The Importance of Attic Insulation

Without proper insulation in your attic you could get roof problems. From giant ice dams building up to mold growth to interior damage in the attic or walls. Heat and moisture can get trapped inside your attic, so it is recommended to maintain the temperature the full year round. With proper ventilation and insulation, you won‘t have to worry about your roof starting to sag or premature roof material failure. When thinking about proper ventilation in your roof, keep in mind the ABC’s: Ample Amount, Balanced, and Controlled Air Flow.

There should be an ample amount of vent area and air flow, and it is important where the vents are located in the attic and along the roof. The International Building Code and the International Residential Cod (IBC and IRC) require there to be a minimum of a 1:150 ventilation ratio, meaning 1 square foot of vent area for every 150 feet of attic/roof area, but if certain requirements are met then the ratio can be reduced to 1:300.

Proper ventilation needs to have a 50% intake vent and a 50% exhaust vent balance. Exhaust vents (aka ridge vents) are for pulling air out of the attic and in turn creates a negative pressure. In order to balance out the negative pressure and the air escaping, the intake vents are needed. Intake vents should be installed in soffits or in a lower place on the roof slope like near the eaves. If you don’t have an equal amount of intake ventilation to balance out the exhaust ventilation, then the air from inside your home will be pulled out. This means that all of the money you paid to make sure your home is the perfect temperature is being wasted as it is being pulled up and out through the ceiling, lighting fixtures, etc.

To prevent your conditioned or heated air from being pulled into the attic, it is important to have controlled air flow by properly sealing the air flow. You can do this by sealing air leaks and making sure that insulation is installed correctly and where it should be in your home. Insulation provides an effective resistance to the flow of heat to the colder areas and keeps your interior your preferred temperature. A good tip to keep air from seeping through your ceiling into the attic is to air seal the attic floor and to make sure any cracks are sealed.

Properly installed attic insulation is not only good for your wallet and the longevity of your roof, it is also good for the planet. It is one of the most effective things you can do to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. If your house is properly insulated, then you won’t need to use as much fossil fuels or electricity as before to heat or cool your house.