Having attic insulation in your home has many benefits. Not only does it reduce energy costs and make your living space more comfortable, but it can also extend the life of your roof.
Attic insulation acts as a buffer between the hot and cold temperatures outdoors and inside your home, blocking the intense temperature swings that cause premature roof deterioration.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the key benefits of attic insulation that help protect your roof from weathering and extend its lifespan.
How Roofing is Affected by the Attic
Roofs are made to shed rainwater and withstand the cold and snow of winter. In reality, roofing systems are made to enclose a chilly attic space. In the winter, an uninsulated attic may be significantly warmer than anticipated.
How Does a Warm Attic Affect the Roof?
Snow usually builds up on the roof in the winter before being blown off, melted by the sun, fallen off, or brushed off by you. On warm days, snow is anticipated to persist until it melts and flows down the gutters.
A heated attic, however, can speed up the melting of snow throughout the winter. Snow melts when warm attic air rises, and some liquid flows into the gutters.
How Attic Insulation Extends Roofing Lifespan
1. Reduced Leak Risks
Your roof’s asphalt shingles and underlayment could sustain significant damage from leaks. These frequently start slowly, as moisture gradually deteriorates the roofing material. If small leaks are regularly fixed, they will get better with time.
Proper attic insulation prevents leaks and water damage, extending the roof’s life. Your home could sustain significant damage if your roof develops cracks or holes due to insufficient insulation.
2. Strengthened Rafters
Your roof’s rafters provide structural support and hold the clay or asphalt shingles in place. The rafters are shielded by insulation, which lessens the possibility of cracks and damage from extreme temperature changes. An insulated attic helps mitigate the effects of temperature variations by preventing the expansion and contraction of wood rafters.
3. Enhanced Energy Efficiency
Insulation reduces the heat that building materials lose or absorb, which is its most significant advantage. This is achieved by controlling inside temperatures and preventing the effects of exterior temperatures on your area, allowing your HVAC system to run more effectively. Many homes with attic insulation claim lower monthly utility costs after installation.
4. Reduced UV Exposure
Reduced UV exposure is one of the primary ways attic insulation can extend a roof’s life span. Attic insulation helps to keep internal temperatures in the attic and home low, reducing thermal shock and helping to protect against extreme temperatures.
The temperature-regulating nature of attic insulation prevents the direct, harmful heat of the sun from hitting roofing materials and corroding them quickly due to the breakdown of the roofing material’s chemical composition caused by UV radiation. This way, attic insulation extends a roof’s lifespan by protecting it from accelerated decay.
Conclusion
Attic insulation helps extend the life of your roof in many ways. It helps to reduce heat transfer and keep moisture away from roofing materials, which makes them last longer. It can also help reduce energy costs and make your home more comfortable year-round. Investing in attic insulation is an excellent way to prolong the lifespan of your roof and save you money in the long run.
If you need blown attic insulation in Saskatoon, Wilderness Roofing is here! Our highly trained professionals can install each type of insulation, ensuring it is appropriately and safely applied. Contact us now!