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ice damming and new roof type

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Nicole Dawson
Nicole
1/22/2007
Our 2 story home which faces E/West at 8500ft in the mountains, with a fairly simple gabel style roof has had significant ice damming issues on the E facing side. (We have cathedral ceilings in the front (West side) of the home-the only portion of the roof that has soffit vents-that ice damming has not occured on.) Our insulation is good & ventilation is poor. We are adding additional ventilation (soffit vents & keeping existing ridge vents), however we are still afraid that this alone may not be enough of a change to prevent future ice damming from occuring & want to do everything we possibly can to prevent future interior leaks/dammage. (Especially since insurance is helping to replace our current shingle roof.) Questions: 1. We are considering two types of metal roofing: standing seam and stone covered steel tile type. Is one better than the other in reguards to ice damming? Why/why not? 2. We have been told that the stone covered steel roof can be installed on top of a vertical and horizontal batton support system (2 3/4 in height). Would this cool air space between the decking and the roof do anything to prevent ice damming? 3.We have 2/3 of the back roof that has overhang at the eavs and one middle bedroom that goes all the way out to the eav (no overhang), thus no room for a soffit vent. Is it possible to vent the siding on the vertical surface at this area below where the roof attatches to the siding? 4. Beyond Ice and Water shield (or a heavier product) and increased ventilation, is there anything else we can do? (We currently have heat cables and plenty of insulation in the attic). 5. We had heard about Dupont's Tyvek Attic Wrap... any thoughts? Help! (Would be happy to send photos if that would be helpful.) -Nicole
Allan Reid
Dura-Loc Roofing Systems, Inc.
1/25/2007
The building code calls for a minimum of 1" of vented air space over the insulation on a vaulted ceiling. A batten and counterbatten system is the easiest way to comply. Additionally tests at US DOE have shown that the air space will help reduce moisture in the cavity which then helps reduce ice damming. Still best and required to use ice and water shield at the eave and up the valleys.
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