If you want to have a warm, efficient, climate-controlled home, your insulation plays an integral role. While all types of insulation are important, few of them are as important as your attic insulation. With inadequate attic insulation, your roof is in jeopardy of having issues, and your home is likely to be inefficient. If you want to know more about attic insulation, what type is best, and why it’s so important, you’ve come to the right place. 

Importance of Attic Insulation 

As with insulation in other parts of your home, attic insulation helps maintain climate and temperature control. Without attic insulation, your home will be cooler during winter and warmer during summer. This happens because warm air will escape your home during winter as the furnace is blasting. Additionally, the air inside your attic will be warmer during summer until it eventually drops into your home. 

The end result of both of these situations is that your HVAC system will be working in overdrive. It will also be harder for your home to maintain a consistent temperature and climate if you don’t have adequate attic insulation.  

Benefits of Proper Attic Insulation 

Now that you know how important attic insulation is, let’s look at some of the benefits of proper insulation. 

Ice Dam Prevention 

Ice dams are one of the most obvious symptoms of improper attic insulation. Ice dams occur because heat is escaping from your attic to your roof, where it melts the snow. The snow then refreezes in the form of ice, resulting in an ice dam. In addition to being an eyesore and a sign of inadequate insulation, ice dams also pose a leak risk to your roof and can damage your gutters. 

Condensation Control 

If you have inadequate attic insulation in conjunction with an old roof, it can result in condensation forming between your shingles and roof base. This can lead to leaks, a damaged roof base, and water damage in your attic and beyond. You can prevent these problems with adequate attic insulation. 

Your Roof Will Last Longer 

Because of the problems that attic insulation can prevent, your roof will last longer as a byproduct. 

Gutter Protection 

As the temperature on your roof is fluctuating due to inadequate insulation, your gutters will pay the price. They will shift, expand, and contract with every temperature change before they eventually loosen completely. Contact us if your gutters or roof have experienced damage due to improper attic insulation. 

In addition to everything that attic insulation does for your roof, it will also help your HVAC system last longer. It does this because of improved temperature and climate control, which means your AC and furnace won’t have to operate as long or as often. Your home will also be more comfortable with adequate attic insulation. 

Different Types of Attic Insulation 

There are several different types of attic insulation to choose from. Each type gets installed differently and has different qualities, and it’s important to choose the right type. 

Loose-Fill Insulation 

Loose-fill insulation, also known as blown insulation, consists of pieces of shredded fiberglass or cellulose that look similar to the innards of a pillow. Loose-fill insulation is the most popular type of attic insulation on the market, especially for new homes. 

Loose-fill insulation gets blown into your attic using a large machine and is fast and easy to install. It also makes it possible to access equipment and objects in your attic at a later time, although they can be difficult to locate beneath the mess of insulation. 

Rolled Insulation 

Rolls of cellulose insulation is another option for insulating your attic. You can use rolled insulation on your attic floor or install it in between the rafters of your roof. It’s more effective installed on the bottom of your roof, but this method is also more difficult. Rolled out on the floor, however, rolled insulation is inefficient and will require multiple layers. 

Spray Foam Insulation

Finally, you have the option of installing spray foam insulation in your attic. Spray foam insulation for your attic is the best and more efficient option. However, because of how expensive it is and because it solidifies in your attic, making it impossible to access floor equipment, it might be a better option for exterior walls. 

What Type of Attic Insulation Do I Need? 

If you’re building a new home, your contractor will likely decide what type of attic insulation to install. In most cases, it will be loose or blown insulation. If you’re installing your own insulation, your best bet is to use rolled insulation because it doesn’t require special installation equipment. Ultimately, although spray foam insulation is the most effective, you should only install it if you know you won’t need to access anything beneath it. 

Can I Insulate My Own Attic? 

Insulating your own attic is a great way to save money, but it’s also messy, itchy, and time-consuming work. However, as long as you are thorough, choose the right type of insulation, and install it properly, it’s a job you can handle on your own. 

If you decide to go this route, you should wear goggles and a respirator to protect your eyes and internal organs. Attic insulation is harmful if you inhale it and can irritate your eyes if you aren’t careful. 

How Much Attic Insulation Do I Need? 

Regardless of where you live or your climate, everyone must have adequate attic insulation. If you have loose-fill or blown attic insulation, you should have between 10 and 15 inches on your attic floor. This amounts to an insulation value of R-38, which is adequate for most climates. However, it’s better to have too much attic insulation rather than not enough. 

Who to Turn to For a Great Roof to Complement Your Attic Insulation

If you want to maximize the efficiency and value of your home, it’s important to combine attic insulation with a high-quality roof. For the best roof in Texas, contact us at KangaRoof. We’re one of the top roofing contractors in the industry and can even help you decide what type of insulation is best for your attic. You can rest assured that your roof and attic will perform at their best when you turn to us for a residential roof installation.