When you hear the term insulation, you may think of that ugly pink material that is stuffed into the walls of your home. But insulation plays a crucial role in your home and is an absolute necessity for any homeowner to make the home more energy efficient. By making sure you have the right level of insulation and it is going to give you the best results, you can see a drastic difference in your roof and home overall. One area where your home may be lacking in insulation on your home is the roofing in Plymouth Michigan. Here are some tips on what you can do to ensure your home’s insulation is correct.
Why You May Need Insulation in Your Roofing in Plymouth Michigan
Heating and cooling your home is one of the ways your home uses energy. When your HVAC system has to work longer and harder to keep the home cool in summer or warm in winter, the energy used goes through the roof, literally. Higher energy bills won’t go away if your home is not properly insulated. Having proper insulation can cut down on heating and cooling costs and overall save you money month after month. It’s worth taking a look at your home’s roofing and attic insulation.
What Is Insulation’s Role?
Insulation has the job of creating a barrier between the temperature inside your home and out. While your roof or siding keeps the elements out, without insulation your home would have a hard time regulating the interior temperature.
What Happens to Your Roof Without It?
When your roof doesn’t have insulation, it is not able to keep your interior and exterior temperatures separated. That means the hot air in your home can more easily rise and escape through your roof and cold air can come in. it can also allow heat to be absorbed and make it harder to keep your home cool. In the winter this becomes increasingly problematic as any snow on your roof can melt from the heat coming from your home. The cold temperature outside can then refreeze the water and turn it into ice dams on your roof. This can lead to damaged shingles and eventual water leaks.
What Happens If You Don’t Have Enough?
Just because you have some insulation doesn’t mean it is enough. While some insulation is better than nothing, you still can end up will higher energy bills than necessary. The more insulation you have, the more you will be able to protect your home from uneven heating, heat absorption, or roof leaks from ice dams.
What Insulation Works Best for Roofs
Insulation of any kind can work for your roof, but fiberglass and foam are the most common. Fiberglass is what most people think of when they picture insulation, and is the pinkish fabric most people have in their homes. But foam is regarded as the best option in general when it comes to home insulation. This is because foam insulation can be either rigid or sprayed, but can better for a barrier with easier insulation.
Does Insulation Need to Be Replaced?
Older insulation may need to be replaced just because of the risk of chemicals and harmful things like asbestos that has been known to make people sick. If you have any of this insulation in your home you should have it professionally removed from your roof and home to make sure it is done safely. Insulation may also become wet or have mold grow in it. Once insulation is wet it should be replaced to prevent mold or mildew from growing and thriving in your roof. You may also need to replace older insulation to get a better R-value, which is what rates how much it can resist heat absorption.
Can I Do My One Insulation Work?
While it is possible, it is not recommended that you take on the job of insulating your roof yourself. You could be subject to harmful spores, toxic asbestos, or even just miss a spot where insulation is needed. A professional will also be able to make sure you have the adequate level of insulation for your roof’s needs. Be sure to call the experts at Home Pros Plymouth today at 734-548-9911 for a inspection to determine if your insulation is adequate or whether more would be helpful.