Insulation and Ventilation

Are you tired of skyrocketing energy bills? Do you struggle with rooms that are too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter? The unseen, often-neglected system in your attic is likely the cause. Your home’s insulation and ventilation work as a team to regulate its temperature, manage moisture, and protect its structural integrity. At New Roof, Inc., we provide expert insulation and ventilation services designed to make your Ann Arbor home more comfortable, efficient, and durable.

A high-performance home is a complete system where every part works in harmony. As a licensed builder since 1978, we bring a comprehensive understanding of building science to every project. When you call, you’ll consult directly with Jeff, the owner, whose 40+ years of experience allow him to diagnose home performance issues, not just treat symptoms. To schedule a professional assessment of your home’s efficiency, call New Roof, Inc. today at (734) 665-5555.

The Unseen System Controlling Your Home’s Comfort & Costs

Many homeowners believe that simply piling up more insulation is the key to an efficient home, but it’s only half of the equation. True performance comes from a balanced system.

Insulation: Your Home’s Thermal Barrier

Proper insulation, typically blown-in fiberglass or cellulose in an attic, acts like a thick blanket. In the winter, it slows the escape of expensive heat from your living space into the attic. In the summer, it prevents the intense heat of the sun-baked attic from radiating down into your home, reducing the strain on your air conditioner.

Ventilation: Protecting Your Home from Moisture and Heat

A constant, gentle flow of air through your attic is essential. A system of soffit, baffle, and ridge vents allows cool, dry air to enter at the eaves and push hot, moist air out at the peak. This airflow prevents moisture buildup that can lead to mold and rot, and it expels super-heated air in the summer that would otherwise bake your shingles from below.

Solving Ann Arbor’s Biggest Homeowner Headaches

In our specific Michigan climate, a balanced insulation and ventilation system is the number one solution for two major problems that plague local homeowners.

The #1 Defense Against Destructive Ice Dams

Ice dams form when heat escaping from your living area warms the underside of your roof, melting the snow. This water runs down to the cold edge of the roof and refreezes, creating a “dam” of ice. Water backs up behind this dam, seeping under shingles and causing severe leaks. Our services keep the entire roof deck uniformly cold, preventing the initial melting and stopping ice dams before they can ever form. This is the only permanent solution.

A Year-Round Solution for High Energy Bills

By preventing heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, a properly insulated and ventilated attic provides significant energy savings all year long. It’s one of the most effective upgrades you can make to lower your bills and reduce your home’s carbon footprint.

A Holistic Approach to Your Home’s Performance

Our deep expertise in the entire building envelope allows us to see the complete picture of your home’s health, ensuring lasting solutions.

• Our foundation in residential roofing means we understand that ventilation is a critical part of a long-lasting roof system.
• This principle applies to all structures; we also analyze and improve energy performance for commercial roofing clients and those with flat roof systems.
• After performing water and storm damage repairs, we always inspect the attic, as water-logged insulation loses its effectiveness and must be replaced.
• A truly efficient home considers all components, including well-sealed siding and windows and proper sealing around potential air leaks like those near chimney repairs.

Our commitment to quality across all these areas is why our clients trust us. You can read their feedback on our reviews page and see the full scope of our capabilities on our main Ann Arbor services page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Home Performance

How do I know if I have enough attic insulation?

Common signs of under-insulation include high heating and cooling bills, second-story rooms that are much hotter or colder than the first floor, and the formation of ice dams in winter. For our climate zone, the Department of Energy recommends a specific insulation level, or “R-value.” We can measure your current insulation depth and let you know if you are properly protected.

Won’t adding more vents just let cold air into my attic during the winter?

This is a common misconception, but a cold attic in winter is exactly what you want! The insulation on your attic floor is what separates the cold attic from your warm house. The ventilation is designed to keep the attic itself cold and dry, which prevents the snow on your roof from melting and protects the roof structure from moisture damage. It does not make your living space colder.

My house is relatively new. Shouldn’t the insulation be adequate?

Unfortunately, many builders only install the minimum amount of insulation required by building codes at the time of construction. These minimum standards are often not enough for optimal energy efficiency or comfort. Upgrading to the levels recommended by programs like ENERGY STAR® can provide significant improvements in both comfort and cost savings.