Attic Insulation and Ventilation – Why They Are Important

When home heating and cooling costs fluctuate unexpectedly, we often chalk it up to simple changes in the weather. However, If you have proper attic insulation and ventilation, those outside changes should not affect the inside of your home. That is why the attic is a major component of the roofing system and should not be overlooked when completing any roofing project. 

Every roofing, siding, and attic insulation contractor knows about the value of attic ventilation, but many  overlook or fail to share this important information with the homeowners. Even manufacturers’ warranties require a balanced air ventilation system, with both functional intake and exhaust ventilation products. An effective system is so important that warranties frequently deny coverage based on improper or inadequate roof ventilation or leakage caused by unvented attics or enclosed roofs. Roofing companies in Chicago, IL, like M&T Exteriors, are your go-to experts to ensure that your home is safe and comfortable.

Why do I need proper attic ventilation? 

• Protect your family’s health and safety.

An unvented attic with warm moist air and cold organic matter (ie. wood deck and rafters) are an ideal environment for mold and mildew to grow and flourish. 

• Prolong the lifespan of your roof.

A healthy dry deck will not break down from moisture and proper ventilation reduces the high end variance of heat cycling (the roof heats up less and can cool quicker).

• Reduce home heating and cooling costs.

With proper insulation and ventilation, you can limit the amount of heat loss in the winter and the amount of heat gain in the summer, reducing the demand on you heating and cooling systems.

How does poor attic ventilation make my home vulnerable?

• Cold damage

As any roofing company in the Chicago-land area will tell you, below-freezing winter temperatures cause warm air from your living space to escape into the attic. The warm air rising in the attic warms the underside of the roof deck, which melts accumulated rooftop snow, causing water to trickle down your roof. That runoff reaches the unheated  edge of your home and refreezes, forming an ice dam along the eaves. This dam pushes up under the shingles, leading to leaks and  drywall and framing damage. . Further, warm, moist air cannot escape an unvented attic . Trapped  in the attic, this air condenses, creating an ideal environment for mold and mildew to grow. ..

• Heat damage

With inadequate attic insulation and ventilation the roof system experiences a   higher temperature heat cycle and longer cooling cycle. During hot months, your roof’s exposure to heat can warp your roof sheathing and age your shingles prematurely, requiring roof shingle replacement. With inadequate attic insulation and ventilation, heat radiates down into the living space, resulting in discomfort and increased energy costs. 

• Mold

Increased moisture from humidity and storm damage can cause mold and mildew to grow inside your home entering the ventilation system or other wall /ceiling openings into your home. Damaged or aged shingles can develop algae, lichens, and moss. Poor attic ventilation speeds up that deterioration process, making the inside of your home vulnerable to fungi spores leading  to an increase in allergy symptoms or respiratory illness.

• High energy costs

With professional attic insulation from roofing companies like M&T Exteriors of West Chicago, IL you can ensure that heat does not radiate from the attic into your living areas. Too much hot or cold air entering your home causes your HVAC system to take on an unnecessary workload and run for  long periods, spiking your energy bill. Not only does this lead to expensive, frequent HVAC repairs, but also the entire system is at risk for breakdowns or complete failure.

What can my roofing company do to protect my home?

• Provide you three lines of defence to prevent Ice Damming
  • Proper attic ventilation to get the warm air out quickly.
  • Proper :insulation slows the heat transfer of warm air into the attic. 
  • Install self-adherent underlayment. Roofing companies uniformly install   this waterproof membrane over the wood deck, and up the roof to a minimum point 24” beyond the interior wall of your home. This is a tear-resistant membrane that seals around nails, preventing water under the shingles from entering your exterior walls or the  attic itself, saturating both the insulation and the drywall below.

• Professional cleaning and inspection

Roofing and siding installation contractor can determine if your shingles need to be repaired, cleaned, or replaced because of storm damage or deterioration due to aging. High-quality asphalt shingles, properly installed, have an architectural life expectancy of 20 to 30 years.  A roofing company like M&T Exteriors can ensure that your roof is up-to-date and up-to-code, keeping your energy bills low and your home comfortable.

• Repairs on the roofing and insulation system

Roofing or insulation contractors near you can advise you on protecting your home based on the local climate. They can repair or replace intake and exhaust systems, install soffit vents, roof shingle replacement or repair, determine the need for roof replacement, perform roof replacements, install additional attic floor sealing, and effectively prevent unwanted airflow or water leaks through vents, chimneys, and skylights.

Why call M&T Exteriors?

M&T Exteriors of West Chicago, IL is able to replace, repair, and improve not only your existing roofing materials, but your entire roofing system, including attic insulation and ventilation. 

All of our roofing evaluations begin by checking the attic to ensure proper ventilation, adequate insulation, penetration sealing, and proper vent duct exhaust and baffle installations. 

We at M&T Exteriors, Inc. are able to provide both roofing and attic services at the same time, saving you time and money. During the roofing project, we can complete all detail work in the attic and upgrade your existing fiberglass blown-in insulation depth to meet current building codes for R-Value.

How can we help? Call our office at 331-240-2911 now to discuss your needs. Or, as soon as you have any roofing project in mind, no matter the size. We are also always happy to discuss your exterior restoration needs. We have the best residential or commercial roofers Chicago and are among the top-rated roofing companies in the Chicago-land area, providing the best roof system solutions for your home or business.