Metal is actually one of the best roofing types when it comes to preventing condensation and mold. This is due to its natural ability to wick away rain water and moisture, unlike other materials that are more prone to absorption. However, If your home is not properly insulated, then any roof, metal or otherwise, may develop condensation. Over time, this condensation buildup can result in mold.
What is condensation?
To understand how to prevent condensation and mold, we first need to take a look at condensation and what causes it. The air is full of water vapor. This gaseous form of water floats around the atmosphere and will only turn into liquid and build up if the temperature drops. If water vapor comes across a cold surface, it will turn into liquid and will stay on that surface. When you open your curtains on a winter’s day, this is why you will often see lots of water on your window panes. As the water comes into contact with a cold window it will stick.
The good news from a roof perspective is that your metal roof will not absorb moisture like other materials might, and this means that the metal itself will not develop internal mold.
How to prevent mold
It is important to reiterate that metal roofs themselves do not cause mold in your home. It is simply a case of proper installation and insulation. When installed correctly, a metal roof will be able to protect your home for many years and will provide the perfect barrier against the elements.
So how do we prevent condensation and mold? There are a few different things you can do to prevent mold forming on your roof and in your home. The first of those is to invest in a moisture barrier. A moisture barrier will go between your roof and the air, meaning that condensation will not form in the home. By having a small crawl space between the ceiling and roof, you will allow air through and this will ventilate the roof and prevent moist conditions from forming.
Venting is another way to bring less moisture through your home. If you already have a loft or an attic but it still seems to be damp in the space, this is likely due to a lack of proper ventilation around the house. Now is the ideal time for you to consider installing some vents in the attic which will direct air in and out of the home to ensure it does not become stale and stagnant.
The final way you can consider protecting your roof from mold is to install a moisture-resistant underlay in the home. Underlay will prevent water from accumulating in your roof and causing issues for your home. Underlay can be made of felt or material and will give that extra layer of protection against both condensation and mold in the home. Polypropylene is another common material used for your roof underlay and it will be a durable solution to keep your roof nice and protected.