As an experienced residential roofing contractor team, Empire Roofing & Exteriors knows just how important it is to have your attic properly insulated. There are so many benefits to checking on your home’s insulation including a better performing HVAC system, increased energy efficiency, and an improved financial position. However, there is, unfortunately, a lot of misinformation out there about attic insulation that can make it hard to know where to start.
To show you that you have nothing to worry about when working with professionals, we thought we could debunk some of the most common attic insulation myths and misconceptions.
Myth #1: Attic Insulation is Just for the Winter
It makes sense why some homeowners think attic insulation is purely for retaining heat during the colder months but remember insulation is important all year round! Yes, keeping your house warm and heating bills low is one of the functions of attic insulation, but it also helps slow down radiant heat during the warmer months. This helps keep your home cool in the summer while again reducing HVAC bills when running your air conditioning.
Myth #2: Warm Weather Areas Don’t Need Attic Insulation
On a related note, it is also incorrect to assume that residential properties in warm-weather areas don’t need attic insulation. Again, insulation works to trap heat in but also works to keep unwanted heat out. We don’t necessarily need to worry about this myth here in our Canadian climate, but it’s still important to know that if you want comfortable room temperatures all year round, then proper attic insulation is a must for your home
Myth #3: Attic Insulation is Not Worth the Cost
Although attic insulation is not necessarily something you will think about or see every day, that does not mean it is not worth the cost – especially because you will certainly feel the difference. We know the world of attic insulation is not the most glamourous or splashy home project out there, although the deflation of your heating and cooling costs is sure to excite you. Proper attic insulation can also improve your home equity, increase resale value (with a large return on investment percentage), and even make you eligible for government rebates or tax credits.
Myth #4: Proper Attic Insulation Won’t Make That Much of a Difference
Not only is a properly insulated attic worth the investment, it will actually also make a huge difference to your home. If you have drafts, you will most likely experience cold floors and cold spots in general around your home. Adding correct attic insulation will help alleviate these problems so that you can comfortably walk around your space barefoot. Ice dams are also a huge problem with insufficient insulation because heat leaks through your roof that melts the snow or ice which then refreezes at the rain gutter and causes backups. If left unchecked, ice dams will lead to moisture entering your home and wreaking havoc on your roofing system and interior structure.
Myth #5: Your Current Insulation is Probably Fine
In our experience, the average home we inspect has roughly 8 to 12 inches of attic insulation. This is very low and means these homes or under-insulated. Current building codes require R-60 level insulation (about 22.5 inches thick) which means all new homes are built to this standard. However, if your home was built in the early 2000s or before, you are very likely to have insufficient insulation. Remember that over time attic insulation can settle and become less effective or can be impacted by weather conditions. Contact our team to have your attic inspected so that you know if your home meets the current code or can do with new insulation.
Myth #6: Attic Insulation Can Damage Your Home or Cause Fires
Another huge misconception about attic insulation is that it can easily catch fire. Of course you would be concerned about a highly flammable material in your home that could endanger your family and property. However, the opposite is actually true. Insulation is designed so as not to catch fire easily, but you want to make sure you hire a reputable contractor to install it safely. Each type of insulation works differently so we always recommend consulting with a professional and performing an attic inspection before committing to new insulation.
Myth #7: Vapor Barriers Trap Moisture in the Attic
A vapor barrier’s job is to protect your insulation from coming into contact with moisture. It is a type of plastic sheeting that allows moisture to evaporate, protecting your home from damage and preventing the spread of mould, mildew, and rot. Don’t let people trick you into believing that vapor barriers installed with your attic insulation system can keep moisture from leaving your attic. Again, the opposite is true. Vapor barriers are designed to prevent warm and moist indoor air from condensing in your home. They let air pass through while directing moisture away from your walls and not letting it penetrate the insulation layer.
You Can Trust Empire Roofing & Exteriors
Don’t fall for these attic insulation myths – trust the Empire Roofing & Exteriors team to answer all of your questions and get the job done right! Empire Roofing and Exteriors is your best choice for roofing support in Guelph, Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo & surrounding areas. As a professional Guelph Roof Repair company, Empire Roofing & Exteriors will be there for you now and in the future. You can trust our Empire Roofing & Exteriors team with local, reputable, and licensed roof repair services backed with years of proven expertise.
Let the roofing experts at Empire Roofing & Exteriors get your attic and roof done the right way today by calling 519 265-ROOF (7663) or fill out our online quote form. Don’t forget to ask us about our financing options as well through FinanceIt, the most powerful financing in the industry.