 12, Section 1202, Ventilation in the 2018 IBC provide an option for ventilation when a cathedral ceiling is installed with insulation under the roof deck in the enclosed rafter space. The specific requirement for this type of construction states that there must be a minimum 1" vent space in each rafter space directly beneath the roof deck above the insulation. This can be somewhat difficult to construct and maintain continuous air flow. Also, once constructed, inspection and repair is difficult without removal of interior drywall and/or exterior soffits and eave components. The graphic, from the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, is an example of ventilation of the construction method that incorporates enclosed rafter spaces.

The 1" minimum required air space (under the deck between the rafters) is considered to be the vented space, and that means the requirements for the protection of openings from snow, rain, and small creatures, as well as corrosion resistance and sizes of vent openings, are applicable.

The minimum net free vent area requirements may also apply when there is a vent cavity/air space under the deck and above the insulation between the rafters. In other words, the vent space size is calculated the same way as the traditional attic space. Specifically, the 1/150 ratio still applies, and in order to reduce the amount of ventilation to 1/300, the additional requirements for Class I and II vapor retarders in Climate Zones 6, 7, and 8, and balanced ventilation also apply. At no time can the vent space between the rafters above the insulation and below the roof deck have less net free vent area than is required for intake and exhaust vents. The depth of the air space may need to be greater than 1" deep to accommodate enough air flow to provide proper ventilation.

For example, if the 1/300 ratio determines that 10 square inches per lineal foot of net free vent area (NFVA) is required, a 1" deep air space is appropriate. However, if 20 square inches per lineal foot of NFVA is required, then a 2" deep air space is needed to provide appropriate air flow. Calculating the required depth of the air space to match the amount of NFVA for eave intake and ridge exhaust should take into account the ratio of rafter-to-open air space for continuous eave and ridge vents.

Tricky transitions

There are many options to vent eaves and ridges on traditional residential construction. However, where a steep-slope roof transitions to a low-slope roof (and vice-versa), the methods to provide intake and exhaust ventilation can be a bit trickier.

Where a low-slope roof abuts the low edge of a steep-slope roof, a good option for intake vents is to use a "deck-level" intake vent, such as GAF Cobra Intake Pro. This type of intake vent is intended for use where there are no eaves or soffits available to install traditional intake vents. Due to the potential for water to build-up at the transition from the low-slope roof to the steep-slope roof due to rain, sleet, or snow, or some combination thereof, it's logical to install a "deck-level" intake vent up-slope at least 2 courses. It is best to locate an intake vent far enough up-slope to help prevent snow from blocking the vents, as well.

The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), in The NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep-slope Roof Systems —2017, provides the following detail for a "Steep- To Low-Slope Roof System Transition." A key element is that NRCA shows the bottom edge of the shingle roof is a minimum of 10" from the low slope transition point. This helps prevent water intrusion through the steep-slope roof. And if the "deck level" intake vent is up 2 courses, the intake is some 20" from the surface of the low-slope roof (albeit measured along the slope, not vertically).

Where a low-slope roof abuts the upper portion of a steep-slope roof, detailing and constructing the exhaust vent is needed in order to properly terminate the low-slope roof. The concept, in general, is to use one-half of a ridge vent, and that likely means this detail is built in place (it does not appear that there are pre-manufactured vent devices for this type of installation). A gap is needed at the top of the sloped deck to allow air to move from the attic or enclosed rafter space up and out the vent material. As shown in the detail below, wood blocking and vent materials are installed on top of and along the upper edge of the steep-slope roof covering. A nailable top layer (e.g., a 2x6) is installed to keep the vent material in place and to act as a nail base for the termination of the low-slope roof.

In addition to the ventilation details needed at these types of transitions, it's important to remember the transition details need to consider the continuation of the water, air, thermal, and vapor boundary conditions. You can refresh your knowledge with this GAF blog post.

