Insulation Batt Having Integral Baffle Vent

Abstract

A baffled insulation product and a method for insulating and ventilating a space between rafters for supporting a roof includes, an elongated insulation mat having an integral baffle, at least one channel on a roof facing side of the baffle for passage of ventilating air, and at least one vapor permeable membrane covering at least a portion of the insulation mat facing the channel, wherein each vapor permeable membrane transmits water vapor emanating from the insulation mat.

1 . A baffled insulation product for insulating and ventilating a space between rafters, said rafters being used for supporting a roof, comprising: 
 an elongated insulation mat having an integral baffle;    at least one channel on a roof facing side of the baffle for passage of ventilating air; and    at least one water vapor permeable membrane covering at least a portion of the insulation mat facing the channel, wherein said water vapor permeable membrane permits a transmission of water vapor emanating from the insulation mat into said channel.    
   
   
       2 . The insulation product of  claim 1 , wherein the insulation mat comprises, a foam, a fibrous web or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The insulation product of  claim 1 , wherein the vapor permeable membrane is substantially impervious to liquid water to prevent ambient condensate from seeping into  
   
   
       4 . The insulation product of  claim 1 , wherein the vapor permeability of the water vapor permeable membrane increases with increases in the relative humidity inside the insulation mat.  
   
   
       5 . The insulation product of  claim 1 , wherein the baffle is between wings of the insulation mat.  
   
   
       6 . The insulation product of  claim 1 , wherein the water vapor permeable membrane covers a perforated area of the baffle.  
   
   
       7 . The insulation product of  claim 1 , wherein the baffle is attached to the insulation mat and the water vapor permeable membrane.  
   
   
       8 . The insulation product of  claim 1 , wherein the vapor permeable membrane is located between the insulation mat and the channel.  
   
   
       9 . The insulation product of  claim 1  wherein, 
 the baffle has a perforated area, the vapor permeable membrane covers the perforated area, and the vapor permeable membrane is located on, either the baffle, or the insulation mat.    
   
   
       10 . The insulation product of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a water vapor retarder on a bottom major surface of the insulation; and    the water vapor permeable membrane transmits water vapor due to excess moisture build up in the insulation mat behind the vapor retarder.    
   
   
       11 . The insulation product of  claim 1 , further comprising: a separator extending through the insulation and the baffle for separating the insulation product into pieces.  
   
   
       12 . The insulation product of  claim 1 , wherein the baffle is adapted for the passage of the ventilating air by comprising; a least one open channel, or a corrugated channel having a plurality of open channels, or a porous channel comprised of, a matting or ventilation mesh.  
   
   
       13 . The insulation product of  claim 1 , wherein the baffle comprises, a corrugated channel having a plurality of open channels for the passage of the ventilating air.  
   
   
       14 . The insulation product of  claim 1 , wherein the baffle comprises, a least one open channel for the passage of the ventilating air.  
   
   
       15 . The insulation product of  claim 1 , wherein the baffle comprises, a porous channel comprised of, a matting or ventilation mesh, for the passage of the ventilating air.  
   
   
       16 . A method of insulating and ventilating a space between rafters for supporting a roof, comprising: 
 (a) assembling an insulation product with an insulation mat integral with a baffle having at least one open channel extending the length of the insulation mat, and a water vapor permeable membrane covering at least a portion of the insulation mat that faces toward the baffle; and    (b) installing the insulation product in a space between adjacent rafters for supporting a roof of a building, with the channel facing toward an under surface of the roof for passage of ventilating air along the space between the adjacent rafters, and with the permeable membrane allowing for the transmission of water vapor emanating from the insulation mat and into the channel.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 covering the insulation mat with the vapor permeable membrane to repel water from seeping into the insulation mat.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 installing the insulation product in a space between the adjacent rafters that are supported above a top plate of an exterior wall of a building, with the channel extending to a space above a ventilated soffit or eave of the roof and along the space between the adjacent rafters, such that, the channel maintains a passage for ventilating air to flow from the ventilated soffit or eave, over the top plate, and along the space between the adjacent rafters.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 assembling the baffle in between wings of the insulation material.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 installing an interior room ceiling on the rafters, wherein the ceiling comprises, gypsum board or nailboard or paneling.