Whether you're in an existing or new construction home, roof insulation can reduce energy consumption and your overall carbon footprint. It's one of the most affordable and impactful energy-saving projects that you can undertake, and it also keeps your heaters and air conditioners from working overtime in the hot summer months.

Properly insulating your roof and attic prevents heated or cooled air from escaping, which can significantly decrease your energy bills in the long run. However, there are many different types of insulation and the best one for your house depends on a variety of factors.

The R-value is a measurement of the resistance to heat flow of the material used in the roof and ceiling assembly, wall, or floor. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation's performance.

Different materials offer different R-values. The type of insulation you choose will affect your R-value as well.

There are two primary ways that heat moves within the attic and roof structure of your house: convection and conductivity. Convection occurs when heated or cooled air rises, and it can lead to significant heating and cooling costs in your house.

If the heat in your attic is concentrated in certain areas of the room, it can cause moisture problems and damage your shingles. This is why a good quality of roof insulation is so important. Insulation can reflect radiant heat back into the room and keep it cooler, reducing humidity and condensation.

The most popular style of roof insulation is blanket-style or blown-in insulation, which is a pliable insulator made from fiberglass, natural fibres, rock and slag wool, cellulose, and sleek foils. Blown-in insulation can be installed in the attic without removing the existing shingles, and it is one of the easiest types of insulation to install for DIYers.

This kind of insulation can be blown into an attic space in loose or dense forms, and it will fill the entire attic space to ensure that no holes are left. It is a great choice for attics with poor ventilation and low pitch roofs, since it can help to block off air leaks.

The other main advantage of this style of insulation is that it does not settle or deteriorate over time. It can even be blown into small spaces, such as attic corners and around attic vents.

Blown-in insulation can be a more expensive option than other insulation, but it offers multiple advantages, including a reflective barrier, a guard against condensation, and flame-resistant protection. It's a good idea to have this insulation installed by a professional, especially in cases where the attic is difficult to access.

Another option is to use rigid foam boards to insulate your roof. These are a popular choice because they provide a high R-value and are also dimensionally stable, meaning that they won't shrink or lose their R-value over time. The most common types of rigid foam boards are polystyrene, polyisocyanurate, and polyurethane.