Have you ever been in your attic or even just opened the door to it in the summer? When the temperature rises outside, it also rises inside your attic. In some attics it gets unbearably hot. That is a problem in and of itself, which is further exacerbated by the fact that the heat does not just stay in the attic.
Your Attic and Your Home: Exterior and Interior Factors
The heat that accumulates in the attic can spread through the entire house. This will make you more uncomfortable and will make it harder to control the temperature in your home. Addressing the heat in your attic is therefore also a part of the solution to the heat in your home.
The attic can cause similar issues during the cold winter months. Your attic can suck the heat out of your home, which means you have to heat extra to keep the temperature at a comfortable level in your home. For you this equals wasted energy and higher utility costs.
Thankfully it does not have to be that way. There are several solutions to control the temperature in your attic. The two major ways are the following:
Attic Ventilation with Soffits
One of the ways to control the temperature in your attic is to make sure that it is ventilated sufficiently and correctly. Some roofs have vents built into them, in the form of exhaust vents such as turbines, box, power vents, or ridge vents. If so, they are on top of your roof and are relatively easy to spot. Next time you have to replace your roof, you could have them installed.
Another way to vent your attic is by having vented soffits. These intake vents are located on the edge of your house on the underside of your roof. They allow hot air to escape the attic and cool air to enter. There need to be enough soffit vents in relation to the size of the attic in order to be most effective.
Make sure the soffit vents are kept clean and are not painted over. Only if the air can flow through them and there are enough vents, can the heat from your attic escape that way. If the attic traps too much hot air and the temperature rises too high, it can even damage the roof and the shingles.
When hot air is trapped in the attic, it can also increase the moisture levels. That in turn can cause the wood to rot and mold to grow. The added ventilation from soffit vents increases the air circulation and prevents the buildup of moisture and other similar problems.
Install Attic Insulation
Another thing you can do to keep the heat out of your attic is to install insulation. Insulation helps to keep hot air out of your home. It can prevent both heat loss as well as heat gain. It works very effectively as a barrier for extreme temperatures.
Furthermore, when you have insulation installed, we can seal cracks, holes, and gaps to keep hot air from entering your home. Air leaks can not only increase your utility bill, they can also become big enough to let in water. Water damage causes an entirely different set of problems.
Installing insulation is a very effective way to keep your attic from heating up as much. It helps make your home more energy efficient and reduces your utility bills. The better the R-value of the insulation, the better it will insulate and the more money you will save.
Colorado Siding Repair Can Help
If your attic stores heat and lets it seep into the rest of your home, we can help. We can evaluate the source of the problem and point out the best course of action. We are your trusted siding guide, and both vented soffit and insulation are part of what we do as well.
We install all parts of siding, including the trim, soffit, and fascia. If your attic is always hot, vented soffits are a great way to address that. We can offer you several great options and the soffit can be installed independently or when it is time to replace your siding.
Furthermore, we install two different types of insulation: spray foam insulation and fiberglass batts. We can look at your home and help you decide which option is best for you. Every home is unique and we will take that into account when suggesting the best solution for yours.
We are here for you and ready to help with your next exterior home remodeling project. In addition to installing siding and insulation, we also install windows and paint the exterior of your home. We can create an exterior that is beautiful and with a matching look for everything.
Colorado Siding Repair is proud to be a James Hardie Elite Preferred contractor. Our team members are factory trained and can expertly install these premium products. We are happy to talk you through all of your siding options and help you find the solution that is best for you.
Do not hesitate to contact us with any of your questions, including problems with your hot attic. We will never just try to make a sale but instead take the educational approach, without applying pressure. That way you have all the facts to make an informed decision.
Contact Colorado Siding Repair today to get a hassle-free quote. Let’s get the heat out of your attic and your home’s exterior looking beautiful!