Attic: Insulation and Ventilation

When homeowners have ice dams, they think of attic insulation as the primary solution. Attic insulation works round the clock however you also need to close the gaps where heat leaks into the attic.

Attic Insulation

Attic insulation (also known as building insulation) will make your home comfortable in an energy efficient way. The insulation decreases the unwanted flow of heat between your home and the outdoors, stopping heat loss in the Winter and heat gain in the Summer.

Before buying attic insulation, ensure you know how to install it properly and what the recommended R-value (the measure of insulation's ability to resist heat traveling through it) for your attic is.

The efficiency of insulation is based on the R-value and equally important is the quality of the installation because:

• Before insulation you should seal all gaps from your home's living area (by using caulking). When sealing the gaps you may also use foam and weather stripping around the entry door into your attic.

• You need to install attic baffles (also called proper vents) before adding insulation to your attic floor, to make sure that there's adequate airflow coming in from your soffits, for attic ventilation.

Sealing Gaps That Leak Into Attic

There are lots of holes in the attic floor where more heat escapes into the attic. While your attic insulation will delay the movement of this heat to the attic cavity and ultimately your roof, it's better if you seal all these gaps to decrease the amount heat that enters your attic.

• Things hidden inside your walls including electrical wiring, plumbing and duct work.

• Recessed ceiling light fixtures called high hats but learn about fire safety first.

• Gaps around chimneys need special handling.

• Your attic access door should be insulated, plus weatherstripping fills gaps.

Attic Ventilation

Attic ventilation works by getting rid of warm air in the attic. It is thewarm air under the roof that causes snow to melt ice dams to form.

The purpose of attic ventilation which works in conjunction with your attic insulation are:

• Attic ventilation helps keep your attic cool and lessens the need for air conditioning during warm months.

• Ventilation's role is to eliminate moisture from warm air that gets into your attic during colder months. Otherwise the moisture will turn to water, which can damage the attic insulation, attic flooring and the roof deck above and this could also affect the things you store in your attic.

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