Unvented Roofs Without Spray Foam: A New Free Course

Here’s the backstory on “Unvented Roofs Without Spray Foam“, a new free course taught by Kohta Ueno and offered in partnership with the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association and Building Science Corporation:

Back in 2016, the Building Science Corporation team started a multiyear experiment, sponsored by Building America, on unvented roofs without spray foam or exterior rigid insulation, using an instrumented test hut with multiple test bays. The experiment examined cellulose vs. fiberglass insulation, interior vapor control membranes, diffusion vents at the ridge, interior humidification, inward vapor drive issues, and the effect of air barrier imperfections. Some preliminary results were presented at BuildingEnergy Boston in early 2018. After three winters of experimentation, this is the rest of the story. We will give our take on what works, what is too risky, and what you might be able to get away with some of the time.

Learning Objectives

• Explain the moisture risks inherent in unvented/compact roof assemblies with fibrous (air‐permeable) insulation
• Define the roles that vapor diffusion and air leakage have on moisture levels in roofs
• Explain the role that a vapor diffusion vent can have in ameliorating roof moisture risks
• Describe the risks of inward vapor drive in unvented roof assemblies

This course was originally presented at BuildingEnergy Boston 2020, a conference presented by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA).