Depending on where you live, keeping your home warm and dry during the winter may be a Herculean effort. Heating your home in the winter months can get really expensive. With the prices of most heating solutions like natural gas and heating oil increasing year after year, the situation isn’t going to improve anytime soon. Colder climates with lots of snow and rainfall can also take a heavy toll on the roof of your house. For this reason, we will take a look into why is proper attic insulation important for your home and your roof.
Winter is not your (houses) friend
No matter how romantic you find the winter months to be, if you’re a homeowner, you need to prepare for the cold weather. And we’re not talking about a cozy blanket and a cup of cocoa. One of the parts of your home which is hit hardest by winter weather is the roof, so you’ll need to take extra steps to prepare. Constantly be on the lookout for any signs of potential problems. You can catch issues before they cause significant damage to your home and save a lot of money.
7 Reasons to insulate your attic
Probably the best way to answer why is proper attic insulation important for your home and your roof is to look at the large number of benefits that come from applying insulation.
1.Heat insulation
By insulating your attic, you will save vast amounts of money on your energy bill. The majority of the heat escapes your home through the roof. Insulating the attic will keep that warmth within the home, increasing the efficiency of your heating system. This works for the summer months as well, reducing the cost to cool down your home when it’s warm. Sunlight hits your home mostly from above. If you don’t insulate the attic, the heat from the roof will spread throughout the house.
2.Prevent ice dams
Ice dams and icicles that build up on your home during the winter can cause a lot of damage. Damage to the structure of your roof can lead to leaks and internal damage. All of these problems can be prevented, and a good way to address them is with proper insulation. Trust us when we say: preventing ice dams is much easier than removing them. Save yourself the headache and remove the cold spots from your roof by insulating your attic.
3.Stop air leaks
Properly applied insulation can patch up any air leaks. Controlling the airflow in your home is vital in the summer and winter. It will help you better regulate the heating and cooling you are performing. Additionally, you can avoid nasty winter drafts that can bring chill air into your home. By managing air leaks, you will also improve the air quality in your home since no unwanted debris will be pulled in by drafts. Outside pollutants can accumulate over time, seriously affecting the quality of the air you breathe.
4.Prevent water damage
Even something like a small leak can wreak havoc on your home. Nothing is as devastating as unaddressed water damage, which can work its way from the roof to other parts of your home. Water damage can cause problems such as wood rot, mold and mildew buildup, as well as eroding the cement structure of your home. Attic insulation will increase the health of your roof and prevent water from spreading and causing damage to the rest of your home.
5.A dry attic makes for good storage
Think about what most people use their attics for. Most of the time, the answer is going to be: extra storage space. It makes sense because most attics tend to be slightly slanted, which limits their use. In case you’ve put your attic to a different use, renting storage is a solution for various items you otherwise wouldn’t have space for. Depending on the size of your attic and the height of your roof, you could also use your attic as a hobby room or a spare bedroom. Regardless of what you plan to use your attic for, it will need to be dry and adequately insulated.
6.Prevent condensation
Let’s start with something you probably know – heat rises. Moisture from the rooms you are heating rises, and it can lead to condensation in the attic. If left unchecked, condensation can lead to structural damage and mold growth. Insulation can prevent moisture from rising, keeping your attic space dry.
7.Prolong the life of your roof
Unless you maintain the roof of your house, it will get damaged and deteriorate over time. Eventually, your roof will get so worn out that you will need to replace it, which is a considerable expense. By applying insulation, you can prevent condensation, water damage, and ice dams. Your shingles and gutters will last longer, and your home will be easier to maintain.
How to maintain your roof
Just like any other part of your home, the roof will need regular maintenance and upkeep. New homeowners tend to focus only on the features of the house they can see and often forget about the top of their house. We have a guide for new homeowners to help them understand why proper attic insulation is important for your home and your roof. The short version is that, in order for it to be safe, you should have occasional inspections by professionals. You can then follow their advice regarding maintenance and needed repairs. Consider scheduling an inspection after every especially rough winter.
A well-kept roof can last decades
Most people don’t spend a lot of time in the attic of their home. However, proper attic insulation is important for your home and your roof. Even if you don’t go up to the attic often or store items there, it’s still essential to check it every now and then to see how the insulation is holding up. The more you care for your home, the longer it will last. As you have seen, there is a long list of benefits that come from merely insulating the attic of your home.
