For those not in the insulation field, the differences between attic insulation and roof insulation can be hard to distinguish. While both aim to better insulate your home and to reduce heating and cooling bills, there are a few things to know about these types of insulation installations.
Attic Insulation vs. Roof Insulation: What’s The Difference?
The biggest difference between these two types of insulation is where they are installed. Attic insulation is installed in the ceiling plane, while roof insulation is installed on the roof slope itself, above and below the rafters.
How Do I Know If I Need More of Either?
It’s easy to see if your home is lacking either of these types of insulation, throw on some gloves, grab your ruler, and simply measure the thickness of your insulation layer. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends adding more insulation if you measure less than 11 inches of rock wool or fiberglass, or less than 8 inches of cellulose.
Which is More Common to be Lacking in Kansas City Homes?
Most homes, including Kansas City, are lacking in roof insulation. Many builders primarily insulate the attic because it is cheaper and easier to install, and roof insulation is often under insulated.
If I Only Have a Little Money, Which Should I Do First?
In an ideal world, homeowners would have adequate attic and roof insulation, but in the real world, that is not always feasible. If you have a set budget for upgrading your home’s insulation, go for the attic insulation first, as it is cheaper to install and more profitable for you in the long run.
Which Will Save Me More Money?
Attic insulation will save you the most money initially, since the insulation is in the ceiling plane, which is the first layer of insulation between your home’s temperature and the temperature outdoors.
Hopefully you now have a better understanding of the differences, pros, and cons of both roof insulation and attic insulation. Both are critical to provide adequate insulation for your home, and provide substantial energy savings when installed correctly.