SOUTH KANSAS CITY Blog

Essentials of Overland Park Roof Insulation, Do You Need It?

Are you thinking of getting Overland Park roof insulation installed? But wait a minute, is it essentially the same as attic insulation? Not quite! Your local Kansas City insulation pros at Koala Insulation are here to clear some mix-ups, so you don’t end up requesting the wrong service in the future! 

A well-insulated home is the key to ultimate comfort and energy efficiency, but there are just so many areas to consider. Even the smallest crack in a sidewall is enough to be the major source of air leakage that leads to future condensation issues and material deterioration. This makes taking care of your home a pretty difficult task without knowledgeable experts who know where to find problem areas with their professional tools.

Plus, how often do you spend time on your roof or in your attic to look for potential issues, doing a blower door test? The easiest way is to put your trust in Koala’s Overland Park roof insulation services to get a detailed diagnostic and determine the best course of action. In this blog, we want to define the difference between attic and roof insulation in Overland Park, KS, as well as explain whether you urgently need it.

Is There a Difference Between Attic and Roof Insulation?

Overland Park, KS property owners may think the two are essentially the same. It’s easy to think that way when taking into account the ceiling joists and rafters in the attic, which constitute your roof’s structural integrity. Ceiling joists (typically horizontal) are designed to support the rafters (the steep slopes), so they add stability to the ceiling’s overall structure and prevent your roof from sagging.

However, there is a big difference in terms of attic insulation and roof insulation. Overland Park, KS technicians at Koala get this question a lot because there are many articles out there that refer to the two as the same thing. Therefore, we believe that it is essential to define them before further misunderstandings occur.

Attic Insulation 

Your attic is one of the most important spaces throughout your home when it comes to energy efficiency. It determines your indoor air quality and temperature management. Depending on how well the surrounding structures are performing, such as vents, windows, rain gutters and the roof itself, your attic space is also prone to moisture issues. Besides having healthy vents and gutters, and properly air-sealed windows, having efficient attic insulation in place will keep heated furnace air or conditioned AC air in your home, preventing it from rising and dissipating too fast through the ceiling. This way, you have a more even temperature indoors, along with well-circulated air.

Now, attic insulation occurs on the ceiling joists, rafters, walls, and attic floors. 

Roof Insulation 

Overland Park, KS homes with roof insulation have it installed on the roof slopes, under the roof deck. In fact, it is an installation process done when you’re having your roof replaced, or when you’re in the middle of building a new property. Many construction companies use rigid foam insulation for roofs before installing the plywood sheathing on top of it.

Important Note: However, homeowners who are planning a re-roofing project and want to consider Overland Park roof insulation cannot expect long-term benefits. Technically, re-roofing is a form of roof restoration that is more cost-efficient for owners. But installing roof insulation on top of existing shingles will not provide you with the insulating properties that you seek; rather, it could cause a series of issues like water damage, excessive weight, and even strains on your home’s heating and cooling system. That is because a number of layers are required, including roof sheathing (or underlayment) that goes on top of the roof insulation before you even add new shingles.

Ideally, you’re also working on a siding replacement, because exterior walls also need to be modified to support the roof eaves. And depending on whether your rain gutters are in contact with your roofline, they will also need to be disconnected before the start of your Overland Park roof insulation service.   

Do You Need Overland Park Roof Insulation?

Home builders face this question every time they look at a new building project. In truth, an adequate amount of Overland Park roof insulation can contribute a lot to your home’s energy efficiency, but it is not required if you have a vented and well-conditioned attic already with well-performing insulation. Vaulted ceilings like cathedral ceilings or low-slopes are typically insulated, or when your interior attic ceiling is a part of the exterior deck.

It’s also possible to choose between vented and unvented roof insulation. Overland Park, KS service technicians at Koala often explain to our customers that choosing the right vent system highly depends on their roof type, the complexity of its framing, and other factors. Of course, there is also a caveat when thinking about the winter season where you could potentially experience ice dams, so venting becomes crucial.

At Koala, we have seen the best results with closed-cell spray foam insulation, as it provides a decent level of R-value for Overland Park roof insulation and creates a reliable air barrier and thermal barrier. It’s the best choice for either cold climates or warm climates. However, before making any determinations, it’s best to choose a highly qualified pro to run a detailed inspection.

What To Expect From Koala Insulation

Among our certified team of experts are seasoned Overland Park roof insulation pros, who bring many years of experience working in the trades. When serving in the construction and home service industries, they were able to learn from systems that worked and failed. And since then, Koala has benefited from its team’s extensive knowledge and high-quality workmanship to get each job done with professionalism. Our proven track record is thanks to our thoroughness in following every step of the process, from start to finish. 

