The attic of the home is the upper most portion of the dwelling, which still remains on the interior.

Attic Insulation
The insulation in the attic area retards the warm or cool air from escaping the living area. One of the least expensive and easiest ways to reduce heating and cooling costs is to properly insulate the attic area. Most modern construction is insulated with fiberglass rolls or batts. Please don’t hesitate to contact Custom Home Inspections if you should have any questions regarding your homes R-factor.

Sheathing
The roof sheathing is normally visible from the attic area. The sheathing is the material used over the rafters but under the roofing finished material. The most common type of sheathing used is plywood. It adds structural strength to the building and if kept dry has a very long life expectancy. Plywood and other laminated woods can sustain substantial damage if roof leaks are not repaired or poor venting causes condensation. Older homes and homes with exotic heavy roofs may be sheathed with wood planks. This type of sheathing is expensive but extremely durable. It is less prone to water damage because the boards used are whole pieces rather than glued or laminated and because they are smaller they allow air movement more easily, which helps prevent condensation damage.

Ventilation
Attic venting is another very inexpensive way to reduce energy costs, prolong roof life, and make the living space more comfortable. Many homeowners cover the attic vents in the winter to conserve heat and forget to remove the covering in the summer, which reduces roof life and cause massive damage to the sheathing and insulation. Attic venting can be passive such as soffit and gable vents, or it can be power assisted such as an attic roof fan. Power venting of the attic is the best way to quickly remove moisture and heat build up, but it must be checked carefully that it has adequate passive vents to allow air to pass through rather than draw from the living space.