Attic Insulation and Your Roof

Oct 26, 2022

With fall here and winter on the way, it’s important to assess the condition of your attic, particularly insulation in the attic, as it plays a critical role in the roofing system’s overall performance. “As a rule of thumb, 80% of homes are under insulated and not properly air sealed,” said Wendy Cline, J&B Construction owner. “Plus, 40% of heat loss goes through the attic, so having sufficient insulation and adequate air sealing is important for your home’s performance.”

Improves Energy Efficiency

A well-insulated attic and one that is properly air sealed helps to protect a home from the outside elements by minimizing or eliminating air leaks, which helps to keep the home warm in winter and cool in summer. “This takes excess strain off your HVAC system and creates a more stable and comfortable indoor air temperature throughout the home, resulting in improved energy efficiency,” Wendy said. “The energy you save will be positively reflected on your home’s energy bill.”

Positive Environmental Impact

Saving energy in a home will also minimize a home’s carbon footprint. In other words, the home will emit a reduced amount of carbon dioxide – a greenhouse gas that has proven to be a significant contributor to air pollution. “Additionally, many types of insulation today are sustainably sourced as they are comprised of recycled materials,” she said. “Common examples include cellulose, fiberglass, and mineral wool insulation.”

Promotes Cleaner Indoor Air

A properly insulated attic promotes a healthy indoor air environment because it helps to prevent outdoor air pollutants, such as dust, dirt, mold, smoke, radon, and various allergens from entering the home. Exposure to air pollutants can cause a myriad of short-term health effects, such as eye irritation, respiratory problems, headaches, tiredness, and dizziness. Extended exposure can lead to more serious, long-term effects.

Discourages Invasive Pests

Any time a roofing system is not completely sealed, there is a risk of pests invading a home. “If old insulation or a lack of insulation is to blame for the openings in your home’s roofing system, insects and other animals, such as wasps, ants, spiders, mice, rats, birds, chipmunks, and squirrels, will likely be the first to know, as these creatures have been known to locate and utilize these openings to enter an attic for nesting purposes,” said Wendy.

Protection Against Weather-Related Damage

A poorly insulated attic is no match against extreme weather. For instance, when an attic lacks proper insulation and air sealing, it becomes highly susceptible to moisture, which can lead to mold, wood rot, and extensive structural damage. Another concern is ice dams or icicles, which can form on roofing systems during winter months under the right conditions and cause major interior and exterior structural damage, requiring expensive repairs. “New insulation will effectively seal your home against Mother Nature as well as help maintain a consistent indoor air temperature year-round, greatly reducing the risk of weather-related damage,” Wendy said.

Extends Your Roof’s Life Expectancy

Since a well-insulated attic protects a home’s structural integrity and deters pests from entering, it inherently lengthens a roof’s life expectancy, which keeps the home safe and secure for years to come.

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Enjoy Peace Of Mind

The only complaint I have is when I have J&B do my roof in another 30 years or so, is Dave their sales man (a great guy) would not guaranty I could get the same great crew I had this time. They did a fantastic job. Much better than the last roofing company did. A nice bunch of guys. Did a very nice job cleaning up. I'd give them 10 stars but 5 is the limit. If you need a roof done this is the company you want to do it. One more point I need to make. The guys that did the chimney flashing are artists. I went up on the roof when they were done and was very pleased with not only the roofing job but the sculptured sheet metal work. It's kind of a shame it's on the roof and not hanging on the family room wall :). You get the point. Hire em. You'll like em.

Dave H

We live in a historic designated neighborhood and recently had our 30 year wood shingle roof replaced with another wood roof and new gutters. From Day 1 of the project to the final day, the entire team was responsive, professional, and very competent. When some minor changes were proposed by us they quickly and effortlessly complied. After going through this experience with J&B, I would highly recommend them to anyone considering a roof and gutter replacement, whether it be a simple or complicated project.

John Lamb

J & B did an amazing job from start to finish. The initial meeting at my home took place exactly at the time that was agreed upon and Scott was thorough in his explanations and transparent about costs. When the time came to begin the project, the team that showed up was friendly, professional and timely in getting the project done. The cleanup afterward was such that it looked like they hadn't been there at all. The roof looks great, there were no surprises and Scott came by to inspect the work and explain the warranty upon job completion. I would highly recommend them.

Kenneth Simons

My neighbor had their roof replaced and I was really impressed with the speed, carefulness and quality of the work I saw. Asked her for her experience and she told me she would highly recommend J & B. I called Scott to set an appointment. He showed up on time and was very thorough in his assessment, also letting me know about some other issues and advise on where to get help. J & B is a fantastic company to deal with - their people are incredibly careful about the work they do, clean up and leave the property in the same condition as when they started, were careful about plants and the house, and work very efficiently. The office staff is great about following up, checking in and very responsive to anything that comes up. I was happy with the price charged. If you are looking to replace your roof, you should be calling J & B to get the job done.

David W.

We had work done by the J&B team at a commercial property and were very pleased with the whole process. Their estimator met us onsite and communicated with us every step of the way. They went over the scope in detail and the work performed exceeded what we were expecting. They found some additional concerns during the installation that were quickly addressed and communicated to us and to our surprise, there was not an additional charge. Our tenants reached out to share how respectful the employees were during the installation and how clean everything was left afterwards. As the project was wrapped up, we were walked through the completion paperwork and provided the warranty information. Very impressed with the professionalism of this company and would not hesitate to refer their services or use them again in the future.

Jessie C.