Why Does Having the Right Amount of Insulation Matter?
Because insulation is generally out-of-sight, it also tends to be out-of-mind for many homeowners and property owners. Many folks just assume that as long as your home or building has some type of insulation, then it’s probably enough. Sadly, that’s often not the case. And if you live in an older home, then chances are very good that your attic and the rest of your finished space are actually under-insulated! Even newer homes that meet the minimum requirement for current building codes may still not have optimal levels of insulation, either.
One Crucial Area of Focus: Attic Insulation
Attic insulation is a very important component of your structure’s total insulation system. Your attic almost certainly has some insulation, but the question is, is it really enough? The attic insulation you currently have in place simply may not be enough to help keep you cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and better protected from moisture threats. A good rule of thumb where it concerns your attic is that it’s best to keep your attic temperature roughly equivalent to the ambient temperature of the air outside, regardless of season. Keep reading to learn more from the experts at Skywalker Roofing!
Winter Humidity & Moisture Concerns
Since we’re now well into fall, this is a good time to look forward to the coming winter conditions in North Carolina and Virginia. When it comes to your attic, the primary concern in the winter isn’t the cold air – it’s really the humidity & moisture. Surprised? Let us explain. When warm, humid attic air combines with cooler air flowing into your attic vents from the exterior, the result is often condensation. This condensation can form on both exterior roof surfaces and interior attic surfaces, including on your insulation. This presence of moisture can eventually lead to mold growth and wood rot around your roof and attic. And if the insulation gets wet enough, this moisture will reduce the R-value of your insulation. The result is that you’ll likely lose more of the precious heat inside your home during the winter months.
Summer Attic Heat Concerns
Of course, if you live in the Southeast, then you know that a primary concern in the summer is the heat. The extra heat that builds up underneath your roof decking can shorten the life expectancy of your roof shingles and other roofing materials. An attic that isn’t properly insulated can easily reach temperatures between 120°-150° on a hot summer’s day – that’s hot! And this extra built-up heat can end up introducing more heat into your home’s finished living space too, which means your A/C system will have to work much harder and stay on longer in order to keep your home comfortable.
Your Best Solution Is to Add Some Blown Insulation!
Blown-in insulation (also known as loose-fill insulation or simply blown insulation) is installed exactly as it sounds. Loose insulating material (composed of materials like fiberglass, mineral wool, and cellulose) is blown into attics, walls, and other building cavities with specialized equipment. Blown insulation can be added to existing insulation to help fill in any gaps and boost R-value. It can also be used as a primary method of insulation itself. And blown insulation has been shown to help regulate humidity levels inside, while also helping to prevent exterior moisture from infiltrating.
Blown Insulation Benefits
What difference can blown insulation make? For starters, it has a higher R-value than standard batting or boards. Blown insulation can also reach and fill more cracks and crevices, thus preventing air leakage. It’s designed to be moisture-resistant and fire-resistant, too. Here are some more specific benefits of using blown insulation:
• Good for filling in spaces that are hard to access.
• Prevents heating & air energy waste.
• Can help reduce utility costs anywhere between 20 and 50 percent, depending on your particular climate and how much existing insulation you have.
• Resistant to mold, mildew, and fire.
• Adds noise reduction benefits.
• Controls humidity levels better.
• Can be installed over existing insulation.
• Blown insulation installation may earn you energy-efficient tax credits.
Leave Blown Insulation Installation to the Pros
While some may assume that blown insulation can be handled as a DIY project, installing blown insulation does require some specialized equipment and expertise. It’s really best to look for blown insulation contractors you can trust. A trained, experienced professional will ensure that blown insulation particles are evenly distributed, and aren’t applying unnecessary load pressure on your ceilings and walls. A blown insulation pro also knows how to minimize the possibility of any insulation materials accidentally getting blown into your living space.
Let Skywalker Roofing Take Care of Your Blown Insulation Needs in NC & VA!
You may already know that Skywalker Roofing is one of the best roofing contractors providing roof replacement and new roof installation services. But that’s not all we can do for you – we also offer many other valuable home improvement services like blown insulation installation, custom gutters, gutter guards, siding replacement, windows replacement, and new porch and deck construction.
In a word, Skywalker has you covered! Nobody else in North Carolina or Virginia provides better workmanship, and nobody else takes better care of homeowners and business property owners. Skywalker Roofing is proud to be your preferred roofing contractor and home improvement contractor for the entire NC Piedmont Triad, NC Piedmont Triangle, Mooresville & Lake Norman area, and southern VA all the way up to Roanoke.
You can connect with us online, or for an even faster response, just give us a call today at +1 (336) 627-5596. We’d love to show you the Skywalker difference!