Roof Sarking

About Roof Sarking

Performance, as well as reliability of roof framing and lining, is heavily dependent on proper insulation. Roof sarking is a flexible membrane that serves that exact purpose, fitted underneath the exterior roofing material. Its primary role is to reduce issues that come with excessive condensation, water vapour, and moisture before they provoke some severe and costly issues in the roof structure. 

Roof sarking is typically made from non-permeable material with or without a layer of reflective foil. It comes in the form of a large blue or green sheet that helps to reflect heat and promote insulation while keeping external moisture and contaminants out. 

Advantages of Roof Sarking

Reduced Moisture Levels

Preventing unwanted moisture, vapour and - subsequently -mould, is the crucial feature of roof sarking. It stands as a barrier to everything that might find its way below the roof tiles and shingles.  

Protection Against Elements

This feature is exceptionally convenient in areas with extreme weather conditions. Roof sarking can protect the structure from ash, smoke, ash, hail and other flying debris. In urban areas, it serves as an additional barrier against dust and other contaminants.

Fire Protection

As a secondary layer of protection, these versatile membranes can retain flying embers from entering the structure through the roof. In fact, they are a mandatory feature in all homes built in a bushfire prone area.

Ease of Installation 

Roof sarking is pretty straightforward to install in an early building phase. That way, it can help to protect the structure below while the rest of the roof is installed.

Promoting Energy Efficiency

Reflective surface keeps heat away, reducing its flow through the roof. A combination of roof sarking and other insulation features can significantly improve the building’s energy efficiency levels. Reducing the emission helps the planet while also significantly reducing energy bills.

Types of Roof Sarking

The main functional objective of sarking is to protect the structures from rain and elements. However, different types of sarking are available, each with its own set of special secondary features, such as hail protection, or additional thermal insulation.

The right choice of roof sarking heavily depends on the climate region and type of construction. Other factors to consider are the amount of ceiling insulation and roofing blanket type that would be used.  

All roof sarking models should be able to control the condensation both outside and inside. Still, choosing membranes according to climate conditions is critical for the energy efficiency of a home. In addition, it provides long term family health benefits.

• Hot summers with a lot of humidity: Non-permeable roof sarking and foil-faced roofing blankets are the ideal solutions for this case. They require lapping and taping of joints and penetrations to achieve a proper vapour seal for condensation control.
• Warm summer with relative humidity: Non-permeable roof sarking in combination with foil-faced roofing blanket will do the task.
• Dry, hot summer followed by mild winter: Most insulation levels required in this case will be met if installing non-permeable roof sarking and foil-faced roofing blanket.
• Hot summer, average winter: Again, the non-permeable roof sharking with a foil-faced blanket will suffice. 
• Relatively warm summer followed by cold winter: Here, the requirements are starting to change. For low levels of ceiling insulation, a non-permeable roof sarking and foil faced building blanket is enough. However, vapour permeable roof sarking is strongly recommended for use at higher levels of ceiling insulation.
• Mild summer with very cold winter: Vapour permeable roof sarking is necessary for all applications with ceiling insulation. Other solutions may be used if combined with ceiling batts. 

When to Install Roof Sarking

The easiest time for installation is during the construction itself, or when a roof is being replaced. That way, the structure below will not remain unprotected during the process.  

Things to Consider Before Buying 

Roof sarking panels can sometimes be used as a double in place of a roof underlay. However, it’s best to engage such features in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines. 

Even though installing sarking is not strictly compulsory, it’s highly recommended. The system can prevent and avoid a large number of future problems.

Sarking protects the structure during roof installation, refurbishing, or remodelling processes. 

If you need assistance to find the right roof sarking for your home or office, ArchiPro provides a connection to the various professionals, ready to assist with all requirements and questions. Simply click "Contact supplier" on the product's page, or visit the supplier's website directly from the product's page.