The Importance of Attic Insulation for Your Roof

At Lyons Roofing, we’re obviously big believers in proper roof maintenance. But did you know that one of the most important aspects of maintaining your roof doesn’t have anything to do with what’s on top of it? We’re talking, of course, about insulation. Making sure your attic is properly insulated not only has huge benefits for the interior of your home, it also helps your roofing system stay strong throughout the winter and last longer in general. Keep reading to learn about the importance of attic insulation for your roof, and remember that you can call our experienced roofers for all your residential roofing needs.

The Ways Proper Attic Insulation Helps Your Roof

1. Ice Dams: When winter temperatures hit extreme lows, and snow starts to fall on your roof, ice dams may begin to form. These are the long icicle-looking things that overhang your roofing system. Not only are ice dams extremely dangerous for people walking under them, they can also cause substantial damage to your roof. Fortunately, in Arizona, where temperatures never get too low, this probably isn’t something you have to worry about. But if you live in another part of the country that does regularly get snow during the winter, making sure your attic is properly insulated will help keep your roof warmer, so there is less of a chance that ice dams will form.
2. Failing Roof Materials: Attic insulation helps lock temperatures into your house and decrease air loss, which is extremely important for increasing your overall comfort, reducing your energy bill, and cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions. But as we already alluded to, locking in temperatures is also important for your roofing system. The more temperatures swing back and forth on your roof, the greater chance there is that your roofing materials will start to crack and break. This is especially true if your roof has experienced any kind of damage. Speaking of which…
3. Water Damage: If your roof has experienced a major storm or even been hit with a lot of heavy rain, there is a good chance that it will start to soak up that moisture, potentially leading to water damage. This can manifest in the form of sagging roof decks, rusted metal/nails, or cracked tiles and singles. By making sure your roof is properly insulated, there is less a chance that this water damage will stick around, as the temperature of the roof itself will be warmer and the moisture that has soaked up will dry up sooner rather than later.
4. Mold Growth: Another lingering side effect of water damage? Mold growth. Obviously, mold growth inside your house is nasty-smelling and funny-looking, and breathing in an excess amount of mold spores can also have a negative effect on your health. But did you know that mold growth can damage your roof, too? The good news, as we stated above, is that if your attic is properly insulated, there is less chance it will retain the amount of moisture needed to lead to mold growth.
5. Additional Interior Damage: As damage adds up on your roof over time, you may start to eventually see blowback inside your house, too. This could mean cracks and drafts, leaks and sagging, and even roof collapses in a worst-case scenario. Attic insulation helps reduce the kind of temperature fluctuations and water damage that often leads to these problems. Bottom line: installing insulation alone is not going to be enough to protect your roof, but it can go a long way towards making sure your house is comfortable and your roofing system lasts for years to come.

To learn more roofing tips and tricks or to schedule an appointment, just call Lyons Roofing now at (520) 447-2522. You can also request a roof repair by contacting us online.