When you hire our Overland Park roof insulation services, you can expect the following tasks to be done.

Area Inspection and Insulation Testing

A building inspection allows our team to fully examine the insulated or uninsulated space in greater depth. In this case, it could be your existing attic and roof insulation. Besides the infrared imaging tool, we use our professional thermographic imaging device to look for potential air leakage and temperature changes. We’ll be able to determine the exact spots where you experience heat loss and even where you might have moisture issues.

Like a home inspector, our local pros always dedicate a decent amount of time to properly inspect the space where you want to add Overland Park roof insulation. It gives us the opportunity to check if any existing underlying issues need to be addressed, such as moisture and mold damage or venting problems.

If you have existing insulation that is saturated, we’ll offer professional insulation removal services and make sure to prepare the space properly before the new Overland Park roof insulation installation takes place.

Air Sealing

As an important part of the initial insulation installation, air sealing takes place after our attic and roof inspection, during which our experienced team would have marked specific areas that need treatment. We typically just apply air sealing in the attic, around the windows, behind knee walls, inside wall and floor cavities, and other hard-to-reach crooks and crannies. Afterward, we will run another test to ensure that all leaks have been fixed.

Overland Park Roof Insulation Installation

If you have a roof replacement project or are currently building your new home, your insulation pros are more than willing to install your Overland Park roof insulation with ease! We understand that this type of exterior insulation installation can be a huge headache since you also need to take care of all the surrounding systems.

Best Types of Insulation For Roof

• Fiberglass: Fiberglass insulation in the form of pre-cut batts is a good, cost-effective choice. It’s durable and easy to install.
• Rock wool: Also known as mineral wool, it has strong insulating properties and is naturally moisture- and mold-resistant.
• Spray foam: Spray foam insulation is the most durable type out there, providing an indefinite lifespan, along with increased structural stability for your roofing system. 

When it comes to choosing the right Overland Park roof insulation material, our professional team will guide you through our high-quality products, along with their characteristics and costs. 

FAQs About Overland Park Roof Insulation

Many questions revolve around this topic, but for a good reason. Overland Park roof insulation is one of the most complex projects out there, depending on your circumstances. But Koala is here to help and answer any questions you may have. If you have a specific inquiry that is not listed below, feel free to give us a call at (816) 929 8255 and have us go, “Wow! That’s a good question!”

Can You Put Overland Park Roof Insulation Directly On The Roof?

No. The installation occurs on the roof slope under the rafters. Nothing should ever cover the surface of your roofing system.

Does Attic Insulation Suffice Or Do I Also Need Roof Insulation?

Overland Park, KS homeowners are often troubled by this dilemma. It’s safe and correct to say that an insulated attic is more important and more cost-effective than the latter and also enables technicians to take care of the entire closed space without a problem. That alone helps you maintain a more energy efficient home and also lowers your energy costs.

Proper attic insulation helps you save up to 50% on your energy bills; therefore, it not only suffices, but it’s also more important than the latter.

What If I Don’t Know If My Lack of Roof Insulation is Causing Temperature Fluctuations in My Home?

If you’re unable to determine the culprit for uneven heating inside your home, our professionals highly recommend that you hire a certified technician for an inspection or even a detailed energy audit. When you experience a decreased indoor comfort, there are various other systems that could be causing the problem.

It’s less likely that your roof is to blame because your roof is actually not the responsible system for your home’s overall heat. Of course, roofs are designed to protect your home from the elements, and as long as they do that, temperature problems are likely occurring inside your house in the attic. When you hire a Koala technician for Overland Park roof insulation, we’ll get down to the root cause of your issue, but we don’t recommend going ahead with any type of installation because you could risk voiding your roofing’s warranty.

Curious About Efficient Overland Park Roof Insulation?

Whether you’re replacing your current roof or are building a new home, this is the best time to consider an Overland Park roof insulation installation service from your local experts at Koala Insulation of South Kansas City! A highly-rated and accredited home service franchise across the United States, we are committed to delivering excellence, expertise, efficiency, and accountability.  And we strive to build strong relationships with our clients through transparency, clear communication, and courtesy.

Give our friendly and knowledgeable office team a call at (816) 929 8255 to find out more about what we can do to make your working or living space more comfortable, and you know that your home structures are in shape and performing efficiently. 

While you’re here, we invite you to learn more about our solar attic fans and blown-in insulation services.