What is the Importance of Attic Insulation?

According to the Department of Energy, attic insulation results in 10% to 50% savings in the cost of heating and cooling a home. How much savings you get will depend on a range of factors. It is also good to note that attic insulation is not all about heating. Proper insulation prolongs the life of your roof by preventing condensation and ice dams. You must, however, not over-insulate as doing so can heat the shingles and shorten their lifespan. This is more so if the roof lacks proper airflow.

How does attic insulation benefit the roof?

• Prevents Ice Dams

The heat from the house escapes into the attic. In winter, the shingles under the attic are warmer and cause the snow on them to melt. The meltwater finds its way to the eaves which are colder and refreezes. This is what is known as an ice dam. Ice dams increase the risk of leaks and damaged gutters. Proper insulation helps prevent this problem.

• Prevents Interstitial Condensation

Interstitial condensation takes place between layers of the roof. It takes place when cool and warm air meets and creates condensation/water droplets. The droplets can buildup and damage the roof materials. Adequate attic insulation prevents heat transfers through the roof and thus prevents the risk of interstitial condensation.

• Prolongs the Life of Shingles

Proper insulation ensures there is no interstitial condensation and no ice dams. This helps extend the life of the roof.

• Prevents Gutter Damage

Lack of adequate insulation causes dramatic temperature changes on the roof. The roof expands and contracts rapidly. This can cause gutters to shift or loosen over time.

In addition to prolonging the life of the roof, adequate attic insulation will benefit you in several ways:

• Make it easier to heat and cool the house
• Less strain on the HVAC causes it to last longer
• More consistent temperatures in the house
• Helps with soundproofing

Types of Attic Insulation

Now that you understand the importance of attic insulation, the next step is to pick the right type of insulation. There are two main options to pick from.

• Loose-fill

This is also referred to as blown-in insulation. It is made using tiny particles that are blown into the attic cavities. Loose-fill can be made of mineral wool, cellulose or fiberglass. It is ideal when there are many small holes in the area that need to be insulated.

• Batts and Rolls

These are also known as blanket insulation. The insulation is made from plastic fibers, natural fibers, fiberglass, or mineral wool. Fiberglass is the most common option for the attic. Batts and Rolls may have vapor and air barriers to prevent condensation and make it easier to fasten insulation in the attic.

Each type of insulation has an R-value. This is the measure of how much heat the material can prevent from passing through per inch. The higher the R-value is, the better. The Department of Energy recommends more than R-30 rating in attic insulation.

There are so many considerations to be made when getting ready for attic insulation. To get the best results, you need to enlist the help of professionals. For FREE INSPECTION call (905) 387-3000 Roofing Experts D’Angelo and Sons. Contractors you can trust to repair your roofing repair.