What the codes mean but don't say

Simply put, ventilation of attics and enclosed rafter spaces occurs outside of the thermal layer. The code requirements have been developed and instituted based on this, but codes don't explicitly state it. That leads to confusion by some who ask if low-slope roofs need to include ventilation. Let's think about that. For membrane roofs with insulation above the deck (that is, compact roofs), where exactly would the ventilation space be located? Between the insulation and the membrane? That's not how low-slope roofs are constructed. The next possible location for a ventilation space would be under the deck, which means the ventilation is on the conditioned side of the thermal layer for a low-slope, compact roof system, and that is illogical. Expensive conditioned air would easily escape from the building, and unwanted exterior air would easily enter. That would be like leaving doors and windows wide open while air-conditioning or heating a space.

One very important point — even if there was a way to provide intake and exhaust vents as part of a low-slope roof system, a horizontal air space provides no path for warm moist air to rise to an exhaust vent. Another way to say it — natural convective flow does not really happen in a horizontal space.

In conclusion

We ventilate our attics and enclosed rafter spaces to remove unwanted heat and moisture. According to the GAF Pro Field Guide for Steep-slope Roofs, attics can reach up to 165° F, and for asphalt shingles, excessive heat can reduce shingle life. The Guide provides information why venting makes sense, and there are a couple other details available for review and use. Keep your ventilation balanced!

About the Author

James R Kirby

James R. Kirby, AIA, is a GAF building and roofing science architect. Jim has a Masters of Architectural Structures and is a licensed architect. He has over 25 years of experience in the roofing industry covering low-slope roof systems, steep-slope roof systems, metal panel roof systems, spray polyurethane foam roof systems, vegetative roof coverings, and rooftop photovoltaics. He understands the effects of heat, air, and moisture movement through a roof system. Jim presents building and roofing science information to architects, consultants and building owners, and writes articles and blogs for building owners and facility managers, and the roofing industry. Kirby is a member of AIA, ASTM, ICC, MRCA, NRCA, RCI, and the USGBC.

