The winter season is in full swing in Huntsville and many other regions in Alabama. Most of you would want to know how to keep yourself warm and comfy when the temperature drops to below zero.
The good news is that staying warm without cranking up the heater is possible in this season. Here, our Huntsville roofing experts share some tips to help keep yourself warm during the winter season.
1. Attic Insulation
One of the foremost pieces of advice to keep yourself warm during the winter months is to insulate the attic. The attic is the prime point of entry for cool winds. You can make your house warmer during winter and lower the electricity bill by insulating the attic.
You may consider following the advice of Energy Star for the insulation of your attic. Add an insulating material with an insulation rating of at least R-38. The insulation material should be ideally 14 inches for maximum benefits.
If you already have insulated your attic, you should find out if it is properly insulated. Look for uneven spots or floor joints that show inadequate insulation.
You can also add an additional insulation material on top of the existing material to warm the roof. But you need to take special care when adding insulation material. If adding loose fill to an existing fiberglass blanket, the fiberglass material should be unfaced. It should not have foil or paper backing.
Moreover, the loose fill must be installed by an experienced Alabama roofing contractor. The application of the loose fill requires a blowing machine to ensure proper insulation.
2. Roof Replacement
A roof replacement job can also help keep your home warmer during winter. You should replace your old roof with slate roofing that can withstand high winds and blizzards. This roofing material has good durability and superior insulation property.
But you need to make sure that your house can handle the extra weight. If properly installed, a slate roof can last for up to 100 years. You may not have to replace a slate roofing during your lifetime.
3. Roof Maintenance
You must inspect your roof to make sure that it is in good condition. The roof of your house should be free of any cracks or leaks. Consider hiring a Huntsville roofing expert for a visual inspection of your house roof before the onset of snow.
Our experienced Huntsville roofer will visually inspect the condition of the roof. The roofing expert will also inspect the gutters and drainpipes. In case of any damages, the professional roofer will provide you with an estimate for repairing the roof.
Keeping your roof in the best condition is important to keep your house warm. It will prevent cold drafts from entering your house. Moreover, your house can retain warm air inside, thereby reducing the need to increase the temperature.
4. Cap Unused Chimneys
Most homeowners today rarely use the fireplace to keep warm inside the house. Many rely on an indoor heater to keep warm. If this is also the case with you, consider capping the chimney with a professional, which will help retain the maximum amount of heat for the winter season.
Chimneys are the main area of heat loss. Cool air gets inside the house and warm air escapes outside through the chimney. By capping the chimney, you can retain maximum warm air inside.
You should also consider a removable chimney balloon or damper. You can enjoy a fireplace whenever you want by removing the damper.
The above are just some of the tips to keep yourself warm during the winter months. Make sure that you call a Huntsville roofing expert for roof maintenance and replacement. An expert roofer will properly install your roof so that your house will remains pleasant all year round.