Owning a home can feel like having a never-ending maintenance chore list. When it comes to your roof, remembering everything you need can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to feel that way.
Roofing is like an onion with many layers. Every component is critical to protecting your home. Oftentimes, insulation is one of the most overlooked parts of a roof. From shielding against condensation to maintaining energy consistency, insulation is essential to support your roofing system. Find out the key ways in which insulation strengthens your roof and how our roofers in Austin have your back.
Why do I need insulation?
In layman’s terms, insulation is how your home regulates comfortable temperatures all year-round. Whether it’s hot or cold outside, insulation acts as an extra layer of protection against all weather conditions. Think of it as a heat-fighting shield for your home. Especially in harsh Austin heat, you want to combat ineffective insulation.
Insulation works in 3 stages: radiation, conduction, and convection. We’ll break it down for you.
Radiation is the source of heat. For your home, the sun is the source. Just like the sun’s radiation harms our skin, it can also damage and crack shingles. Insulation acts as your home’s sunblock. By absorbing most of the heat, it protects your roof from cracking and warping.
Conduction is the absorption of heat through materials. Some materials conduct heat better than others. For roofs without insulation, the heat seeps down into your home. This is why houses without insulation can feel too hot or too cold.
Convection circulates the air to regulate temperature. During Austin’s hotter and humid months, insulation keeps cooler air inside. In the cooler months, it helps to retain heat. That way, you and your family are comfortable in all weather conditions.
How does insulation impact my roof?
Insulation impacts your home’s energy costs, temperature regulation, shingle lifespan, and more.
- Regulates Home Temperatures
Insulation is a game-changer. Quality insulation will keep your home temperature regulated and comfortable. If you’ve ever felt like baking in an oven inside a home, it’s time to check your insulation.
- Prolongs Shingle Life
You want to keep your shingles as good as new — insulation helps achieve that. Through consistently regulated temperatures, insulation prevents harmful moisture, ice dams, and shingles from expanding and contracting, prolonging the lifespan of your roof.
- Lower Energy Costs
When air escapes, your HVAC system works harder than it should. Insulation keeps your desired temperature trapped inside, so you stay comfortable in every season.
- Noise Reduction
Not only does insulation regulate temperatures, it also absorbs sound. Your neighbors are happier for it!
- Reduced Condensation
Insulation controls surface temperatures, ensuring they’re below the dew point. This keeps condensation from forming and causing rot, mold, and mildew.
What is quality insulation?
You want the best for your home, but what does it mean to have good insulation? High-quality insulation absorbs as much heat as possible. From material type to thickness, you want your insulation to work. Most roofers measure this quality with a term called R-value.
R-value measures the resistance to conduction that insulation has. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation is at regulating temperatures—usually, the higher the R-value, the thicker and better it is at retaining heat.
Do I need new insulation?
From higher electric bills to more drafts, there are several signs that you need new insulation. But knowing when you need new insulation can be hard to catch. Here are some common signs you need to look out for.
- Unexplained drafts: If you notice spots of cold air or feel a little breeze inside your home, it’s time to check your insulation!
- Higher energy costs: Energy costs keep climbing, but your routine is the same.
- Moisture, must, and mold: Moisture is a common sign that your insulation isn’t absorbing effectively. Must and mold are symptoms of that.
- Shingle damage: This is harder to spot, but if you notice granule loss or cracks in your shingles, old insulation may be the culprit.
When in doubt, turn to roofing experts in Austin to help you out. With our free 20-point inspection, we check every detail of your roof, including the condition of your insulation. Schedule a free roof inspection with our experts to find out if you need new insulation.