What is going on here?No, this roof does not have measles, it has a problem with thermal bridging through the roof fasteners holding its components in place, and this problem is not one to be ignored.As building construction evolves, you'd think these tiny breaches through the insulating layers of the assembly, known as point thermal bridges, would matter less and less. But, as it happens, the reverse is true! The tighter and better-insulated a building, the bigger the difference all of the weak points, in its thermal enclosure, make. A range of codes and standards are beginning to address this problem, though it's important to note that there is often a time lag between development of codes and their widespread adoption.What Is the Industry Doing About It?Long in the business of supporting high-performance building enclosures, Phius (Passive House Institute US) provides a Fastener Correction Calculator along with a way to calculate the effect of linear thermal bridges (think shelf angles, lintels, and so on). By contrast, the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code also addresses thermal bridging, but only considers framing materials to be thermal bridges, and actually pointedly ignores the effects of point loads like fasteners in its definition of continuous insulation: "insulation material that is continuous across all structural members without thermal bridges other than fasteners and service openings" (Section C202). Likewise, The National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings: 2020 addresses thermal bridging of a number of building components, but also explicitly excludes fasteners: "in calculating the overall thermal transmittance of assemblies…fasteners need not be taken into account" (Section 3.1.1.7.3). Admittedly, point thermal bridges are often excluded because it is challenging to assess them with simple simulation tools.Despite this, researchers have had a hunch for decades that thermal bridging through the multitude of fasteners often used in roofs is in fact significant enough to warrant study. Investigators at the National Bureau of Standards, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the National Research Council Canada, and consulting firms Morrison Hershfield and Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH), have conducted laboratory and computer simulation studies to analyze the effects of point thermal bridges.Why Pay Attention Now?The problem has been made worse in recent years because changes in wind speeds, design wind pressures, and roof zones as dictated by ASCE 7-16 and 7-22 (see blogs by Jim Kirby and Kristin Westover for more insight), mean that fastener patterns are becoming denser in many cases. This means that there is more metal on average, per square foot of roof, than ever before. More metal means that more heat escapes the building in winter and enters the building in summer. By making our buildings more robust against wind uplift to meet updated standards, we are in effect making them less robust against the negative effects of hot and cold weather conditions.So, how bad is this problem, and what's a roof designer to do about it? A team of researchers at SGH, Virginia Tech, and GAF set out to determine the answer, first by simplifying the problem. Our plan was to develop computer simulations to accurately anticipate the thermal bridging effects of fasteners based on their characteristics and the characteristics of the roof assemblies in which they are used. In other words, we broke the problem down into parts, so we could know how each part affects the problem as a whole. We also wanted to carefully check the assumptions underlying our computer simulation and ensure that our results matched up with what we were finding in the lab. The full paper describing our work was delivered at the 2023 IIBEC Convention and Trade Show, but here are the high points, starting with how we set up the study.First, we began with a simple 4" polyisocyanurate board (ISO), and called it Case A-I.Next, we added a high-density polyisocyanurate cover board (HD ISO), and called that Case A-II.Third, we added galvanized steel deck to the 4" polyiso, and called that Case A-III.Finally, we created the whole sandwich: HD ISO and ISO over steel deck, which was Case A-IV.Note that we did not include a roof membrane, substrate board, air barrier, or vapor retarder in these assemblies, partly to keep it simple, and partly because these components don't typically add much insulation value to a roof assembly.The cases can be considered base cases, as they do not yet contain a fastener. We needed to simulate and physically test these, so we could understand the effect that fasteners have when added to them.We also ran a set of samples, B-I through B-IV, that corresponded with cases A-I through A-IV above, but had one #12 fastener, 6" long, in the center of the 2' x 2' assembly, with a 3" diameter insulation plate. These are depicted below. The fastener penetrated the ISO and steel deck, but not the HD ISO.One visualization of the computer simulation is shown here, for Case B-IV. The stripes of color, or isotherms, show the vulnerability of the assembly at the location of the fastener.What did we find? The results might surprise you.First, it's no surprise that the fastener reduced the R-value of the 2' x 2' sample of ISO alone by 4.2% in the physical sample, and 3.4% in the computer simulation (Case B-I compared to Case A-I).When the HD ISO was added (Cases II), R-value fell by 2.2% and 2.7% for the physical experiment and computer simulation, respectively, when the fastener was added. In other words, adding the fastener still caused a drop in R-value, but that drop was considerably less than when no cover board was used. This proved what we suspected, that the HD ISO had an important protective effect against the thermal bridging caused by the fastener.Next, we found that the steel deck made a big difference as well. In the physical experiment, the air contained in the flutes of the steel deck added to the R-value of the assembly, while the computer simulation did not account for this effect. That's