Serving Chicago, IL and surrounding areas

HOW DOES ATTIC INSULATION AFFECT MY INTERIOR LIVING SPACE?

An animated pink panther is using a hose to spray insulation material in a wooden attic with a large circular window, showcasing the expertise of a professional roofing company.

Attic insulation provides a vital layer of protection between your residential home and the elements, working in conjunction with your roofing materials to create a comfortable living space. Inadequate attic insulation will drastically increase your heating and cooling bills, while too much insulation affects air flow.

What about the different types of attic insulation—is one better than the others? Should homeowners invest in fiberglass batting insulation or stick with blown in products? Each type has advantages and disadvantages, and the design of your home comes into play.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ATTIC INSULATION ALL YEAR ROUND

Insulation provides a barrier against the passage of heat in and out of your home. In the winter insulation works to keep heated air inside your home. An un-insulated or under-insulated attic space can result in the loss of up to 25% of your home energy. But having a well insulated attic is just as important in the summer months.

Roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles and metal roofing, attract heat from the sun, increasing interior attic temperatures to dangerous levels. That heat seeps into your house, straining the cooling system and decreasing your comfort. This condition presents a major problem when air conditioning duct work runs through the attic, warming up that cooled air before it even reaches your living space.

ATTIC INSULATION AND STORAGE

Many people use their attic for storage, keeping unused or seasonal items out of the way. Inadequate insulation may result in damaged boxes, mold growth and rotten items. Organics, such as paper, wood and clothing, are highly susceptible to damage in the hot, moist environment that results from poor attic insulation.

THE BEST TYPE OF ATTIC INSULATION

Choose between batting insulation, available in wide strips that fit between the ceiling joists to provide good coverage, or blown in products, made from fiberglass or cellulose materials and literally blown in to the space. Depending on your situation, one product may be better than the other.

Batting insulation can be easily installed and allows for a clean space, ideal for storage. The strips can be cut to fit and squeeze into tight space fairly well. Use batting to boost the existing insulation by laying the strips perpendicular to each other. This type is also easy to remove and replace, should your roof leak in the future.

Blown In Owens Corning Attic Insulation

Blown in insulation products offer excellent coverage, fitting into even the smallest gaps and spaces. The installation process is fast and efficient, although you may not be able to store items in the attic due to the loose nature of this product. Blown in products are a wise choice when adding attic insulation.

Find out how much attic insulation is needed by using the Department of Energy’s Zip Code Insulation Program (link – http://www.ornl.gov/~roofs/Zip/ZipHome.html), an online form that takes climate and other factors into account when calculating the ideal amount of insulation.

Keep your living space comfortable and cozy throughout each season with quality attic insulation. This product boosts energy efficiency and may help to protect items stored in the attic area. Talk to your local contractor about adding or replacing your attic insulation to enhance home comfort and efficiency.

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WHY DO YOU NEED TO INSTALL ATTIC VENTS?

Close-up of a roof installation with asphalt shingles and a black ridge vent against a background of green tree foliage.

Well designed roofing must include attic vents to ensure peak efficiency in your home. Without attic vents you can expect the roof deck and roofing to deteriorate much sooner, costing a significant amount of money for repairs and replacement. How do attic vents perform, and what types provide the best value for the average American home? Take a closer look at this small roofing element and find out why you need to include attic vents in your residential home in Arlington Heights.

HOW AN ATTIC VENT WORKS

Roof vents play a vital role in both cooling and heating your home, enhancing efficiency throughout the entire year. Many people know that roof vents help to release hot air trapped in your attic during the warm summer months. This helps to reduce cooling costs, but also helps to avoid roof deck damage due to high levels of humidity in the attic space.

Roof vents are also crucial in the winter months, keeping this space dry and reducing the risk of ice dams on the roof. Ice dams damage shingles and can easily trigger roof leaks. Vents allow your roofing materials to last longer by maintaining a dry, moderate atmosphere in your attic space.

Attic vents maintain air circulation in that area, releasing hot air and moisture and replacing it with fresh, dry air. Consistent temperatures and proper air circulation allow your heating and cooling systems to perform at peak levels, lasting longer and costing less.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF ATTIC VENTS

Close-up of a pink plastic baffle installed in an attic by a roofing company, positioned between roof rafters, with insulation behind it. Round, green metal vent cover mounted on a shingled roof, expertly installed by our roofing company. Close-up of an asphalt shingle roof with a dark ridge vent, set against a backdrop of green tree leaves, showcasing impeccable roof installation. Close-up of a dark-colored roof vent installed on a shingled roof, featuring a rectangular shape and slotted sides for ventilation, expertly placed by our roofing contractor. Illustration showing residential roofing ventilation with arrows indicating airflow from soffit vents below the eaves moving upward and exiting through vents at the roof's peak.

