Rebuilding an Attic for Better Comfort, Efficiency, and Ice Dam Protection

Michelle was dealing with several problems that pointed directly toward the performance of her attic. Her energy bills were high, the second floor was difficult to keep comfortable, and she wanted to remove the existing old insulation and properly re-insulate the attic. Another important concern was reducing ice damming during Pittsburgh winters.

Instead of simply adding new insulation over the old material, we took a more comprehensive approach.

The project included removing the existing insulation so the attic could be properly addressed before installing the new insulation system. With the old material out of the way, the important air leakage areas could be assessed and treated.

Our team completed comprehensive attic air sealing, along with targeted improvements throughout the attic. The work included addressing the attic access, top plates, chimney-related leakage areas, and additional areas identified as part of the attic improvement plan.

Why is air sealing so important before installing new insulation?

During the winter, heated air from inside the home can escape through openings in the ceiling and enter the attic. That unwanted heat can contribute to warming the roof deck. Under the right winter conditions, snow can melt higher on the roof and then re-freeze near colder roof edges, contributing to ice dam formation.

Air leakage can also work against the homeowner throughout the rest of the year. Conditioned air escaping into the attic means the heating and cooling system must work harder, while rooms directly below the attic can become more difficult to keep comfortable.

The completed project gives the home a stronger air and thermal boundary designed to reduce unnecessary energy loss, improve upstairs comfort, and address the conditions that can contribute to ice damming.

For homeowners who have old attic insulation, high utility bills, uncomfortable upstairs rooms, or recurring ice dams, simply adding another later of insulation may not address the entire problem. What happens underneath the insulation can be just as important as the insulation itself.