an item that needs to be addressed in the next phase of research. Despite this anomaly, both approaches showed the same thing: steel deck acts like a radiator, exacerbating the effect of the fastener. In the assemblies with just ISO and steel deck (Cases III), adding a fastener resulted in an R-value drop of 11.0% for the physical experiment and 4.6% for the computer simulation compared to the assembly with no fastener.Finally, the assemblies with all the components (HD ISO, ISO and steel deck, a.k.a. Cases IV) showed again that the HD ISO insulated the fastener and reduced its negative impact on the R-value of the overall assembly. The physical experiment had a 6.1% drop (down from 11% with no cover board!) and the computer simulation a 4.2% drop (down from 4.6% with no cover board) in R-value when the fastener was added.What Does This Study Tell Us?The morals of the study just described are these:Roof fasteners have a measurable impact on the R-value of roof insulation.High-density polyisocyanurate cover boards go a long way toward minimizing the thermal impacts of roof fasteners.Steel deck, due to its high conductivity, acts as a radiator, amplifying the thermal bridging effect of fasteners.What Should We Do About It?As for figuring out what to do about it, this study and others first need to be extended to the real world, and that means making assumptions about parameters like the siting of the building, the roof fastener densities required, and the roof assembly type.Several groups have made this leap from looking at point thermal bridges to what they mean for a roof's overall performance. The following example was explored in a paper by Taylor, Willits, Hartwig and Kirby, presented at the RCI, Inc. Building Envelope Technology Symposium in 2018. In that paper, the authors extended computer simulation results from a 2015 paper by Olson, Saldanha, and Hsu to a set of actual roofing scenarios. They found that the installation method has a big impact on the in-service R-value of the roof.They assumed a 15,000-square-foot roof, fastener patterns and densities based on a wind uplift requirement of 120 pounds per square foot, and a design R-value of R-30. In this example, a traditional mechanically attached roof had an in-service R-value of only R-25, which is a 17% loss compared to the design R-value.An induction-welded roof was a slight improvement over the mechanically attached assembly, with an in-service value of only R-26.5 (a 12% loss compared to the design R-value).Adhering instead of fastening the top layer of polyiso resulted in an in-service R-value of R-28.7 (a 4% loss compared to the design R-value).Finally, in their study, an HD polyiso board was used as a mechanically fastened substrate board on top of the steel deck, allowing both layers of continuous polyiso insulation and the roof membrane to be adhered. Doing so resulted in an in-service R-value of R-29.5, representing only a 1.5% loss compared to the design R-value.To operationalize these findings in your own roofing design projects, consider the following approaches:Consider eliminating roof fasteners altogether, or burying them beneath one or more layers of insulation. Multiple studies have shown that placing fastener heads and plates beneath a cover board, or, better yet, beneath one or two layers of staggered insulation, such as GAF's EnergyGuard™ Polyiso Insulation, can dampen the thermal bridging effects of fasteners. Adhering all or some of the layers of a roof assembly minimizes unwanted thermal outcomes.Consider using an insulating cover board, such as GAF's EnergyGuard™ HD or EnergyGuard™ HD Plus Polyiso cover board. Installing an adhered cover board in general is good roofing practice for a host of reasons: they provide enhanced longevity and system performance by protecting roof membranes and insulation from hail damage; they allow for enhanced wind uplift and improved aesthetics; and they offer additional R-value and mitigate thermal bridging as shown in our recent study.Consider using an induction-welded system that minimizes the number of total roof fasteners by dictating an even spacing of insulation fasteners. The special plates of these fasteners are then welded to the underside of the roof membrane using an induction heat tool. This process eliminates the need for additional membrane fasteners.Consider beefing up the R-value of the roof insulation. If fasteners diminish the actual thermal performance of roof insulation, building owners are not getting the benefit of the design R-value. Extra insulation beyond the code minimum can be specified to make up the difference.Where Do We Go From Here?Some work remains to be done before we have a computer simulation that more closely aligns with physical experiments on identical assemblies. But, the two methods in our recent study aligned within a range of 0.8 to 6.7%, which indicates that we are making progress. With ever-better modeling methods, designers should soon be able to predict the impact of fasteners rather than ignoring it and hoping for the best.Once we, as a roofing industry, have these detailed computer simulation tools in place, we can include the findings from these tools in codes and standards. These can be used by those who don't have the time or resources to model roof assemblies using a lab or sophisticated modeling software. With easy-to-use resources quantifying thermal bridging through roof fasteners, roof designers will no longer be putting building owners at risk of wasting energy, or, even worse, of experiencing condensation problems due to under-insulated roof assemblies. Designers will have a much better picture of exactly what the building owner is getting when they specify a roof that includes fasteners, and which of the measures detailed above they might take into consideration to avoid any negative consequences.This research discussed in this blog was conducted with a grant from the RCI-IIBEC Foundation and was presented at IIBEC's 2023 Annual Trade Show and Convention in Houston on March 6. Contact IIBEC at https://iibec.org/ or GAF at BuildingScience@GAF.com for more information.

