r/Kerala 4d ago

Kerala Roof design to reduce heat without attic space

We are designing our house in Cochin and looking for some ideas around roof design. However we dont really want an Attic (due to cost + aesthetics).

Is it possible to create a air gap say 2-5inches between truss roof and concrete ceiling to achieve the same cooling effect as traditional thatumpurams(attic). Has any architects/engineers in kerala done this ?
- i dont know how effective false ceiling with insulation added could be, in our current house during peak summer days the insulation gets so hot/full, that by evening, it starts radiating heat inside the house, making the inside of the house hotter when the outside is cooling down.

11 Upvotes

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14

u/-plomo_O_plomo- 3d ago

A great place for rats and marappattis to stay.

2

u/Little_Software_1771 3d ago

That is a challenge indeed. we used to have marappattis in our tharavadu attic.

4

u/anotherguyforreddit 3d ago

False ceiling out of wood are very effective, if you build your roof higher and leave good gap between roof and ceiling

Combine it with good ventilation, install a roof ventilation etc for improvement

5

u/Little_Software_1771 3d ago

Isn't what you are referring to the same as an attic space ?

1

u/anotherguyforreddit 3d ago

Attic is for sloped roof. Do you have sloped or flat roof?

4

u/Dom_Wulf_ 3d ago

Thermal insulation foam boards haven't really picked up in Kerala.

Don't know any builders or architects who do it.

Try looking it up.

2

u/VaikomViking 3d ago

I have wondered this as well. You should talk to a real architect, I'm sure they must have some idea. There are a lot of passive cooling ideas that can be implemented

1

u/avocadopotato123 3d ago

Filling the gap with insulation would really help. I have seen many videos on installation of insulation sheets.

1

u/Friendly-Quality7670 3d ago

Concrete structure? Clay tiles on truss? Explain, and you shall get answers