One of THE best ways to prevent ice dams forming on your roof’s edge is to make sure your attic space has the correct insulation level. Effective insulation resists the transfer of heat. Meaning warmth stays inside your roof and cold stays outside, preventing the snow melt that causes ice dams to form in extreme temperatures.
So how do you know if you’ve got the right insulation in place? Let’s look at the numbers.
Minnesota is Zone 6A and 7
According to Energy Star, our state is mainly “very cold” and “cold humid,” meaning a high level of insulation is required to keep heat from getting sucked out of our homes. If your attic already has 3-4 inches of insulation, you only need to add enough to reach R49. If there’s no insulation in your attic at all, you need to reach R60 before you can be sure you’re no longer heating the atmosphere.
R-Value quantifies Thermal Resistance
How well a given type of insulation slows heat transfer is called its “R-value.” The higher the number, the more effective that insulation is at keeping heat in and cold out. That’s why R49 and R60 are recommended for attics in Minnesota.
R-Values vary by Insulation Material
Each type of insulation has a certain R-value per inch. So the more surface area you cover with it, the higher your overall R-value will be in your attic.
For example:
| Typical R-Values by Material | (Per Inch) |
| Fiberglass Batts | R2.9-3.8 |
| Blown-In Cellulose | R3.1-3.8 |
| Rigid Foam Board | R4.0-6.5 |
| Closed-Cell Spray Foam | R6.0-7.0 |
What happens if an ice dam has already formed on my roof?
The simple answer is to call us and have our professional roofing team remove it with our continuous steam service. Then you can prevent further winter roof damage and buy yourself time to get that attic properly insulated.
To get an estimate or book an appointment for ice dam removal, contact us here.