Liquid-applied roof membranes (LAM) and roof coatings (aka, maintenance coatings) are not only here to stay, their use is on the rise. This blog takes a look at how the building code and the roofing industry generally differentiate between liquid-applied roof membranes and roof coatings. There is confusion because the intended use of each is different, yet many of the materials are the same for both applications. Here's what you need to know to help understand and differentiate between the two.IntroductionCoatings have been used in the construction and roofing industries for a very long time! They have been made from many different materials--from beeswax and pitch some 5000 years ago, to lacquers and varnishes just a couple thousand years ago, to our current polymer-based materials. According to the Roof Coating Manufacturers Association, "the most dramatic advance in coating properties has come in the past 40 years, with the development of polymers1." Polymer-based coatings are used on plaza decks, parking garages, balconies, playgrounds, and roofs, for example, to provide a level of water-resistance and an aesthetically pleasing surface. Polymer-based liquid-applied membranes are used as the water-proofing layer for new roofs, replacement roofs, and roof re-cover systems. The common polymer-based materials include acrylics, silicones, and urethanes. More information about these materials can be found here.The spotlight is on these types of polymers because the materials we use for coatings are quite often also being used as liquid-applied membranes. How do we categorize and define these different installations that have different intended uses when both applications use essentially the same set of materials? This blog takes a close look at each of these product categories—coatings and liquid-applied membranes—to find their similarities and differences. And hopefully to provide clarity around the use of terms and definitions of use.Market ShareIn 2017, The Freedonia Group published a research study titled, "Liquid-Applied Roof Coatings in the US by Product and Subregion." According to that report, 11.85 million squares (1.185 billion square feet) of liquid-applied roof coating were installed in 2016. Approximately 40% was installed in the South, with the remainder essentially evenly split between the Northeast, Midwest, and West regions.The Freedonia Group reported a number of key findings that help explain the increased use of coatings."The South will be the leading US regional market for roof coatings in 2021, boosted by a high level of interest in cool roofing products and in protecting roofs against storm damage.The West will see solid growth as communities amend building codes to mandate the use of cool roofing.Liquid-applied roof coating demand in the Midwest and Northeast will be supported by rising use of roof coatings to rejuvenate older roofs instead of engaging in more costly reroofing projects."Note: The Freedonia Group's report does not separate market share based on liquid-applied materials used as roof coatings versus liquid-applied materials used as roof membranes.The use of coatings and liquid-applied membranes is increasing for a number of additional reasons as well.The use of materials that can be applied at ambient temperature is welcomed by an installer. There are no super-heated materials or open flames therefore reducing specific safety concerns.Materials are typically provided in containers sized for easy transport to and from rooftops.Common low-cost installation tools are used—brooms, brushes, squeegees; and simple, low-cost spray equipment.Using liquid-applied membranes can reduce waste created by a tear off.These materials are commonly light colored so they are reflective to help improve energy efficiency.Depending on the design (intent) and application of polymer-based materials, they can be used to extend the life of an existing roof when used as a coating, or to provide a warranted or guaranteed, waterproofing roof covering when used as a liquid-applied membrane.Defining the TermsOne way to help sort out the difference between coatings and liquid-applied membranes is to understand current definitions used in the industry. The International Building Code (IBC) is a good place to start since it is considered to be consensus-based.International Building CodeThe International Building Code does include a definition for coating, but does not include a definition for liquid-applied membrane."ROOF COATING. A fluid-applied, adhered coating used for roof maintenance or roof repair, or as a component of a roof covering system or roof assembly."IBC's definition of Roof Coating tells us three things.Coatings are fluid-applied and adhered (to a substrate)Coatings are used for maintenance or repair "Roof Repair" is defined as "Reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing roof for the purposes of correcting damage or restoring pre-damage condition." Coatings can be