Apply for the Melvin Kruger Scholarship Program by Jan. 30, 2025.

Water absorption of insulation in protected membrane roofing systems

To obtain a copy of a specific publication, users should contact the publication's publisher directly.

Abstract
Current methods for evaluating the moisture absorption of plastic insulations due to vapor pressure gradients or immersion rely on short time periods to predict long-term performance. This procedure may not provide accurate information on performance because in practice insulations may absorb more moisture than these tests indicate. A series of tests was conducted on extruded polystyrene roof insulation that had been in place, exposed to environmental moisture and pressure gradients, for a maximum of 36 months. Results indicate that moisture absorption of 1.5 percent by volume can be expected in the field.
Date
10/1976
Author(s)
David Schaefer
Page(s)
15
Keyword(s)
cold weather construction; insulation; water absorption; protected membrane


Note: Documents in this section are provided as Adobe Acrobat PDF files. In order to print and view PDF files, the Adobe Acrobat Reader software/plugin, which runs on Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, OS/2 and various versions of UNIX, must be installed on your computer. Adobe Acrobat Reader is available for download as freeware from Adobe Acrobat's website. Please note that the resolution of on-screen versions is not as high as printed versions of PDF files.

Advertisement

Subscribe for Updates Join 25,000+ roofing professionals following NRCA

Subscribe to NRCA