Join the MRA | Member Login
Find a Professional
  • Why Metal Roofing?
    • About MRA
    • Benefits of Metal Roofing
    • Compare Roofing Materials
    • Homeowner Testimonials
    • Inspiring Metal Roofing Projects
  • Homeowner Resources
    • Metal Roofing Buyers Guide
    • Resilient Housing Guide
    • Metal Roof Sustainability Guide
    • Above All Else You Need a New Roof eBook
    • MRA News
    • Member Provided Resources
    • 3rd Party Articles
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Preparing for Hurricane Season
  • Gallery
  • Visualizer
  • Ask The Experts
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Existing Metal Roof Questions
    • Installation
    • Is A Metal Roof Right For My House
    • Metal Roofing Benefits
    • Product Selection
    • Other
    • Archive
  • Find a Professional
Join the MRA Member Login
Sign Up Log In Add New Topic

TOPIC: I Have An Existing Metal Roof and Have A Question

Condensation dripping through ceiling

Return to I Have An Existing Metal Roof and Have A Question

Return to Forum

I have a small ( 16 feet by 24 feet) barn type metal building that I finished on the inside to live in with plans to build other rooms on to it in the future. I am living in it at this time. 2/3 of the building has a loft. This part has Styrofoam insulation attached to the rafters. The other 1/3 has a ceiling that follows the barn style lines. The roof is built on 2 x 6's. The roof is covered with a lightweight metal (not steel) that I believe to be called galvalume. The ceiling in the part that does not have a loft is covered in 1 x 10 boards with fiberglass batting between the boards and the metal. There is nothing else up there. My problem is that since I have started using space heaters water is starting to drip through the insulation and boards when the weather is cold and condensation or frost has formed outside. The roof does not leak when it rains. What is the best solution for this other than tearing the metal off and replacing it with a different type of roof? There is no ridge vent or any other type of attic ventilation. Since there is only six inches between the metal and the wood and it is filled with batting insulation, would a ridge vent help? I had a roofer to come out and look at it and his recommendation was to put what amounts to a new three part roof over the existing one. This would cost quite a bit of money. Is there any other option? Would ridge vents help? Would attaching foam sheets to the underside of the metal help?
ROSEMARY CAGLE

12/12/2014
Share
Or copy this URL: https://www.metalroofing.com/spirit/comment/20026/find/
Nothing is wrong with the roof. The issue with the condensation that is the result of the warm air migrating up around the unsealed insulation and kitting the cold underside of the metal roof. You need to address that air leakage around the insulation by any numbers of methods (i.e. spray foam, new insulation, rigid foam, etc.). If you decide to vent the roof, you will have to take down the insulation regardless. Eric Novotny
Eric Novotny
An informed customer is the Best Customer!

12/12/2014
Share
Or copy this URL: https://www.metalroofing.com/spirit/comment/20027/find/
Are you saying that if the roof is ventilated I shouldn't have the batting insulation there? Also I read somewhere that rigid Styrofoam could be installed on the underside of the roof between the rafters. The writer suggested keeping it in place with spray foam around the edges of the Styrofoam. Do you think that this is a adequate solution? Would there be a need for any type of roof ventilation if I did this? Thank you so much for your reply.
ROSEMARY CAGLE

12/12/2014
Share
Or copy this URL: https://www.metalroofing.com/spirit/comment/20028/find/
No. The roof is, in all likelihood, not vented, however, the insulation layer across the roof is not complete or air tight. Installing rigid foam in the rafters bays will work. Any insulation you install needs to be sealed so that inside air cannot reach the underside of the roof and for the resultant condensation. Eric Novotny
Eric Novotny
An informed customer is the Best Customer!

12/14/2014
Share
Or copy this URL: https://www.metalroofing.com/spirit/comment/20029/find/
Thank you.
ROSEMARY CAGLE

12/14/2014
Share
Or copy this URL: https://www.metalroofing.com/spirit/comment/20030/find/
I have a Steel framed house with a steel purlin roof system on 5' spacings. I built house with10'of insulation between purlins, and then 2'' over the top of purlins in opposite direction. Then have standing seam metal over this. house is 12 years old and I notice a small drip from my ceiling in one area of the house with cathedral ceilings. I am concerned that this has been going on for years without notice. How to determine a problem, as house is going to be for sale shorthly. Thanks Steve
Steven Swearingin

1/1/2015
Share
Or copy this URL: https://www.metalroofing.com/spirit/comment/20031/find/
Steve, What are the vapor control layers like? Is there drywall? Any vapor barrier? Eric Novotny
Eric Novotny
An informed customer is the Best Customer!

1/3/2015
Share
Or copy this URL: https://www.metalroofing.com/spirit/comment/20032/find/

If you would like to reply to this thread, please log in. If you do not have an Ask the Experts forum user account, create one here.

  • About the MRA
    • Member Companies
    • Leadership
    • MRA News
  • For Professionals
    • Join the MRA
    • Industry Resources
    • Upcoming Events
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
©2023 Metal Roofing Alliance. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions