Unvented Attic Spray Foam Insulation
An unvented attic, also known as a hot roof, is a popular option for ensuring your attic is not the root cause of heat or energy loss during hot and cold seasons. At Greenlink Energy Solutions, we have a great deal of experience when it comes to installing unvented attic spray foam insulation. Read on to learn the benefits of unvented versus vented attics.
Unvented Attics Vs Vented Attics
There are two options available to those looking to mitigate energy loss via their attic and improve overall comfort levels in the home. The first option is to make your attic a vented attic, and the second option is to leave it unvented and fully insulated. We will briefly discuss the pros and cons associated with each of the two options, but the right one for you will depend on your home. As part of our 360° holistic approach to building science, we will evaluate each component of your home as a part of a system, which will help us determine your home’s current energy efficiency, which areas of the home need to be addressed and in what order they should be addressed, and which will allow us to outline a plan tailored specifically to your home.
Vented Attics
Vented attics make use of a combination of both intake and exhaust vents that allow for fresh outdoor air to enter the attic space, and hot indoor air to be pushed outside. These vents can either be static vents that allow for air to naturally enter and leave the space, or they can be powered fan vents that will push and pull air through the attic. This helps to improve your energy efficiency where heating and cooling the home is concerned.
But vented attics can introduce moisture into the attic, which can lead to mold growth. The attic will also likely experience temperature swings and will not be a suitable conditioned space for the storage of certain personal belongings.
Unvented Attics
An unvented attic, also known as a conditioned attic, is a newer method of ensuring your attic is energy efficient. Rather than using vents, an unvented attic space requires that the attic be air sealed, preventing airflow from exiting or leaving the space. We then line the attic with spray foam insulation. This keeps your attic from getting too hot and prevents the heat in your attic from escaping.
This is, however, a more expensive attic insulation option. And you may have to check with your roofing contractor to ensure that the installation of an unvented attic will not nullify the warranty on your roofing. This is because, in the past, there were concerns that utilizing spray foam insulation could lead to the roof getting too hot, causing damage. While this isn’t the case, and many manufacturers have updated their warranty policy to allow for the installation of an unvented attic, you may want to double-check.
Which option is right for you may depend entirely on your home’s existing structure. But if you’re at all interested in learning more about unvented attic spray foam insulation, contact us today for a free assessment and estimate from the pros at Greenlink Energy Solutions. Let us help ensure your home is as comfortable and energy efficient as possible.