Employing spray foam in your attic is a simple yet effective means of boosting your home’s energy efficiency, particularly when it comes to upgrading existing homes. Many older homes come with various unsealed areas, such as drop ceilings, bulkheads, and plumbing and electrical service penetrations. Additionally, leaky ducts and duct penetrations can contribute to energy loss. Simply adding traditional, air-permeable insulation isn’t enough to tackle these issues. That’s where spray foam insulation and air sealing come into play.
When it comes to applying spray foam, you have options: it can be used on the attic floor for air sealing or insulation or on the underside of the roof deck to encapsulate the entire space. The decision depends on factors like the presence of ductwork, the accessibility of the attic floor, and any plans to convert the attic into a living space. If there are challenges accessing the attic floor or conversion plans are in the works, insulating at the roof deck creates what’s known as an “Unvented attic.”
Insulating the attic floor
Traditionally, homes featured vented attics, allowing air to move through for moisture control. To meet building codes, homeowners historically insulated the attic floor. While this may still be viable, proper air sealing is crucial to prevent conditioned air from escaping. Spray foam is an excellent choice for attic floor insulation, serving as an air-impermeable material and a powerful insulator. This keeps conditioned air within the living area and prevents unwanted warm or cool air from the attic, causing issues like condensation and mold.
Unvented attics
In an unvented attic, insulation is applied to the interior side of the roof deck. Spray foam excels in unvented attics, acting as both insulation and an air barrier. Its expansion upon application fills gaps and seals air leaks in attic walls and the roof. The need for ventilation is eliminated, as spray foam effectively controls moisture levels, protecting the roof sheathing. Ductwork remains in conditioned space, preventing wasted conditioned air and reducing energy loss.
Unvented attics also address the loss of conditioned air through the attic (known as the stack effect), making homes more comfortable in both winter and summer. Unvented attics can reduce heating loads by approximately 10 percent in colder climates. Spray foam, acting as an adhesive, secures the roof deck during high winds. The absence of vent openings in unvented attics minimizes the risk of wind-driven rain and snow ingress.
A great choice for new and existing construction
Unvented attics offer energy savings for both new and existing construction. New buildings can be seamlessly integrated during construction with spray foam applied directly to the underside of attic walls and the roof, ensuring continuous coverage and maximum air sealing. For existing buildings, the versatility of spray foam allows it to be applied around obstacles and into hard-to-reach spaces.
Energy efficiency of unvented attics
Unvented attics bring ductwork into conditioned space, preventing wasteful leaks and reducing energy loss. They also limit heat loss/gain through mechanical equipment and address the stack effect, enhancing comfort in various seasons. In summary, unvented attics, especially when paired with spray foam, emerge as a holistic solution for achieving an energy-efficient home.
In conclusion, Logik Roofing and Insulation stands out as the go-to choice for homeowners seeking insulation experts in Toronto and the GTA. Their expertise in employing spray foam for traditional and innovative unvented attic floors ensures optimal energy efficiency. Trust Logik Roofing for a comprehensive solution that enhances comfort and reduces energy loss in both new and existing constructions.
