Recticel PIR Insulation for Tapered Roofing Systems
Recticel PIR insulation for tapered roofs delivers consistent thermal performance and supports accurate, regulation-ready specifications.
Tapered PIR Insulation: The Smart Solution for Flat Roofs
Flat roofs have long been a challenge for building designers and contractors. The need for efficient drainage and thermal insulation often led to complex, time-consuming and costly solutions. Enter tapered PIR insulation - a game-changing solution in flat roof construction and renovation.
As building regulations continue to evolve and energy efficiency becomes increasingly important, tapered PIR insulation stands out as a forward-thinking solution. It not only meets current standards but also provides a foundation for future-proof building design.
What is Tapered PIR Insulation?
Tapered PIR insulation is designed specifically for flat roofs. It combines the thermal properties of PIR with a built-in slope, creating a dual-function product that provides both insulation and drainage in one package. Recticel's flat roofing tapered insulation division - Gradient - provides bespoke tapered insulation solutions, allowing virtually any fall to be created on either a new or existing roof.
The Benefits of Tapered PIR Insulation
1. Bespoke Designed Drainage
Gradient’s design team work closely with customers to advise, create and manufacture bespoke single-layer insulation solutions. These tailored systems ensure compliance with minimum fall requirements across a wide range of roof applications
2. Thermal Performance
PIR insulation boasts an impressive thermal conductivity (lambda value) as low as 0.022 W/mK, making it one of the most efficient insulation materials available. This performance allows for thinner insulation layers while still meeting stringent energy performance targets.
3. Cost Reductions
By combining insulation and roof falls into one single-layered system, tapered PIR significantly reduces material and labour costs.
4. Structural Load
Compared to traditional methods such as concrete screed, tapered PIR insulation is significantly lighter. This makes it an excellent choice for both new construction and retrofit projects where reducing structural load is important.
5. Installation Performance
Unlike screeds which needs time to cure, tapered PIR insulation can be installed immediately. This significantly reduces project timelines and eliminates the need for additional subcontractors.
Maximising Roof Efficiency with Single-Layer Tapered Insulation
Single-layer tapered insulation provides consistent thermal performance, reduces thermal bridging, and ensures effective roof drainage in one continuous layer. Fewer joints and layers mean faster installation, lower risk of errors, and improved long-term reliability for flat roofs.
Recticel's flat roofing tapered insulation division - Gradient - provides bespoke tapered insulation solutions, allowing virtually any fall to be created on either a new or existing roof. A Gradient tapered roof will:
- Improve thermal and acoustic performance
- Minimise ponding and roof loading
- Restrict build-up of rooftop debris
- Reduce the resulting maintenance costs
- Provide a longer, more effective working life
- Aid compliance with Building Regulations
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FAQs
Vacuum insulation
Can I use Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIP) in a tapered flat roof solution?
Yes, this is possible and recommended. We always advise a slope towards the outlets to ensure an adequate water drainage to avoid water stagnation on the roof.
There are generally two ways to approach this with Deck-VQ®:
- The fall is incorporated in the substrate (screed layer): in this case the Deck-VQ® boards will follow the existing fall.
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The fall is incorporated in the insulation layer: in this case Deck-VQ® can be combined with our tapered insulation* boards (Powerdeck® F or Eurothane® Eurodeck) on top. Our technical service with specialized tapered design service then provides an easy-to-use design for both insulation layers.
*Tapered insulation incorporates the slope over the length of the panel. Therefore, the panels can be installed on a flat surface, tightly jointed whilst resulting in a sloped top surface. Tapered insulation presents the ideal solution for a technically correct and thermally optimal build-up.
Contact our vacuum insulation specialist
Flat roof & terraces
Does Recticel offer a tapered insulation products?
Many flat roofing problems are attributed to ineffective rainwater run-off. This can cause deflection of the roof deck and 'ponding' of rainwater, and have a significant impact on the lifespan of the roof. Recticel's flat roofing tapered insulation division - Gradient - provides bespoke tapered insulation solutions, allowing virtually any fall to be created on either a new or existing roof. A Gradient tapered roof will:
- Improve thermal and acoustic performance
- Minimise ponding and roof loading
- Restrict build-up of rooftop debris
- Reduce the resulting maintenance costs
- Provide a longer, more effective working life
- Aid compliance with Building Regulations
In providing this service, Gradient will work out a detailed roof plan and calculate the exact number of boards required in advance. They work exclusively with Recticel to provide specialist PIR insulation solutions, but are not limited in their choice of materials and can produce specifications that include mineral wool, polystyrene and cork. This enables Gradient to deliver truly unique and bespoke solutions, utilising the best characteristics of all the insulation materials available in the UK today.