How Radiant Barriers Help Reduce Ice Dams on Roofs During Winter

Ice dams pose a serious threat to homes in the winter, as heavy snow builds up on the roof and then melts and re-freezes as temperatures shift. This can cause water and ice to get under the roofing shingles, resulting in water damage to your attic and home. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help prevent ice dams from forming in the first place, including having radiant barriers installed in your attic. Here’s how radiant barriers can help reduce ice dams on roofs during the winter.

What Causes Ice Dams in the Winter?

First, it helps to understand what exactly causes ice dams. In many cases, the melting of snow on the roof is caused by an attic that’s too warm. Heat from the attic warms the roof, allowing any snow on top of the roof to melt. As temperatures go down in the evenings, the snowmelt then re-freezes. Therefore, to help prevent ice dams on your roof during the winter, it’s important to focus on your attic. In particular, ensuring this area of your home is properly insulated to prevent energy loss can help.

How Do Radiant Barriers Work?

Radiant barriers are a form of attic insulation that works by reducing solar heat gain. They feature a reflective side that keeps radiant heat from entering the attic. Radiant barriers are thin reflective sheets that are typically installed along the underside of the roof decking to help reflect radiant heat before it can enter the attic. This helps keep the entire attic cooler during the summer, but it also helps prevent the warmth from your home from escaping through the attic in the winter.

How Do Radiant Barriers Differ from Other Types of Attic Insulation?

When most people think about attic insulation, they typically think of pink fluffy rolls of fiberglass or the snow-like look of blown-in insulation. Radiant barriers are distinctly different from these types of insulation, as they work by reflecting radiant heat rather than reducing heat conduction. However, fiberglass and radiant barrier insulation can work together as part of a highly energy-efficient attic system.

Advantages of Radiant Barriers

Many advantages make radiant barriers a smart investment for your home. This space-efficient form of attic insulation works well with other insulation to keep your attic cool and reduce energy loss throughout your home. Radiant barriers are great for homeowners who are looking to save money on their monthly energy bills, as they help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. If you’re looking for ways to improve the comfort of your home and maintain a consistent temperature throughout your home, radiant barriers are a great way to help achieve your goals.

And, as discussed above, radiant barriers help keep your attic cooler, which can help prevent snow from melting on your roof. If you’re looking to prevent ice dams from forming on your roof in the winter, radiant barriers can provide you with a great option for your home.

Learn More About Using Radiant Barriers to Prevent Ice Dams

If you’d like to learn more about radiant barriers and how they can help prevent ice dams from forming on your roof during the winter, contact Texas Pro Insulators today.