Hygrothermal Performance of Insulated, Sloped, Wood-Framed Roof Assemblies

• Main Author: Schumacher, Christopher James
• Language: en
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: roof assemblies; hygrothermal performance; unvented roofs; ventilated attics; sloped roofs; wood-framed roofs; Civil Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10012/3748

Roofs are the single enclosure element common to artificial shelters constructed by all cultures in all climate regions. The hygrothermal performance of insulated, sloped, wood-framed roof assemblies has long been of interest to building scientists and building codes alike. Requirements for the ventilation of roof assemblies have been included in building codes for more than 50 years, however moisture problems still occur. Unvented roof assemblies have been suggested as an alternate and potentially superior solution. While unvented roofs have become relatively common in the warmer southern climates of North America, some technical issues remain unclear and the need exists for further study and demonstration of the hygrothermal performance of both ventilated and unvented roof assemblies in cold northern climates. This thesis seeks to address these issues through a review of existing literature, experience and industry practice, field investigation and measurement, analytical calculation and computer simulations.