a component of a roof system or roof assembly (which are the same according to ICC's definitions) "Roof Assembly" is defined as "A system designed to provide weather protection and resistance to design loads. The system consists of a roof covering and roof deck or a single component serving as both the roof covering and the roof deck. A roof assembly can include an underlayment, a thermal barrier, insulation or a vapor retarder." "Roof Covering" is defined as "The covering applied to the roof deck for weather resistance, fire classification or appearance." "Roof Covering System" is a "Roof Assembly" per IBC. Realistically, IBC's definition of Roof Coating doesn't get us that much closer to differentiating coatings and liquid-applied membranes, except that coatings are intended for maintenance and repair. And per IBC's definition, coatings can be used for Roof Repairs to "correct damage or restore pre-damage condition," but that is not how coatings are generally intended to be used.Taking a look at how Chapter 15 of IBC is arranged gives a bit of insight into IBC's perspective on coatings and liquid-applied membranes. Section 1507, Requirements for Roof Coverings, has and continues to include all low-slope and steep-slope materials used as roof coverings that are recognized by the code. This includes materials such as asphalt, wood, and slate shingles, as well as modified bitumen and single-ply roofing (and myriad others). The ICC has always included a section specifically for Liquid-applied Roofing within Section 1507, but there has never been a section for Coatings (until this year—more on that in a bit). To that end, the IBC is essentially saying Liquid-applied Membranes are categorized similarly to all other membranes that are used as roof coverings and their intended use is for "weather resistance, fire classification or appearance" (from IBC's definition as shown above). Because liquid-applied membranes are considered to be roof coverings, roof systems that use a liquid-applied membrane need to be tested for fire, wind, and impact… like any traditional membrane roof system.The liquid-applied membrane subsection within Section 1507 includes ASTM standards for materials not only used as liquid-applied membranes, but it includes the polymer-based materials (e.g., acrylics, polyurethanes, silicones) that are also intended to be used as coatings. This led to confusion within the code requirements, specifically how code officials would enforce the application of a coating product on an existing roof--as a new roof or as a maintenance item.To help with clarification and code enforcement, new language was added to the 2018 IBC in the Reroofing Section that stated a roof coating can be applied to (essentially) any existing roof without triggering reroofing requirements. The 2015 IBC and earlier versions only stated that coatings could be applied over an existing Spray Polyurethane Foam without removing any existing roofs. The IBC 2018 code language is as follows:"Section 1511.3, Roof Replacement. Exception 4: The application of a new protective roof coating over an existing protective roof coating, metal roof panel, built-up roof, spray polyurethane foam roofing system, metal roof shingles, mineral-surfaced roll roofing, modified bitumen roofing or thermoset and thermoplastic single-ply roofing shall be permitted without tear off of existing roof coverings."The additional language in the 2018 IBC was a very important step in distinguishing between coatings and liquid-applied membranes.The I-Codes were further revised regarding coatings and liquid-applied membranes in the 2021 IBC; a new section was added--Section 1509, Roof Coatings. This was an entirely new section, and importantly, Roof Coatings are not a subsection within Section 1507, Roof Coverings. This strengthens the differentiation from a code perspective that coatings are not considered to be a new roof covering. However, the IBC 2021 remains without a definition for liquid-applied roofing or liquid-applied membrane. The code ultimately relies on manufacturers' intentions for their products as the differentiating factor between coatings and liquid-applied membranes.ASTMUnfortunately, ASTM D1079, "Standard Terminology Relating to Roofing and Waterproofing" does not define either term.Industry PerspectiveWhat does GAF, a leading supplier of both systems, say about each? From GAF's page, Liquid-Applied Coating Solutions, the following descriptions are provided."What is a Liquid Membrane Roofing System?A liquid-applied roofing system consists of multiple components that come together to form a fully adhered, seamless, and self-flashing membrane. Components include liquid applied coatings and mesh membranes to create a true liquid membrane system that preserves and protects the integrity of the building." Examples of some of the leading products can be found here."What is a Roof Coating System?Roof Coatings are designed for extending the life of