Self ventilating roof system

Abstract

A self-ventilating roofing system that consists of a rigid deck that is connected to the roof support system and has a horizontal opening parallel to the eave, on both slopes, but above the attic space. There is also an opening on either side of the ridge. A radiant barrier comprising of a reflective coating is applied over the roof deck. A slice is made over the lower and upper opening of the deck to allow air to enter the lower opening and exit the upper opening. A panel with vertical grooves is installed over the radiant barrier with the groove side face down. This panel is made of a type of insulated material. A metal drip edge is then installed along the eave. This drip edge should be installed with an air gap between the facia and the drip edge sufficiently wide enough to allow air to enter. A vented ridge vent is then installed at the ridge to allow for the weather proof exit of the air. If a metal roof is being installed then the metal panels can be attached on top of the insulated panel. If an asphalt shingle or wood shake roof is being installed then a nailable panel must be installed over the insulated panel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A self ventilating roof system comprising:
 a) a roof structure comprising of: a deck having an upper surface and a lower surface that covers an open space below said roof structure, a vented eave located at the lower end of said deck, a vented ridge at the upper end of said deck, and roofing material covering the entire area of said deck from the vented eave to the vented ridge;   b) a reflective barrier comprising a membrane means that is substantially reflective on both sides, waterproof, and allows water vapor to pass through located on the upper surface of said deck and below said roofing material;   c) a thermal break comprising an insulated panel means of a R value greater than 1 with an upper surface and a lower surface with the lower surface adjacent to said reflective barrier and the upper surface adjacent the roofing material, said thermal break insulates said reflective barrier and said roof structure from external heat and cold; said thermal break extends from the vented eave to the vented ridge and includes means for passing self ventilating air through the self ventilating roof system from the vented eave to the vented ridge between said reflective barrier and the thermal break forming an air gap there between and a further ventilation means communicating between said means for passing self ventilating air through the self ventilating roof system and said open space below said roof structure.   
     
     
         13 . The self ventilating roof system of  claim 12 , wherein said reflective barrier is at least 95% reflective. 
     
     
         14 . The self ventilating roof system of  claim 12 , wherein said reflective barrier includes perforations throughout said reflective barrier;
 said perforations are small enough that water molecules cannot enter through the perforation thus making the reflective barrier waterproof;   said perforations, are large enough to allow water vapor to pass through thus allowing any trapped condensation to escape and be dried by the self ventilating air above the reflective barrier which reduces or removes the possibility of mold and mildew.   
     
     
         15 . The self ventilating roof system of  claim 12 , wherein said reflective barrier has a strong center fabric thus providing a strong membrane which can be walked on. 
     
     
         16 . The self ventilating roof system of  claim 12 , wherein said reflective barrier sandwiches a durable material that resists tearing and ripping when attached by standard roofing nails without significant pull out. 
     
     
         17 . The self ventilating roof system of  claim 12 , wherein said insulated panel comprises a rigid insulated material and said means for passing air is air channels in at least the lower surface of said insulated panel;
 b) said air channels facilitate the air movement to remove the hot air that has occurred due to the radiant heat exchange from the roofing material to the self ventilated air thus removing the hot air and bringing in cooler air through the eave, creating a constant and automatic ventilation through these grooves as hot air rises; and   c) said air channels in the insulating panel also dry any condensation that forms and passes through the perforations of the reflective barrier into the air channels and drying the condensation to prevent mold and mildew.   
     
     
         18 . The self ventilating roof system of  claim 17 , wherein said insulated panel comprises a rigid foam insulation panel with said air channels formed in the lower surface thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The self ventilating roof system of  claim 17 , wherein said further ventilation means connected to said means for passing self ventilating air through the self ventilating roof system and said open space below said roof structure comprises at least one gap in the central area of said deck and said reflective barrier through which air flows between the open space below the deck and said air channels, wherein this additional air introduced into the open space will rise and exit through the vented ridge and cools the air in the open space below the deck as well as the roof temperature. 
     
     
         20 . The self ventilating roof system of  claim 12 , wherein said roofing material consisting of one of the following: asphalt shingles, wood shakes, metal panels, clay tiles or concrete tiles. 
     
     
         21 . The self ventilating roof system of  claim 17 , wherein said air channels cover a substantial amount of both upper and lower surfaces of said insulated panel.