Owning a stunning house in a beautiful location is a dream that most of us have. We spend a lot of money and time to ensure that the home looks appealing from the outside while the interior is cozy and warm. Yet, we fail to inspect the most important room under the roof – the attic. As a result, homes situated in extreme cold or hot regions are not always comfortable to live in and generate high heating and cooling expenses.
The attic is the room right under the roof, which most of us use for storage. Maybe that is why attic insulation is almost always undermined. Just like blankets protecting us against cold and frigid air, attic insulation is a ‘blanket’ for the whole house. Do you fancy putting a lid on the electricity bill all the while living comfortably? Proper attic insulation is the answer you’re looking for! Also, we are happy to let the house owners know the government is providing free grants for roof and loft insulation for the households who qualify.
For those of you who are still skeptical of insulating the attic, here are some things you should know.
Cut Bills And Save Home
Stop using the attic as storage – make it a rule of thumb! If you cannot store items in your garage and closet, then rent out storage units available near your house. Homeowners want their homes to be cooler in summer and warm in winter. The first thought that enters your mind when it comes to insulation is how much it will cost. This is not wrong, considering you can easily save up to 40% on your cooling and heating bill by sealing air leaks when insulating the attic.
An insulated attic not only achieves the right temperature but safeguards your house from moisture and insects. Areas that are prone to flood must use moisture-resistant insulation material. You can also face severe mold and wood rot if the attic’s heat traps due to poor insulation. Make sure the insulation material you choose is most useful for your house.
Extends Roof Life
This point is especially for those peeps who live in cold regions and often face heavy snow. A poorly-insulated attic allows heat from your bedroom or living room to flow to the attic. Apart from conduction, heat also travels up to the attic via unsealed gaps and cracks. During or after snow, the heat trapped in the attic flows to the roof and melts its bottom layer. As the snow melts, it runs down and starts to refreeze, causing ice dams.
Water leaks, rafter decays, and shingles deterioration are a few consequences of ice dams. Therefore, to extend the life of your roof, make sure that the attic is adequately insulated.
Have Higher R-Value
If you ever decide to go for attic insulation, you will always hear the term ‘R-Value.’ But what does this term mean? R-Value quantifies the effectiveness of the insulation material. The higher the material’s R-value, the greater its ability to insulate your attic. On average, the R-value for a moderate climate is 38, for a warm climate is 30 and for a cold climate is 49.
Before opting for insulation, which you should, it is best to gauge your home’s R-value and choose the material accordingly. Sometimes, the attic is already insulated but still unable to provide adequate insulation. In this case, it is better to have a professional viewpoint and then add more insulation.
Don’t Go DIY With Attic Insulation
Even though laying insulation seems like a walk in the park, you should always opt for professional contractors. Sealing small cracks and gaps near windows and doors by yourself is fine, but insulating an attic from scratch can be difficult.
Bringing professional contractors might seem like an extra cost, but they are better equipped with the skill and knowledge to do the job seamlessly. They know about the best insulation material and where and how to use it. There are chances of harming your family while blowing chemicals all over your attic and the living room if you try to make this a DIY project. And you wouldn’t want to make a mess all over your place and incur additional costs, would you?
Bottom Line
And so, we reach the end of our list. Once you get your attic insulated, you will feel the difference in the environment and your electricity bill. You can always lower the thermostat and wear heavy clothes all winter, but installing insulation in the attic is much more convenient. Doing so will also protect your home from moisture, pests, and ice dams.
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