Editing Roof (section)

===Insulation===
Because the purpose of a roof is to secure people and their possessions from climatic elements, the insulating properties of a roof are a consideration in its structure and the choice of roofing material.

Some roofing materials, particularly those of natural fibrous material, such as thatch, have excellent insulating properties. For those that do not, extra [[Building insulation|insulation]] is often installed under the outer layer. In developed countries, the majority of dwellings have a [[ceiling]] installed under the structural members of the roof.  The purpose of a ceiling is to insulate against heat and cold, noise, dirt and often from the droppings and lice of birds who frequently choose roofs as nesting places.

Concrete tiles can be used as insulation. When installed leaving a space between the tiles and the roof surface, it can reduce heating caused by the sun.

Forms of insulation are felt or plastic sheeting, sometimes with a reflective surface, installed directly below the tiles or other material; synthetic foam batting laid above the ceiling and recycled paper products and other such materials that can be inserted or sprayed into roof cavities. [[Cool roof]]s are becoming increasingly popular,<ref name="10.3390/su13094665">{{cite journal |last1=Farhan |first1=Syed Ahmad |last2=Ismail |first2=Fouad Ismail |last3=Kiwan |first3=Osamah |last4=Shafiq |first4=Nasir |last5=Zain-Ahmed |first5=Azni |last6=Husna |first6=Nadzhratul |last7=Hamid |first7=Afif Izwan Abd |title=Effect of Roof Tile Colour on Heat Conduction Transfer, Roof-Top Surface Temperature and Cooling Load in Modern Residential Buildings under the Tropical Climate of Malaysia |journal=Sustainability |year=2021 |volume=13 |issue=9 |page=4665 |doi=10.3390/su13094665 |doi-access=free }}</ref> and in some cases are mandated by local codes.  Cool roofs are defined as roofs with both high [[reflectivity]] and high [[thermal emittance]].<ref name="10.3390/su13094665"/>

Poorly insulated and ventilated roofing can suffer from problems such as the formation of [[Ice dam (roof)|ice dams]] around the overhanging eaves in cold weather, causing water from melted snow on upper parts of the roof to penetrate the roofing material. Ice dams occur when heat escapes through the uppermost part of the roof, and the snow at those points melts, refreezing as it drips along the shingles, and collecting in the form of ice at the lower points. This can result in structural damage from stress, including the destruction of gutter and drainage systems.