Why Roofing Contractors Recommend Proper Attic Insulation
Save Energy, Improve Comfort, and Protect Your Roof Year-Round
When homeowners think about roofing contractors, they often focus on shingles, gutters, or repairs—but attic insulation is just as critical to the health of your roof and home. A properly insulated attic provides energy savings, consistent indoor temperatures, better air quality, and protection against ice dams, which can damage both your roof and eavestroughs. According to Energy Star guidelines for Canada, the ideal attic insulation level is R-60 (about 17 inches of insulation).
Energy Savings
A properly insulated attic allows your home to be more energy efficient. This is because attic insulation allows cold or warm air to stay contained. Having a poorly insulated attic will significantly increase the amount of air loss, specifically hot air during the colder months, as heat rises and escapes through the roof. The same goes for cold air during hot summer days. The amount of air that escapes the attic will determine how frequently your furnace/air conditioner runs, which reflects the cost of energy bills.
Stable Home/Room Temperatures
Are you finding that specific areas or rooms in your home fluctuate in temperature? One of the causes may be insufficient attic insulation. Having adequate attic insulation is a valuable investment to promote comfortable temperatures inside your home. The main benefit of a properly insulated attic is reduced air transfer between your attic and the outdoors. Insulation acts as a thermal barrier, which promotes stable home temperatures and prevents fluctuating temperatures throughout the different seasons, resulting in comfort all year round.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
Many homeowners don’t consider the fact that having a properly insulated attic also promotes better air quality throughout the house. Every home attic is naturally ventilated by the roof vents and vented soffits around the home. The vented soffits allow air to come inside the attic and circulate through the roof vents. Outside air consists of many different allergens and pollutants, which could enter your home through air leaks if your attic is not properly insulated.
Homes with Insufficient levels or lack of attic insulation are susceptible to ice dams forming along the edge of your roof and over your eavestroughs. This is because lack of insulation causes heat from inside your home to raise through the ceilings, which then causes ice/snow on your shingles to melt and refreeze consistently during the winter season. Ice dams negatively impact your roof for many different reasons. Firstly, the overall shingle performance, as well as the life of the shingle is affected. Ice dams also increase the chance of leaks and possible eavestrough damage. Ensure your attic is properly insulated, ventilated and the roof is correctly installed, to prevent ice dams.
Types of Attic Insulation
There are many different options and types of insulation available on the market. However, there is one method and type of insulation that is most used amongst residential homes, known as loose fill. Another well-known term is blown-in insulation, which consists of small broken up particles made from either fiberglass, mineral wool or cellulose. This is a great option as it is easy to fill tight cavities and ensure it is evenly distributed in the attic.
It is very important to remember that with blown-in insulation, your soffits cannot be covered as it will restrict attic ventilation. Baffles should be installed in areas where you have vented soffits, to prevent the insulation from restricting airflow. For additional insulation and energy efficiency, batten insulation can also be installed between the trusses in the attic.
Ready to improve comfort and protect your roof?
Proper attic insulation isn’t just about saving on energy bills—it’s about protecting your roof, improving comfort, and ensuring your home performs year-round. If you’re unsure whether your attic meets today’s standards, the team at Nailed It Roofing & Construction is here to help. From insulation and ventilation to complete roofing systems, we provide trusted solutions across the GTA. Contact us today to schedule an inspection or request a free quote, and take the first step toward a healthier, more efficient home.