Insulation is an important part of any roofing system. It helps reduce thermal transfer between indoor and outdoor spaces, which contributes to indoor comfort, energy savings and prolonged service lives of your roof and HVAC system. In this blog post, US Roofing takes a look at the importance of a well-insulated attic.
What Is Attic Insulation?
Attic insulation is the material that is used to create a barrier in the attic, which helps slow down thermal transfer between indoor and outdoor spaces. The attic floor is typically insulated if the attic is not used as a living area or just for storage. However, the underside of the roof decking can also be insulated to supplement the attic floor insulation, or if the attic is converted to a living space.
Insulation is sold in a variety of materials, and installed in different ways. The most common is wool blankets made of fiberglass, which comes in batts or rolls. It can be used to fill cavities under the attic floorboards or shredded and loosely-laid on the attic floor. Cellulose pulp is made from recycled paper, and is typically applied wet under roof decking. Expanding foam is made from two materials, isocyanate and polyol resin, and the interaction between the two results in expansion that fills gaps, ideal for areas in the attic where other types of insulation won’t fit.
The Benefits of Having Good Attic Insulation
Proper insulation offers several benefits, including:
- Lower energy bills. Attic insulation helps reduce heat gain during hot seasons and heat loss during cold seasons, which results in energy savings from lower heating and cooling requirements.
- No ice dams. Ice dams are formed when melted snow on the roof refreezes at the roof’s edge and forms a dam-like barrier that later causes water to infiltrate the roof. Heat from the attic causes the snow to melt in the first place, which can be prevented with proper insulation. It also makes roof snow removal easier as there would be less risk of damage and injury from frozen ice at the roof’s edge.
- Improved comfort. Good attic insulation can also help keep your home more comfortable by helping maintain consistent indoor temperatures.
How to Choose the Right Type of Attic Insulation for Your Roofing
When choosing the type of insulation for your roofing, the following are some of the things to keep in mind:
- Type of roof decking. Wet types of insulation like cellulose and expanding foam are typically installed under the roof deck, which is usually made using plywood or OSB. However, tongue-and-groove decking, which also functions as the ceiling, are not suitable for this application.
- Finished vs. unfinished attic. Insulation is typically installed under the attic floorboards in unfinished attics, while roof insulation is needed if the attic is converted to a living area.
Our roofers at US Roofing can help you choose the right type of insulation for your roof. We also provide 24-hr emergency roof repair as well as other roofing services. For more information on our services, contact US Roofing today at (978) 532-6300.