Metal vents offer the most affordable option for attic venting. These static forms provide somewhat adequate ventilation, but only in a limited area. Several vents are required to cover most attic spaces, which increases the chance of leakage. Unless budget is the most important factor, choose another type of attic vent for optimum performance.

Turbine vents are also made of metal and provide limited coverage. However the movement of an internal turbine results in greater airflow throughout your attic space. Better than stationary metal vents, turbine vents deliver mid-range performance at an affordable cost. Multiple vents need to be installed in a standard attic.

Power fan vents take the turbine design one step forward, but require energy to run. Some power fan vents operate with thermostat controls, which eliminate the benefits of attic vents in winter. While this type of roof vent covers more space than turbine vents, the energy required and control limitations make it a poor choice.

Ridge vents provide the optimum amount of coverage in an efficient manner. Installed along the ridge or peak of your roof line, this type of attic vent takes advantage of warm air’s natural movement. Combined with under-eave or soffit vents, ridge vents allow for maximum air movement without using any energy. Because of their unobtrusive design and location, ridge vents do not disrupt the roof line and help to maintain an attractive facade on your house.

Intake vents such as soffit vents are often overlooked but equally important in the design of your roofing system.  This may include soffit vents, under eve vents, continuous soffit vents, vented drip edge vents, or continuous fascia vents.  The air intake area may be equal to or exceed the net free area installed in your roof system.   When heat rises and moves through the exhaust

vents at the peak of your roof, this natural occurrence pulls cooler are from the intake vents and should essentially balance the exhaust vents.

Having the appropriate net free area of intake vents help reduce the amount of moisture and heat buildup which prolongs the life of your building materials, prevents the eves of your home from developing ice dams, and helps reduce the amount of time needed for your HVAC system to heat or cool your home which leads to lower energy bills.

In order to maintain peak efficiency and extend the life of your roof materials, experienced roofing contractors will recommend that you install attic vents or replace the existing vents so call Revived Exteriors today. Metal and turbine vents perform fairly well, but ridge vents and continuous soffit vents remain the optimum choice for most homes. These small elements play a major role on the roof and in the attic, as well as helping to maintain a comfortable atmosphere around your home.

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HAIL DAMAGED ROOF? HOW TO DEAL WITH HAIL DAMAGE ON YOUR HOME?

Close-up of a large hailstone on a wet ground, surrounded by smaller hailstones and a few scattered leaves, reminding homeowners of the importance of residential roofing maintenance.

HAIL DAMAGED ROOF? HOW TO DEAL WITH HAIL DAMAGE ON YOUR HOME?

Storms have shaped the Chicagoland area, and continue to fill the forecast with strong winds and hail. Have you checked your home for hail damaged roof, or other components on the exterior of your home and do you know the signs to look out for? Hail damage can leave your house vulnerable to serious issues. Without a prompt response and hail damage repair services in Arlington Heights IL, hail will severely reduce the value of your property and possibly lower the quality of daily living.

ACT QUICKLY

Ignoring hail damaged roof signs may be  a bad idea for two reasons:

  • Damage Worsens – Roof and siding damage caused by hailstones get worse over time, as deterioration sets in and important features of your home become less and less reliable.
  • Opportunities Expire – Insurance companies place limitations on hail damage claims, meaning that you need to inspect for hail damage roof claims and contact the insurance agent right away in order to file a valid claim.

Homeowners can protect their property and get the most from their insurance coverage by acting quickly after a storm. The longer you wait to tackle hail damage to your roof or siding, the greater risk of loss.

Repairing the hail damage becomes necessary should you desire to sell your property. A battered appearance will shrink the value of your home, and the need for immediate repairs drives buyers away. Living in a home with hail damage is also dangerous, as shingle damage and siding damage can escalate into something worse and end up costing homeowners a fortune in repair bills.

HOW TO GET REPAIRS DONE RIGHT

With the right tools and a close up view, the average homeowner can identify hail damage locations. But the untrained eye cannot accurately assess an entire house, and the services of an expert are required to get repairs done properly.

Hire a contractor to inspect your roof and siding, as well as trim, chimney and other areas of your home that may have been damaged by hailstones.