existing structurally sound roofs. GAF Roof Coatings are specially formulated to extend the life of roofs while protecting them from damaging effects of weather and the environment such as UV light, water and wind. GAF offers roof coatings in a variety of different technologies such as acrylic, silicone and polyurethanes to meet many different building needs and budgets."According to GAF, a liquid-applied roofing membrane protects the integrity of the building (like any traditional membrane-type roof system) and coatings are designed for extending the life of structurally sound roofs.The Roof Coating Manufacturers Association (RCMA) has a thorough description of a roof coating. RCMA is appropriately focused on the makeup of a coating (i.e., higher solids content, high quality resins) to differentiate roof coatings from what is commonly called "paint." One concept from RCMA in particular stands out—because roof coatings are "elastomeric and durable films," they provide "an additional measure of waterproofing" and can "bridge small cracks and membrane seams." The roofing industry recognizes a coating's ability to provide an amount of weather resistance / restorative properties, but this characteristic (i.e., crack bridging) is difficult to test for and quantify. And it is worth repeating, a roof coating is primarily intended to extend the service life of structurally sound roofs, not necessarily be the waterproofing layer. That is the intent of a liquid-applied membrane.FM ApprovalsLiquid-applied membranes are considered to be roof coverings by the IBC, and therefore they must be tested and have approval listings. Approval listings are used to show that systems have been tested and comply with the code requirements for roof system properties like fire-, wind-, and impact-resistance.RoofNav—New ConstructionTo that end, performing a search using the Assembly Search function within FM's RoofNav software results in a number of Approval Listings for "Liquid Applied Systems" used for New Roofs. With no manufacturer selected, the RoofNav search resulted in more than 10,000 Approval Listings for liquid-applied roofs used for new construction!Performing a second search using GAF as the manufacturer results in nearly 250 Approval Listings for "Liquid Applied Systems" used as new roofs. The nearly 250 Approval Listings include applications primarily over DensDeck™ and spray foam. When a liquid-applied membrane is used over a substrate board, such as a DensDeck™ board, a reinforcing fabric embedded between two foundation coats is used. The use of the substrate board is more common for new construction or roof replacement projects and is not common when re-covering an existing roof.An example RoofNav listing is shown here. It includes a finish coat and foundation coat with fabric over DensDeck that is adhered to polyiso, and the polyiso is adhered to a concrete deck.Wind-uplift capacity of liquid-applied membrane roof systems can be quite high. The example above has a wind uplift rating of 270 psf! Where would such a high-capacity roof system even be needed? Here's a blog that discusses design wind pressures.RoofNav—Re-coverIn addition to their use as new roofing, one of the primary attributes of liquid-applied membranes is their use over an existing roof. Searching RoofNav using GAF and "Re-Cover" as the Application results in nearly 200 Approval Listings.If a liquid-applied roof system is used in a re-cover application, the use of the reinforcing fabric seems to be tied to the specific substrate. Looking through GAF's RoofNav Approval Listings for Re-cover Liquid-Applied Systems, reinforcing fabric is used when re-covering traditional multi-ply asphaltic membrane roof systems, or TPO and PVC membranes. However, when the substrate is a standing-seam type metal roof panel, a metal-faced composite panel, or spray foam, the fabric is not listed as a necessary component of an Approval Listing.It's important to recognize that an FM Approval Listing also provides information about the internal fire rating, exterior fire rating, and hail ratings. Many liquid-applied roof systems achieve Class A Exterior Fire ratings as well as Moderate or Severe Hail ratings. For a short tutorial on using RoofNav's Assembly Search feature, watch this video.In SummaryThe following chart is intended to provide examples of similarities and differences between coatings and liquid-applied membranes.ConclusionSimply put, coatings are used to provide protection from the elements and help extend service life. Coatings are not installed as 'membranes' so they are not intended to seal leaks or be considered "waterproof". Liquid-applied membranes are considered to be just that—membranes—and are used as the covering in new and re-cover roof systems. Liquid-applied membranes are tested as systems and have approval listings just like traditional asphaltic, modified bitumen, and single-ply roof systems.References:1RCMA.org/history-of-roof-coatings

