Roofing Glossary: Common Roofing Terms You Need to Know in 2024
January 21, 2024Does a Black Roof Make Your House Hotter?
March 6, 2024If you're feeling too hot in the summer and freezing cold all winter long, your home may be poorly insulated. Learn how roof insulation works and why it's crucial to keep your home feeling comfortable in every season.
Ontario isn't known for its moderate temperatures, and your home's insulation is your best line of defence against the fluctuating extremes. But insulation hides under your roof and walls, so it's not always easy to maintain and monitor.
What happens if you don't insulate roofs?
Poor roofing insulation creates discomfort in every sense of the word. You'll spend more money trying (and failing) to maintain a consistent, comfortable temperature through all seasons. That's why our roofing experts are uncovering the mystery behind your home's insulation so you can find an inexpensive solution that maximizes your family's comfort and minimizes your energy bills.
Is it necessary to insulate a roof?
Great insulation is a must-have for every home in Hamilton, so let's dive into it!
How Insulation Works
What is the purpose of roof insulation?
The best way to break down insulation for roofing is through heat. Heat moves through materials through conduction and uses convection to move through liquid and gases, like the air.
Why is roof insulation installed?
Insulation takes a two-fold approach to home protection, stopping heat flowing through both conduction and convection. Your roof insulation protects energy and efficiency as a protective shield and thermal barrier that prevents both heat and cooling loss, depending on the season.
What's the deal with insulation R values?
A common term thrown around in the insulation world is the R-value. The R value of insulation measures how well a material keeps heat from entering or leaving your home. In more technical terms, it's the temperature difference that sustains one unit of heat flux between a colder and warmer surface.
When comparing values, all you need to know is that the R rating insulation values measure per inch of a material's thickness. For example, the spray foam insulation value is 3.6-5.7, while blown-in insulation ranges from 2.2–2.7. The higher the number, the better the insulation rating, so in this case, the spray foam provides better insulation per inch and is the super.
6 Benefits of Roofing and Insulation
#1: Year-Round Comfort
Now that we've shared how uncomfortable it can be to live in a home with poor insulation let's chat about how insulating a roof can help you feel easy and breezy in the summer and warm and snug all winter. Insulation minimizes air drafts, keeps temperatures consistent, and enhances the overall livability of your home. And since the primary function of a home is to live in it, it's a pretty important consideration!
#2: Weather Protection
Extreme weather brings extreme temperatures that good insulation can keep outside where they belong. But in Hamilton, we tend to see significant rain, snow, humidity, and other high-moisture weather events. With the right roofing with insulation, you can keep your home's moisture levels in check to prevent the buildup that causes mildew and mold. Keeping your home dry means better structural integrity and better air to breathe in the years and decades to come.
#3: A Quieter Home
The thick, durable materials insulating roofs also serve as powerful noise barriers. You can often tell when a home is poorly insulated because the noise of the environment around the home seems to come straight through the walls. Conversely, a well-insulated roof reduces exterior noise so you can get a great night's sleep and enjoy a more peaceful, quiet home experience.
#4: Energy Efficiency
Whether you've had a home energy assessment that uncovered insulation roof issues or noticed you have to blast your heating or cooling to maintain a minimally comfortable environment, you've probably already realized that roof insulation is a great way to save on energy. You're not only wasting money to heat an inefficient home - you're using more energy and increasing your drain on the planet's precious resources.
#5: A Solid Return on Investment (ROI)
Building an energy-efficient home with updated roof insulation can help save you hundreds and even thousands on energy costs every year. It can decrease the average cost of your energy bills, which can increase your home's value to prospective buyers. There's also the potential to enjoy qualifying government incentives and rebates because they're working to entice consumers to build "greener" homes. Ideally, any money you spend to improve roof insulation comes back to you and builds an even bigger ROI.
#6: Better Attic Space
When you invest in roof insulation, you create a better, temperature-controlled attic space that you can personally enjoy or use for reliable storage. With a clean, dry environment, your boxes won't get moldy, and the temperatures will be comfortable, even during those hot summer months.
SameDay Roofing: Trusted Roof Insulators in Hamilton
Roof insulation isn't just about keeping your home warm in winter or cool in summer—it works to create a comfortable, energy-efficient, and healthy home for your family.
If you're ready to start your roof insulation project, our expert team will answer any questions you have and work with you to create the right plan. Let's work together to help you create a comfortable, efficient home that feels like a safe haven. Let's chat and start a free roofing insulation estimate - call (905) 544-4667 today.