DuPont™ Tyvek® Alternative to Traditional Roof Ventilation


Tyvek_Supro_and Supro Plus Rolls - Copy

 

 

An Energy Efficient Alternative to Traditional Roof Ventilation

 

Traditional roof ventilation, although recommended for reducing condensation, can lead to a loss of energy efficiency in the building structure. This is why DuPont™ Tyvek® recommends a non-ventilated but sealed alternative to traditional roof ventilation that not only reduces heat losses, cutting harmful COand improving energy efficiency, but also prevents condensation.

Uncontrolled air exchange is the biggest contributor to heat losses today, and we must take a fresh look at the building fabric and the various ways in which energy is transferred – not only via heat conduction through materials, but also the effects of heat exchange via radiation and via convection through joints, gaps, cracks and penetrations.

 

Air Leakage Vs Ventilation

It is essential to differentiate between air leakage and ventilation. Nearly half of all heat lost from the average home is a result of uncontrolled air leakage through gaps in the structure. Air leakage happens where the building has not been properly sealed so air “escapes” from the building interior. This is distinctly different from natural ventilation through vents designed as part of the building structure – such as windows and ventilators – that can be controlled by occupants. However, both combating air leakage and providing effective ventilation require a suitably airtight building.

 

Eliminating Uncontrolled Air Leakage

An energy efficient roof is a good starting point, as the roof is almost always the main source of air and energy leakage because of its large exposed surface area, orientation and relatively low mass structure. But despite the need to reduce air leakage, many still insist on using traditional roof ventilation as a way of controlling condensation. Roof vents waste a lot of heat by convection, from the loft and also from the heated living space beneath. In addition, introducing cold external air into roofs:

  • Reduces the effectiveness of the building envelope
  • Promotes warm air leakage from the building into the roof space
  • Increases air infiltration into the heated building
  • Introduces dirt, dust and insects into the roof construction
  • Introduces external moisture laden air into the construction

The best way to eliminate uncontrolled air leakage is to form a sealed building envelope that consists of an airtight internal layer such as DuPont™ AirGuard® air and vapour control layers (AVCLs) and a breathable but watertight external membrane like DuPont™ Tyvek® breathable membranes.

 

Non-Ventilated Roofs Are More Efficient

Tests by the BRE using real houses show a non-ventilated roof system is four times more efficient than a traditional ventilated system.  An integrated vapour control/air barrier layer on the warm side of the insulation improves performance of the product. This is where DuPont™ Tyvek®breather membrane products and DuPont™ AirGuard® AVCL products come into their own.

The airtight and watertight qualities of DuPont™ Tyvek® membranes means they prevent interstitial condensation and improve energy efficiency therefore saving money and reducing COemissions.

 

 

Tyvek® Supro and Tyvek® Supro Plus

Tyvek® Supro is a durable, water resistant membrane that is reinforced with a laminated polypropylene nonwoven. This airtight, vapour-permeable membrane is extremely water-resistant, and it is suitable for all supported and unsupported pitched roofs. It does not need any soffit, tile or ridge ventilation, which can save time as well as money in the construction process.

Tyvek® Supro Plus offers the same benefits, plus an integral adhesive lap tape designed for use in the Tyvek® sealed roof system. Sealing all horizontal laps contributes to the system’s thermal efficiency by reducing air infiltration.

 

Temperature and UV-Resistant

Tyvek® Supro and Tyvek® Supro Plus water resistant membrane products are designed to withstand prolonged UV radiation as well as high temperatures, and come with full BBA and IAB approval for use in all pitched roof constructions.

 

 

tyvek-image-traditional vs. tyvek supro
Traditional Ventilation vs. Tyvek Supro

 

 

Key Benefitsof DuPontTM  Tyvek® Supro / Supro Plus
  • Extremely water resistant
  • Airtight
  • Vapour-permeable
  • Offers superior air and moisture management for commercial and residential buildings
  • Durable resistance to prolonged UV radiation and high temperatures

 


Key Properties of DuPontTM  Tyvek® Supro / Supro Plus
  • Style name: 2507B
  • Composition: Composite of high density polyethylene, polypropylene
  • Roll size: 1.5m x 50m
  • Roll weight: 12kg
  • Mass per unit area: 145g/m2
  • UV exposure: 4 months
  • Product / functional layer thickness: 450 / 175µm
  • Water vapour transmission (Sd): 0.20m
  • BBA certificate: 08/4548
  • CE Marking: Yes
  • IAB certificate: 04/0157

 

 

Source: DuPont Tyvek

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