Contact your insurance agency right away, and have the information provided by your contractor close at hand. You may also need to provide proof of insurance and/or licenses for the contractor, so be sure to ask for those at the inspection.

Hiring the right contractor will ensure your hail damage is repaired properly, on time and on budget. Look for the following characteristics:

  • Established company – not a start up, inexperienced and risky.  This can easily be checked with your local Better Business Burea
  • Local company – not an out-of-state firm that chases storms to cash in on repair needs. An easy telltale sign is out of state license plates.
  • Solid and straightforward warranty – steer clear of contractors that will not provide proof of warranty. Look for manufacturers who are willing to back the contractor’s workmanship warranty.  This is reserved for only the top 2-3% reputable and qualified contractors in the market.
  • High rating with local Better Business Bureau, Google, Facebook, Yelp, Guild Quality and other sites or industry associations – with a reputation for customer service

Hail damage reduces the quality of your roof and siding and could result in a 25 percent drop in property value. Check for damage right after a storm and call a local, established contractor for an inspection. Act fast to protect your property and get your claim filed within the insurance company’s limitations. Call Revived Exteriors today to book an inspection.

Revived Exteriors is your local roofing company in serving our neighbors in Arlington Heights, IL, and Chicagoland suburbs.   We work hard to educate homeowners on everything they need to know how to identify and repair hail damage or wind damage to their homes.

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CAN VINYL SIDING MAKE MY HOME MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT?

A two-story house with green siding, a large front porch with white railings, and hanging flower baskets under a clear blue sky—a project completed by our trusted roofing company.

Efficiency is a top priority these days, with utility bills climbing and environmental concerns mounting. Homeowners wonder whether vinyl siding Arlington Heights IL presents a good option, high on energy efficiency and low on maintenance. Take a good look at the characteristics of this building material to uncover the answer.

 KEEPING YOUR HOUSE WARM

Vinyl siding is manufactured in two layers—capstock and substrate. Titanium dioxide is used in the capstock to protect against fading and wear from UV rays, while the substrate includes limestone for durability and strength.

This dual layer construction helps to block the passage of heat from both sides. Manufactured in lighter tones and colors, vinyl siding deflects the sun’s heat in summer and blocks cold winds in winter. When partnered with insulation and interior finishing (drywall), this product keeps your living space comfortable in all seasons.

Using insulated vinyl siding may drastically improve the energy efficiency of an older home, while installing standard vinyl siding onto a new build helps to maintain peak levels of efficiency.

Vinyl siding is also significantly cheaper than other exterior finishing materials, such as fiber cement siding and brick. Although brick and heavier siding materials may provide a thicker heat barrier, modern designs have resulted in strong and durable vinyl siding that helps to protect your home in any weather.

KEEPING YOUR HOUSE DRY

Extremely resistant to all types of weather, vinyl siding works to maintain the proper level of dryness inside your home. Hard rain, snow and hail cannot penetrate the siding barrier, which protects your insulation, framing and all other interior building materials from harmful conditions like mold, mildew and rot.

Replacing or adding to old insulation without taking care of the outer siding layer will do little for energy efficiency. Keeping moisture away from the insulating layer makes this system work. Consider replacing aged wood siding or crumbling brick with modern vinyl siding products, designed to keep your home dry.

KEEPING YOUR HOME MAINTENANCE LOW

Vinyl siding is also virtually maintenance free. Simply give the siding a thorough wash down with your garden hose and it will appear good as new. This low maintenance design reduces the use of potentially harmful chemicals like stain or paint.

This building material performs consistently without worry. Even after years of use, vinyl and insulated vinyl siding maintain the same level of protection.

KEEPING THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN

Vinyl siding can be expected to last for at least 20 years, with thicker varieties guaranteed for much longer. The lifetime of vinyl allows for less waste due to replacement.

Vinyl siding repairs can be completed with minimal waste, as the panel design allows for the replacement of smaller pieces and components. If storm damage has made dents, cracks and splitting in your vinyl siding, an expert siding installer can quickly and efficiently replace those broken sections, getting your home back to normal in no time.

Are you worried about rising heating and cooling bills or deciding which type of exterior finish to use on your new home? Vinyl siding is designed to keep your home warm and dry, and offers a low maintenance, long-term solution for any climate. Combined with quality insulation and expertly installed, vinyl siding can improve energy efficiency and help to create a more comfortable, attractive home.

If you or someone you know is in the market for upgrading your siding to vinyl siding, call Revived Exteriors to schedule a no obligation consultation.  Check out some of our before and after pictures of vinyl siding on our Facebook Page.

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