How to Prevent Heat Loss in Your Roof

In our last post, we discussed ice dams and how they form and offered tips on how to prevent them from developing. We explained that ice dams form due to differences in roof heat. Since the interior of your roof is warmer than the exterior, the snow melts on the interior and is blocked by ice on the exterior. We also learned one way to help prevent ice dams is to stop heat loss from your roof. In this post, we’ll examine just how to prevent heat loss in your roof.

TIPS TO PREVENT HEAT LOSS IN YOUR METAL ROOF

  • Insulate, insulate, insulate. Insulation gets a bad rap thanks to the asbestos debacle decades ago. However, it is your best friend when it comes to heat loss. What insulation does is provide a barrier between the inside of your home and the outside temperature. It not only works to prevent heat loss but also to prevent heat gain in the summer. Insulation is mostly made from recycled materials, such as cellulose (plant fibers) and newspaper. Fiberglass insulation is about 50% recycled glass. Insulation in your attic prevents heat from escaping out through the roof.
  • Check all openings. Another common place to lose heat is openings in your roofing system. This includes chimneys, ventilation, heating and fan vents. All openings should be sealed with flashing (metal components around the outside). A chimney should be draft-proofed; otherwise, it could be a huge drain on your heating system.
  • Dormer windows. Dormer windows are windows that are usually placed inside your roof, often accompanied by their own roof. While aesthetically pleasing, dormer windows can be a huge drain on your heating system. You’ll want to make sure your windows are all sealed with caulking and that there are no leaks around the edges or the flashing.
  • Skylights. Again, while nice to look at and great for natural light, skylights are notorious for letting warm air escape during the winter. Make sure your skylights are properly sealed around the roof, and consider adding a tint or glaze to your windows.
  • Have your roof inspected for holes. By investing in an annual roof inspection, a professional roofer will be able to tell if there are any major air leaks you need to be concerned about, such as holes or critter openings.
  • Invest in a metal roof. Metal roofing is energy efficient and especially helps with cooling. A properly installed metal roof by Mastershake can reduce heat loss by having sufficient airflow underneath.

Mastershake’s metal roofing system will keep your home energy efficient by helping the insulation do its job, and by keeping ice and ice dams off your roof during the cold winter months. We have added crucial elements, such as ice guards and innovative strapping, making Mastershake the best metal roofing system on the market — all backed by a 50-year warranty.

Reach out today to schedule a free roofing estimate.