tren
Member
Hey everyone,
New user here - wondering if people have suggestions about how to keep a room with a skillion roof cooler in summer? Rest of the house has good earthwool insulation and is 5-10 degrees cooler than the room with the skillion roof. Maybe paint the roof white? I was also thinking of laying a heap of wooden pallets flat across it and then covering with something like astroturf. Would this give some protection?
Cheers,
Tren
your concept of overlaying something above the skillion roof could work , BUT you would need to know the load bearing capcity of the existing roof (rafters, beams, etc ..size ,spacing and span ) before applying additional loads to it. this would be the first thing to check. shading the roof somehow and reducing the temperature of the roof cladding will help .
Annette
Member
Also, need to fix down securely and ensure the water tightness of the roof isn't compromised. If you used wooden pallets, make sure they are treated pine as they won't last long otherwise.
You don't mention budget?
I would suggest using a shadecloth 'skin' suspended above the roof on battens or similar. I read about 'flyover' roofs like this being used in places like Alice Springs to reduce temperature. Would like to use this on my skill ion roof, someday...
If the area isn't too large or awkward, you could also install an independent shade sail over the roof on poles. This requires a Council permit though and could be pricey.
tren
Member
Thanks for the replies! Haven't thought too much about a budget, I was more interested in what techniques were available before trying to figure out how much each one would cost.
The roof is fairly easy to access, it's just off my decking. I'm not sure how to figure out the load bearing capacity, do I need to go back to original drawings? The area of the house was an extension in the 80s, pretty sure it's not up to code.
That's a good idea about the shade sail - I imagine I'd need to really secure it otherwise it could act as a kite being so high up.
original drawings may not indicate "as built specs ". yes shade cloth suspended above may help .. especially as it may be completely independent of the existing roof structure.
But yes ,tie down and fixings all vital .
budget needs to be considered early on.. lots of otherwise great ideas never happen due to being more than budget permits .
Annette
Member
If there is a record of the extension at Council (permit) , it will have been built to the specs of the day. Would you be DIYing or getting someone in to do the work for you?
You could also create a frame using extenda brackets or similar to hold a frame over which to drape shadecloth. Extenda brackets are very strong ( used to attach verandah roofs that are raised above the roofline) but need to be properly fixed to the structure.
Also, if there is no insulation in the ceiling space, then inserting insulation by removing the roof sheets will help.
A white roof would also help.
tren
Member
Benny - the roof is flush, it also has downlights. I think there's a few inches between the ceiling and the tin roofing.
Annette - yep, we have the record of the extension, problem is the builder must have cut corners and didn't follow the plans. The roof beams are too far apart to meet council regulation. Most likely I'd get someone to do the work, but I'm happy to have a crack if it's not super complicated.
very common for houses to be built NOT as specified, hence my comment "as built specs".
Annette
Member
dave lawrence said:
very common for houses to be built NOT as specified, hence my comment "as built specs".
Hi Dave
I agree with you about the lack of 'as built' notations on plans lodged with Council.
My comment was related to thinking that if a permit was granted, that the required inspections (e.g. Framing etc) would have ensured that the build wasn't 'dodgy' - a word Tren had mentioned in an earlier post- even if the 'as built' differs from the plans. This goes to structural soundness.
However, I notice that Tren has mentioned that the roof is not up to regs ( assume Tren means requirements of the time it was built, rather than current) so that does sound dodgy.
Morbo
Member
the treated pine twists and cracks already. Can make photos.
The last two sentences: Measurments/estimates. Got shale grey, its already way hotter than wite. But still, anticon and another layer of foil will get it doen to ambient. So complete white will skim at least 5 deg off, same as the additional sarking I got. Just get a sample of the brightest colour at your local colourbond mob, stick iy into the sun, measure the surface temperature.
Reg 80s roof, wait until you see, whats legal now. Roof trusses from 70x35 and 600 odd spans....
twinrock
Member
Hi my entire house is skillion and because I chose to have the big timber rafters exposed it ment very lil layer between us and the full sun.. basically..tin insulation blanket then gyprock..prob 50mm In total !! What I did is build an additional roof..I made up frames/trusses 1.4 wide 300mm high pinned them into the high side of the iron then into the hardwood battens in my existing roof ithen pinned the roofing iron to the top of the frames but left a gap of about 200mm then did the same again.the gap was to help. Break up any up draft from wind and also give access But not take away too much of the shade.I also left the sheets short of the existing roof ...essentially a but shade roof over my house..this has made a massive improvement with a drop of 7 deg average Inside the house..however thix has worked in my situation..I have a good knowledge of construction "do not" under estimate the power and force that wind can provide.. if u need pics of what worked for me let me know..it was all very cheap..but time consumimg good luck
jasper81
Member
Hi. I'm new to the forum and wondering whether anyone can help me in relation to a relatively flat skillion roof on a back sunroom north facing. I'm looking to replace the existing skillion roof and guttering with new product but I'm keen to understand how I can minimise heat as the room gets quite hot in summer and cold in winter. I have very little space between skillion and ceiling. Would appreciate views on my options including SIPs. I am also looking to replace regular glass sliding doors with double glazing hoping this will help.
thanks
Benny
Member
Its all in the colour of the outside surface (ie white) and R value of insulation - at least R4 - then its a matter of what you like the look of, price, speed of build etc. SIPs certainly look attractive in this context.
If you're considering double glazing you obviously have quite a high budget (-; but much more important is shading that glass door. Far more heat comes in from radiation if its not shaded than from conduction - unless you regularly have 40-50C outside ? Even vertical shading is useful due to diffuse radiation and reflections from the outside floor. Outside blinds etc - NOT inside.
jasper81
Member
thanks Benny. Definitely looking at white for colorbond roofing. I am interested in SIPs but have no real feedback on their effectiveness to R value cited in their specs. Eg. Ritek, Versiclad, Bondor etc. Also, have no prices on these products as yet and want to be fairly sure it will work.
I'm located in Melbourne so definitely not quite 40+C !! Have been reading up on slats to maximise winter and minimise summer sun. Seems to make a lot of sense and relatively straightforward to calculate. Glass doors lead to decking. May consider the vertical option too.
scott drew
Member
Jasper, do you need to replace the roof? If there is no reason to remove the old stuff, is it possible to build the new over the top? That way you get insulation currently in place (even if it is only a tiny R value) + insulation of the new bit + a bonus air gap between the old and new.
jasper81
Member
Hi Scott the old corrugated skillion has seen better days and I'm not sure what is underneath but there really is not much space between ceiling and existing roof. There may not even be any insulation. Hence looking at options including SIPs or just inserting insulation over existing ceiling and reflective foil with an air gap before replacing with new roof.
The skillion sits slightly below the rest of the house's tiled roof if that makes sense and that is fairly tight on space from a height perspective so not sure I could go over top of existing roof.
