When was the last time you thought about your attic space? Was it when you had to run up there to grab holiday decorations or the last time you heard the pitter-patter of a mouse or a squirrel?
Either way, it is common to overlook your attic space on a daily basis. Your attic exists in your home without much thought, but it actually has a very important job. Your attic space and insulation, in particular, keep your home comfortable and safe.
It also protects and extends the longevity of your roof. Let’s dig into more about the relationship between attic insulation and your roof below.
As the air in your home warms up, it naturally rises to the highest point in your home. For most homeowners, that means the attic space. Attics are often most used for storing forgotten boxes and clutter, but they are actually designed to help facilitate air movement.
Once this warmer air makes it into your attic, attic fans and ventilation help pull this air out and replaces it with cooler, drier air. During a typical air circulation process, it keeps hot air from spreading back down into the lower levels of your house.
This is especially important during the summertime when you want to focus on keeping your rooms cool.
If your attic is properly insulated, it works hard day in and day out to keep this process functioning smoothly. During the summer, your insulation focuses on keeping the cool air in while filtering the hot air out. In the winter, it traps and circulates heat in your home to prevent it from escaping too fast.
Without the right insulation in your attic space, your air will flow too freely throughout your house. Hot air will rise and escape too quickly in the winter, and in the summer, cool air from your air conditioner will leak out of your home as soon as it is produced.
Your insulation does more than just protect your home and your family’s comfort. It also protects your roof from experiencing accelerated damage. While it is true that your roof and other home materials are designed to withstand the cold winters and hot summers, they can wear down over time if your home isn’t insulated the right way.
As the heat rises in your home, it should be circulated out and replaced by your passive ventilation and your HVAC system. This process, paired with proper attic insulation, prevents heat from building up along your roof line.
Without it, the temperature in your attic can become sweltering. It’s common for underinsulated attics to reach temperatures of 150 degrees! That excessive heat will start to damage your roof and your shingles from the inside out.
As your shingles start to bake and crumble from the constant heat, your roof becomes more vulnerable to leaks. Cracks and gaps that form will invite rain into your attic space, which will cause even more issues for your roof. Over time, a hot attic that struggles with moisture issues will result in swollen wood, warped joists, and even mold infestations.
Rot can even become a concern. As this problem progresses, your roof can start to sag or even become a safety hazard.
All of this trouble can circle back to a lack of insulation.
If you are looking to remedy any issues with your attic insulation, the best thing to do is to leave the installation to the professionals. You may think that simply grabbing a roll of batt insulation from a home improvement store and installing it yourself is enough, but you could be setting yourself up for more problems down the road.
Attic insulation needs to be the right thickness and the right material to work properly. If you have too much insulation, it can lead to ventilation issues as well as lingering moisture problems. The wrong material can also inhibit proper airflow and can lead to similar issues, which will eventually impact your roof and lead to structural damage..
The good news is that an insulation contractor knows exactly what type of insulation your attic needs to function smoothly.
Batt insulation is the classic insulation that most people think of when it comes to insulation materials. It comes pre-cut in long sheets and is easy to install between exposed wall studs or open floor joists.
However, batt insulation comes in varying R-values, which is an industry term that determines its effectiveness at controlling heat transfer. An insulation professional will help you choose the right R-value for your home and our climate.
Blown-in insulation is a loose-fill insulation material. It is often made up of fiberglass or cellulose fibers, and it stays as a loose material instead of being turned into sheets or another form of insulation.
It is blown directly onto your attic floor or can be added inside your walls if they have drywall or are already finished. This type of insulation is great for attic spaces because the tiny fibers can fill up the smallest cracks and crevices in your attic. This reduces the risk of water leaks and pests year-round.
Blown-in insulation is a loose-fill insulation material. It is often made up of fiberglass or cellulose fibers, and it stays as a loose material instead of being turned into sheets or another form of insulation.
It is blown directly onto your attic floor or can be added inside your walls if they have drywall or are already finished. This type of insulation is great for attic spaces because the tiny fibers can fill up the smallest cracks and crevices in your attic. This reduces the risk of water leaks and pests year-round.
So you have decided that it’s time to invest in the health of your attic and your roof! Make the call to the team at Master Attic for all of your attic insulation needs. An initial evaluation will determine where your attic needs an insulation boost, and our talented contractors will help you choose the right insulation material for your budget and your home..
We will even handle any insulation removal needs you have to ensure you only have the freshest, most reliable insulation in your attic space.
Let us help you protect your attic and your roof! Contact the team at Master Attic today at (800) 285-4009 for a free evaluation and to schedule your insulation upgrade.
Best Cold Weather Insulation Tips When the cold weather comes to town, many of us head inside to the comfort and warmth of our homes
Does Adding More Insulation to Attics Help Keep Them Cool? Your attic plays a major role in the comfort of your home, even if you
New Jersey’s Rodent Problems: What You Need to Know If there’s anything to worry about in New Jersey as a homeowner, it’s rodents. Mice, raccoons,
