How much insulation do I need for my roof?
If you’re not sure how much insulation you have, you can easily check with a roofing contractor. A simple way to check is to use a tool called a “roof penetrometer” — basically a metal rod with a probe on the end. You insert the probe into any crevice or hole in your roof and take a reading. The deeper the probe goes, the less air is holding in your attic, and the higher your insulation is.
How thick do you need to insulate a roof?
There is no “magic number” for how much insulation you need to adequately insulate your roof. It depends entirely on the type of roof you have, how it’s constructed, and your area’s climate. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommends the use of at least 5-10 insulation, but you can go thinner if you live in a cold climate and thicker if you live in a hotter one.
How much insulation do you need for a roof?
The amount of insulation needed to keep the warmest part of your house at a comfortable temperature is determined by the thermal resistance of your roof (R-value) and the temperature difference between the warmest and coolest areas of your home. Your roof’s R-value is typically expressed in insulation thicknesses of either R-5, R-10, or R-15. The higher the R-value, the better your roof is at keeping your home warm, but higher R-values
How much insulation do you need in a home?
There are a few factors used when determining the amount of insulation needed in your attic or walls, such as the size of your home, the construction of the home, and how well it is sealed. To find out how much insulation you need, take your square footage of the unfinished living space and add the amount of space you plan to fill with insulation. For example, if you plan to finish off your unfinished basement and add an additional 300 square feet of living space, add 300 square feet of insulation
How much insulation should I put on a roof?
As a general guideline, the insulation thickness on a sloping or gable roof should be at least five inches of insulation over the highest section of the roof. This is to help keep the warm air that naturally rises toward the peak from escaping, and to keep the roof from acting as a heat sink, which would cause your heating system to work harder to heat your home in winter.
