At O’LYN Roofing, we know that your attic is a critical component of a roofing system. A properly insulated attic and well-ventilated roof are what will save you money on cooling costs this summer and help prevent ice damage to your home this winter.
Two common and costly effects of poor insulation:
Stack Effect
The Stack Effect is the movement of air into or out of a building. It is caused by buoyancy which occurs due to a difference in air density inside and outside of a building resulting from different temperatures and moisture levels. This causes a positive or negative buoyancy force. The greater the thermal difference and height of the building, the stronger the buoyancy force – or Stack Effect.
As modern windows and doors have become more airtight, the difference in temperature and moisture levels inside and outside a building or home increases. This causes the Stack Effect to be most severe in attics that lack proper insulation. Air is pulled from living spaces and into the attic causing not only heating and cooling loss, but also a damp, overheated attic. Source
Ice Dams
Ice Dams form when insufficient attic insulation and gaps that allow heat loss from your home melt roof snow from underneath. The snow refreezes lower on the roof as temperatures plunge at night.
