In a typical home, half or more of its energy loss is through the exterior walls, floor and roof. Proper insulation is vital to reducing these energy losses.
A well-insulated roof and ceiling can make your home more comfortable and quieter, reduce the risk of moisture damage, enhance fire safety, make your home more disaster-resistant, and help guard against pipe freezing.
A new roof can be expensive, but by adding rigid insulating sheathing to the new roof, you'll make the most of your investment.
1.) Contact a professional roofing contractor to schedule a time to have a new roof put on your home. Because roofing is difficult and dangerous, you should hire a professional to do it rather than attempting to do it yourself.
2.) Ask the contractor to add rigid insulating sheathing to your roof prior to adding the new shingles.
3.) Consult with the contractor about whether you will need to order the rigid insulating sheathing materials or whether they will be provided in the cost of the re-roofing project.
4.) If there are air leaks in the ceiling, they should be sealed prior to adding the roof insulation.
Insulate to at least R-5. The R-value indicates the insulation's level of resistance to heat flow. When replacing your roof, insulate the roof deck first with rigid foam insulation that has an insulating value of at least R-5.
Compare contractors' bids for the same R-value. When comparing contractors' bids, make sure they are for the same insulating value (R-value), not just the same number of inches.