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Part 3 of the “Should I Upgrade?” Series

, we discussed the benefits of a premium entry door. Now let’s take a look at attic insulation, an often-forgotten component of a roof.

When paired with adequate attic ventilation, attic insulation has the power to prevent mold, lower energy bills and keep your family comfortable. It also helps preserve the condition of the roof over time. In short, attic insulation is extremely important. But not all insulation and materials are created equal. When it comes to attic insulation, there are three popular options:

batt, spray foam

and

loose-fill fiberglass insulation.

Which is best for your home?

Batt insulation

is made of either cotton or fiberglass and comes in large sheets or on a roll. Though batts make good wall insulation, their size simply doesn’t conform to the nooks and crannies of most attics. This leads to uninsulated gaps and poor energy efficiency.

Spray foam insulation

, though becoming increasingly popular for unventilated attics, is an unwise choice as well. The idea with spray foam (which expands as it’s fed into the attic) is to seal out all outside air with no ventilation, thus making the attic another conditioned room in the home. Proper spray foam installation is rare, and even if it is done well, lack of ventilation means that the roof’s shingles are absorbing the heat of the sunlight – thus shortening the lifespan of the roof.

Loose fill fiberglass insulation

is the ideal choice for most homes. Because it conforms easily to even the most varied of attic surfaces, has an easily buildable R-value and excellent energy efficiency, our Northern Virginia attic insulation contractors are huge proponents of loose fill fiberglass insulation. We proudly recommend CertainTeed UltraTherm™ S&R Loose Fill Fiber Glass Insulation. This product is non-toxic, odor-free, eco-friendly, mold and rot proof, and carries a transferrable limited warranty.

Just as not all attic insulation materials are created equal, neither are all attic insulation contractors. In fact, a poorly done insulation job is almost as bad as no insulation at all. At Roofing & More, we treat every job with the utmost care and professionalism. For instance, when most insulation contractors install insulation, they enter through the front door, run a hose through your home and to the attic. This can disrupt your family’s daily life and even create a bit of a mess. We give you the option to run the insulation hose through your roof instead. That way there is less mess and less intrusion.

If you notice drastic temperature changes between floors in your home, it may very well be time for new attic insulation and/or a look at your existing ventilation system. Call or contact the experts at Roofing & More today to schedule a free insulation consultation.