Getting multiple professionals involved in a commercial roofing project offers a way to capture different perspectives—and to shine a light on some of the industry's hidden complexities—especially when it comes to challenging details like parapet walls.GAF Director of Building and Roofing Sciences Jennifer Keegan brought together a discussion team comprising a roofing contractor, a roof consultant, and an architect to examine and explore the challenges parapets pose in building design. These seemingly simple elements of a building—a parapet is essentially where the roof meets the wall—aren't in reality so straightforward and Keegan describes them as being complex areas "where building aesthetics meet performance."Parapet walls are integral to air and moisture management, energy efficiency, construction trade sequencing, and operational maintenance, Keegan notes. And all are essential for the building's performance, making strong communication between all the parties involved in the project crucial to the prevention of future issues.We're All on the Same TeamAt the end of the day, everyone working on a project wants a satisfied customer and a building that will perform for years to come. The question is how to get there.Understanding the ChallengesThroughout a project, key contributors may butt heads. It's important to understand each other's perspectives and challenges to overcome siloed communication and function as a cohesive team.Performance and design. From the architect's perspective, one of the biggest challenges is meeting a design vision without jeopardizing performance. The goal being to make functional elements essentially invisible to the naked eye but still have them perform well (keeping the building watertight, etc.).During roof replacements. Building Envelope Consultant Caitlin Maggiano notes that the toughest challenges she faces regarding parapets arise from unforeseen conditions. For example, removing an old roof sometimes reveals a mess of crumbling masonry or rotted wood underneath. She emphasizes how crucial communication is as these conditions are discovered. In such cases, the challenge then becomes structural stability along with repairs to ensure the building offers moisture mitigation and air control.Watertightness. Whether working on a roof replacement or a new construction project, Jay Smith, former contractor and current GAF CARE trainer says his top concern is how watertight the system is at the wall—a feat that requires outstanding communication and coordination between all parties on the job: "We want to make sure we are there on time and that all parts of the job are made watertight," he explains.Getting Ahead of the UnexpectedIn order to identify any potential issues that may affect performance, Smith says he makes sure he's on the job even before it's ready for the roofing system. GAF Care Trainer James Willits shared how, for instance, a simple issue of a window being installed on a wall a little lower than specified can lead to big problems later on—such as making it more difficult to achieve the proper slope from the wall to the drain and meet the required 8-inch flashing height. When this happens, the roofing team needs to get creative with tapered insulation to ensure that water can properly flow toward the roof drain.Willits continues with the example of a typical expansion joint where two walls come together and terminate into the parapet wall. This requires real trade coordination—one trade does the steel deck, another does the wood or masonry work on the wall, and then the roofing contractor comes in to make everything watertight. Strong communication throughout the process keeps everyone aligned so that the building can hold out against the threat of water and air infiltration.This need for alignment is precisely why Smith gets involved in the job as early as possible: "I'm pulling measurements from my set of plans that I have and making sure everything's matching up—and, if anything doesn't, that's when I start shooting out emails and phone calls and going back into the job trailer [to] figure out where things went a little bit differently."Staying in TouchCommunication between all parties throughout a project puts potential problems under a continual, multidisciplinary spotlight that helps a team to catch them as early as possible—even at the design stage. For example, it's important to consider the constructability of the design and anticipate issues that may arise during construction. In such cases, mockups can be used to make it easier to identify possible issues before a project starts, says Smith. He encourages architects to specify mockups in the project documents. That way, when the roof is installed, a team can feel confident that it will perform the way it was designed to.Design Support When You Need ItWhen a challenging design results in even more challenging roofing details, you don't have to go it alone. Learn more about how the experts at GAF are available to offer assistance and support with designing custom tapered systems, identifying sustainable products, understanding codes and approvals, and everything in between.

Don't miss another GAF RoofViews post!

Subscribe now

Ventilation of Steep-Slope Roof Systems and Transitions

Share