November 4, 2024

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Fast Facts About Roof Installation, Insulation, & Gutter Guards

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Our team answers homeowner questions every weekend on WCCO 830 AM from 9:00 am-10:00 am.  Have your most pressing home improvement quandaries addressed by calling or texting 651-461-9226.  Here’s the must-know information our COO, Andy Lindus shared on 7.23.22.     

What Should I Know About Home Insulation Services?

Homeowners often think of insulation when they consider ways to improve home energy efficiency.  However, home insulation should be done in tandem with attic air sealing.  Attic air sealing is the process of eliminating air leaks from reaching the attic, which can help maintain a consistent temperature throughout a home.  In addition, proper levels of attic ventilation are needed in order for ice dam prevention.  If an insulation contractor is only offering to add additional home insulation in order to improve home energy efficiency, they are likely not getting to the root of issues a homeowner may be experiencing.  It’s a good sign if the insulation contractor services you are working with are using diagnostic tools throughout your home to get a better understanding of its building envelope.

spray foam insulation

What’s The Best Type Of Home Insulation For New Construction?

When interviewing insulation contractor services, it’s important to understand the types of home insulation they suggest and why.  In most cases, the best approach an insulation contractor can take is to apply 2 ½ inches of spray foam insulation as the vapor barrier.  Next cellulose insulation can be applied to get the attic to R-60.  With the proper attic air chutes and a ridge venting system, the home’s energy efficiency can be maximized.  Ridge vents are preferable because they are installed at the very peak of the roof and allow an attic’s hot air to exit.  The goal of home insulation and ventilation is to create a temperature in the attic that is like the outdoors.  This is the best way for ice dam prevention to occur.

spray foam

What Kind Of Home Insulation Should I Use Vaulted Roof Replacement?

The first step in this roof installation process is to take off the roof deck and remove the roof insulation.  That area should be filled with spray foam insulation.  The area must then be re-decked.  It is important that the shingles are not exposed to too much heat escape, or the longevity of the roof replacement can be compromised.

What Type Of Roof Replacement Is Best?

Not all roofing contractors use the same quality of shingles.  GAF offers asphalt shingles that are accompanied with a 50-year, non-prorated warranty on labor and materials.  It is important to know that not all roofing companies can offer this type of warranty or installation.  That’s because they can only be offered on the highest quality roof installation materials.  Many times, shingles that qualify for the 50-year, non-prorated roof replacement are Class 4 impact-resistant shingles.  Examples of these types of shingles include GAF Glenwood and Timberline® AS II Shingles.  A Class 4 impact rating means that the shingles are designed to hold up against hail damage roof repair.     

See A Completed Roof Installation Project:

What Type of Gutter Guards Are The Best For Metal Roofs?

LeafGuard® Gutters work well with metal roofing. That’s because the home gutter system is shaped to discourage anything except liquid water from entering the gutter drainage system.  In the winter months, snow often exits a metal roof in sheets.  With ordinary open gutter systems, large amounts of snow exiting a metal roof can pull off the gutter protection systems and soffit and fascia installation.  LeafGuard® Gutters are accompanied with a lifetime warranty that stipulates if the system is ever damaged or pulls loose due to snow or ice, the gutter installation will be replaced or fixed free of charge.

Inver Grove Heights Metal Roof

Listen To The Entire Roof Installation & Insulation Video Here: