Buying a Metal Roof Part 5: Stress Skin “Sandwich” Panels

Buying a Metal Roof Part 5: Stress Skin “Sandwich” Panels

Increasingly, homes are built from stress skin panels, which consist of foam “sandwiched” between two layers of decking or outer decking and inner gypsum board. These panels can pose potential condensation issues because they often do not have any venting.

This goes against the International Building Code, which requires a 1″ vented airspace in the United States. One answer is to have a complete vapor barrier on the bottom side of the panels. Before proceeding with the installation of any roofing over stress skin panels, consult with panel manufacturers, roofing suppliers, and building officials as necessary to ensure that steps are being taken to avoid condensation issues.

In North Carolina, you can contact McCarthy Metal Roofing Systems for expert advice on avoiding condensation issues for your home.