Is Insulating Your Roof & Attic Important?

Saving money on your energy bill can be as easy as looking at your home and how well insulated it is. There are many benefits to insulating your roof and attic, including avoiding common roofing winter problems. Uneven insulation in your attic and roof can cause issues like ice damming, along with helping to prevent energy loss and transfer in your home.

So, should you look at insulating your roof and attic, and what’s the best kind of insulation to use in your home? We’ll go over different insulation choices and whether you should be calling your contractor to get started on this project.

There are many different options for insulation, and depending on your home and where you live, the “best” insulation type might vary. There’s no one answer for which insulation is the overall best, and your roofing contractor can help you decide for your individual case. But when it comes to insulation, you can choose between:

• Fibreglass
• Cellulose
• Mineral Wool
• Cotton
• Foam Board (Rigid Foam Panels)
• Spray Foam

There are many different pros and cons for each one of these insulation types, but in this blog, we’ll only go over the most popular types of insulation, fibreglass, cellulose, foam board and spray foam.

Typically, batt insulation is the most common type that you see being used in housing projects. This is because it’s straightforward to install and is precut to fit most ceiling joists and rafters. You can also buy batt insulation from most hardware stores, like Home Depot and Lowes. Batt insulation is very moisture-resistant, so it’s a good choice for homes in more humid areas. However, it requires multiple layers for colder climates, and you need to wear the appropriate safety gear while installing it.

Loose-filled insulation is typically not used in colder climates because it loses efficiency under freezing temperatures. So typically, in Alberta, you won’t find builders or contractors that use loose-filled insulation because it simply does not suit our climate.

Fibreglass insulation is one of the most common insulation types used in Calgary. It’s cost-effective and one of the cheapest options when it comes to insulation. Most homes in Alberta have fibreglass batt insulation, which is extremely accessible. Typically, this is the best choice for most homes and can be easily installed.

Cellulose is recycled wood or paper that is ground up and has boric acid added into it. The most common type of cellulose insulation used in homes is loose-fill cellulose. This type of insulation is blown into finished walls through a hole drilled into the drywall. Cellulose is a good pick for insulation for walls and attics because it fills the space and can conform around any obstructions in the walls or space.

Loose-fill cellulose is a good choice if you don’t want to tear down your finished walls or are just looking for a quick and easy way to insulate your attic.

Spray foam insulation is a great choice for helping to seal leaks and gaps when you already have existing walls. As the name implies, spray foam is a liquid polyurethane that you spray, and it later expands into a solid foam. Once the spray foam is dried, the foam is hard. While this seems like an easy insulation method for the at-home DIYer, it’s always better to call a professional.

Foam boards, also called rigid foam panels, are a great choice for insulating floors and low-slope roofs. This type of insulation is resistant to moisture, making it a good choice for more humid environments or any space where it can get wet.

How you approach installing new insulation in your attic and roof area depends on the type of insulation you end up choosing. If you have existing insulation, you’ll likely have to tear it out before installing new insulation.

With a project this big, it’s better to contact a local contractor to look and assess exactly what needs to be done to insulate your attic space and roof. Incorrect and uneven insulation can lead to more significant roof issues, including ice damming.

Maximize your energy efficiency by looking into insulating your attic and roof today. Saving money on your energy bill can be as easy as reducing energy loss through the top of your house.

Ready to get your roof and attic insulated? Contact our team at Tony’s Roof Repair to see how our team can help insulate your attic and keep your energy loss low.