Kapella roofing offers a full attic insulation system, which means saving up to $800 a year for homeowners. Insulating your attic can prevent gradual damage to your home caused by heat and moisture. Insulation also prevents water vapor from seeping in and eroding your walls. When properly installed it will slow down heat buildup in your attic, which can cause the shingles on your roof to swell and crack or cause the plywood on your deck to soften. Unlike other companies who offer just single components, Kapella Roofing is proud to provide our customers with a Full Attic Insulation System consisting of e air sealing, blown in insulation to R49, and a radiant barrier of R11 for a total of R60. An insulating material’s resistance to conductive heat flow is measured or rated in terms of its thermal resistance or R-value. So the higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness. The R-value depends on the type of insulation, its thickness and its density. Based on recommendations from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC),, the requirement for Colorado attics should be insulated to R-values between R49-R60, which is why we insulate for maximum protection and savings for our customers.
When it comes to attic insulation some people make the mistake of sticking to one method or another. Oftentimes homeowners assume that a single insulation method, such as, blown-in insulation, radiant barriers, rolls etc. is all that is needed. When we install attic insulation we go the extra mile and do air sealing, radiant barrier and blow-in insulation. The main reason is because if you only do one of the three there is a very high chance you’re not fully covered. You will not be taking full advantage of saving an average of 15 percent on your heating and cooling bill, and you risk moisture damage and wood erosion.
Let’s break down the three steps of a Full Attic Insulation System, including the components of each step, the materials and processes, and why and how it maximizes the benefits for our clients.. If you want to learn even more about the types, costs, and benefits of attic insulation, check out our article on Attic Insulation 101 and then learn more about our Full Attic Insulation System below.
Air Sealing
Air sealing is a huge first step when it comes to insulation, lowering your heating and cooling bills, and staying clear from weather damage. The cool air inside will fall and get pushed out at the bottom, causing hot air to enter at the top. Air sealing can slow down this process as it prevents air leaks. Which in turn, allows the HVAC, heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment to work efficiently and keep the cool air or the warm air within the house. Whether you need to keep cool in the summer or warm in the winter, air sealing ensures that you can keep the desired temperature in the living space and out of the attic.
When it comes to air sealing we use top of the line foam material like you see in the picture above. This comes in a can and is sprayed behind and under knee walls, dropped soffits that are open to the attic, holes for plumbing and pipes, wiring holes, furnace flue or duct chaseway and anywhere else there can be air flow. If you fail to complete this essential first step, you can be sure that air will push through any hole or crevice and will not only raise your cooling or heating bill, but will eventually cause condensation which can lead to eroding of the walls and wood.
Blown-in Insulation
Blown-in insulation fills between existing wall studs and ceiling joists quickly and easily, and can be installed in any attic space, regardless of how the roof has been constructed. This type of insulation can last for up to 25 years, and is the most reliable and cost effective insulation type.. The installment requires an experienced team and specialized equipment and most often can be done in just one day depending on the size of the attic. Not only does it reduce condensation, work as a fire protection, and have soundproofing benefits, but it also saves on energy. The blown-in material locks in cooler indoor attic temperatures in summer and prevents heated and cooled air from leaking out.
There are quite a few different brands of blown-in insulation, but here at Kapella Roofing we use Owens Corning or Certainteed R-49. Extensive research supports that both Owens Corning and Certainteed are top quality for increased efficiency, heating and cooling savings and providing a more comfortable living space.
Radiant Barrier
The final step for a Full Attic Insulation System are the radiant barriers that reflect radiant heat rather than absorbing it. Traditional insulation works by slowing conductive heat flow while radiant barriers work by reducing radiant heat gain. This heat transfer method switches from radiant heat to conductive heat to move through the attic insulation and into your home. The bottom line is, to get the full spectrum of insulation you need a radiant barrier in addition to your traditional insulation! It not only prevents up to 97% of solar radiation, but also reduces attic temperatures by up to 30ºF. Whether incorporating a radiant barrier into an existing home, or installing one while you’re getting a new roof, our certified installers can complete this in just 1-2 days, depending on the size of your attic.
At Kapella Roofing, we are proud to use E-Shield R-11. E-Shield is a state-of-the-art insulation product that features both a high R value and E value because of its NASA-created high density fiberglass core. E-Shield attic energy barrier qualifies for most federal, state and energy company energy efficiency rebates as well.
Essentially R-value is a measure of thermal resistance, or the ability to prevent the transfer of heat. The larger the number, the harder that insulation is working at preventing heat conduction. The less heat loss, the lower your energy bills. According to the Department of Energy, properly insulating the attic can save 10 to 50 percent on a typical heating bill. Again, a total of between R38 and R60 is recommended for Colorado, but check with your local building department to see about your specific city or county.
Whether you’re a new homeowner or you’ve been in your current home for awhile, take advantage of our free, professional attic inspections to ensure you’re getting the maximum protection, benefits, and savings from your attic insulation system. Call us directly at 303-619-7640 today!