Insulation: it’s that unsung hero buried behind the exterior walls and uppermost parts of your house. Insulation helps keep your home warm in the winter by preventing heat escape, and cool in the summer by reducing infiltrating heat from the sun. It buffers the living space from the roof. And, its role is a crucial one when it comes to prolonging the life of your roof.
Preventive Medicine
Without insulation, excess heat in the attic causes oils contained in the asphalt shingles to push to the top, resulting in faster than normal evaporation. “The loss of oils is what causes the shingles to become brittle, leading to cracking, nail pops, and eventually water infiltration,” says Joey Gordon, a project consultant here at G. Fedale Roofing and Siding. He adds that improper ventilation is the greater culprit here, but poor insulation is a contributing factor as well.
Blow It Up!
Blown-in loose insulation is perhaps the easiest application and the least intrusive. Still, spray foam or fiberglass batt is also an option. Baffles are beneficial additions should the latter two options be selected as they facilitate air circulation, a necessary function required for ventilating the home. Still, blown-in insulation is the most efficient and cost-effective choice. Building codes regarding the R-value of insulation for new home construction have recently increased in our region. New insulation applications would likewise follow the current code, thereby further increasing energy efficiency.
At G. Fedale, we have the machinery and capability to accommodate smaller jobs involving blown-in insulation. We sub-contract out for larger tasks that may entail multiple locations within the home or varying types of insulation and installation methods.
Two Birds with One Stone
Perhaps one of the best opportunities to evaluate existing insulation and add new, if needed, is during a roof replacement project. Everything from access to application is simplified amidst that exposure. During this time, the ventilation method can also be assessed. The yang to insulation’s yin, ventilation enables the intake of exterior air to recirculate throughout the attic and then exit through vents. Too little or too much insulation, or improper ventilation all impact the overall health of the home and the comfort and health of people who live inside.