Roof Insulation

SuperAttic roof insulation. Rigid foam insulation
glued and fastened to the undersides of attic rafters.

When a homeowner complains about utility costs "going through the roof," there's more truth to this statement than many people realize. Almost half of a typical home's total energy budget goes toward heating and cooling, and these expenses are needlessly high when too much air and heat pass through the attic and roof. A well-sealed and well-insulated roof (or attic) can stop this unnecessary energy loss.

Roof insulation details vary based on where the roof is. The roof above a cathedral ceiling is often insulated with fiberglass batt insulation that fits between the rafters. An insulation baffle is usually installed against the underside of the roof sheathing in each rafter bay prior to installing the fiberglass batt. The baffle creates an air space, connecting the soffit vent to the ridge vent so that the attic can ventilate properly.

Attic roof insulation can be done in several ways

When roof insulation is installed in an attic space, there are several treatments that can be used. Fiberglass batt insulation can be installed, following the same installation technique used in cathedral ceilings (described above).

Spray foam insulation is sometimes applied between attic rafters. It's important to note that this insulation strategy is controversial because it eliminates the ventilation space that allows the roof to "breathe." Also, spray foam insulation can trap or retain moisture, which sometimes causes roof sheathing to rot.

Rigid foam insulation can serve as attic roof insulation when it's installed between and/or directly beneath the attic rafters. In both cases, roof ventilation can be maintained and moisture won't be trapped. Dr. Energy Saver's exclusive SuperAttic® system utilizes this approach, which is shown in the photo.

Contact Dr. Energy Saver for a free estimate on roof insulation to reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer.

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