Attic Insulation
Attic Insulation That Stops Ice Dams at the Source
Ice dams, attic frost and hot upstairs bedrooms usually trace back to the attic. We top up insulation, seal the leaks and balance the venting so your roof stays cold and dry.
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Your roof's problems often start in the attic
James Roofing installs attic insulation and ventilation for homes across Hamilton, Toronto, Niagara, Halton and Peel. We blow in loose-fill insulation to current levels, seal air leaks from the house below, and balance soffit intake with roof exhaust. Call (289) 683-9727 or request a free estimate and we’ll look in your attic and tell you what it needs.
As roofers, we see the results of poor attics every year. Ice dams at the eaves after a cold snap. Shingles that cook and curl early on a south slope. Frost on the underside of the deck in January that melts into ceiling stains in March. Black spotting on the plywood that turns out to be mould. Each one comes from heat and moisture getting into the attic with nowhere to go. Fixing the attic is often the cheapest way to protect a new roof.
Older houses in our area often have a few inches of settled insulation, pot lights poking up into the attic and bathroom fans venting straight into it. Some newer homes have plenty of insulation but soffit vents buried underneath it. The fix depends on what we find, which is why every job starts with a look in the attic instead of a standard package. Sometimes the answer is more insulation, sometimes it’s sealing leaks and clearing vents, and often it’s both.
Why James Roofing
What we fix up there
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Insulation to current levels
We top up or replace insulation with blown-in material to bring the attic up to today's recommended R-values.
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Air sealing first
Gaps around pot lights, plumbing stacks, wall top plates and the attic hatch are sealed so warm, moist air stays in the house.
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Balanced ventilation
Intake at the soffits and exhaust at the ridge or roof vents, sized to work together and kept clear with baffles.
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Fans vented outside
Bathroom and kitchen fans that dump into the attic get ducted properly to the exterior.
Google Reviews
What our customers say
5.0
- 5 out of 5 stars
I am beyond happy with the work that James Roofing did at my rental property. I had water damage from an incompatible roofing system that was put on by the previous company. From the beginning of my project, James was happy to answer any questions I had about proposed solutions and always made sure I understood all options available. The job was done when he said it would be, and on time. The crew was very polite with my tenants and cleaned up 100% after their work was done. I will be calling James Roofing again when my main roof needs replaced.
- 5 out of 5 stars
They are a great company!! The workers were pleasant and got the job done in a timely manner. Prices are reasonable as well. Will definitely recommend!!
- 5 out of 5 stars
I am very pleased to give the highest regard to this company. Not only were they efficient but also made me feel included with the process. Very easy to communicate with, good listeners and very knowledgeable. Thumbs up!!
- 5 out of 5 stars
Honestly great experience from start to finish. I got the run around from a few other roofers before finding James Roofing. He was prompt in returning my phone calls, worked me in a few days earlier than originally planned and fixed the leak in my roof immediately and for a fair price. Would highly recommend to anybody looking for good, honest work
- 5 out of 5 stars
Janes was able to fix holes in my roof with short notice. Solid job!
- 5 out of 5 stars
James Roofing did a fantastic job making this 106 year home look so much better. The crew were fantastic and cleaned up well after the job was complete. Very polite and James was fantastic to deal with. Very professional.
- 5 out of 5 stars
Great and honest work. They installed eavestrough and down pipes for me. Very reasonably priced and professional job well done.
How It Works
How an attic upgrade works
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Attic inspection
We measure insulation depth, check the ventilation and look for moisture, mould and air leaks.
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Prep and seal
Baffles go in at the eaves, fan ducts are corrected and air leaks are sealed.
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Blow in insulation
Loose-fill insulation is blown to an even depth across the whole attic floor.
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Confirm the airflow
We make sure intake and exhaust are clear and balanced, and add vents where needed.
R-values, ventilation and why they work together
How much insulation you need
R-value measures resistance to heat flow, and higher is better. Current Ontario building standards call for around R-60 in many new attics, while plenty of older homes still have R-12 to R-20 from thin batts or settled loose fill. Topping up to R-60 adds a lot of depth, so we install baffles at the eaves and insulate and weatherstrip the hatch.
Blown-in cellulose or fibreglass
Blown-in cellulose is made mostly from recycled paper treated to resist fire and pests. It fills around wiring and framing well and forms a dense layer. Blown-in fibreglass is lighter and doesn’t absorb moisture. Both perform well in an attic at the right depth, and we’ll explain which suits your house.
Why ventilation has to balance
Attic ventilation draws cool, dry air in at the soffits and lets warm, moist air out near the ridge. If there’s more exhaust than intake, the vents can pull heated air up out of the house. If the soffits are blocked by insulation or paint, the attic stays humid. The Ontario Building Code sets a minimum vent area based on attic size, and we split it between low intake and high exhaust.
Ice dams and mould
Ice dams form when warm air leaking into the attic melts snow on the roof, which refreezes at the cold eaves. Mould grows when humid household air condenses on cold roof sheathing. Air sealing, insulation and ventilation together keep the deck cold in winter and dry all year, which takes care of both.
Questions
Attic Insulation and Ventilation FAQs
Still unsure about something? Call us and talk to someone who actually works on roofs.
(289) 683-9727How much attic insulation do I need?
Many older Ontario homes have far less than current standards. Around R-60 is a common target, but the right level depends on your house, the attic space and what's already there. We'll measure what you have and recommend a level.
Should old insulation come out before adding more?
Usually not, as long as it's dry and free of mould, pests and contamination. We blow new insulation over it. If we find vermiculite, which can contain asbestos, we stop and recommend testing before anyone disturbs it.
Will better insulation stop my ice dams?
Insulation, air sealing and ventilation together are the long-term fix for most ice dams. Insulation alone helps, but if warm air still leaks up around pot lights and the hatch, the roof will keep melting snow. We deal with all of it.
Can I have too much attic ventilation?
You can have the wrong mix. Combining vent types, such as a ridge vent with gable vents or a powered fan, can short-circuit the airflow so parts of the attic never get ventilated. Balance between intake and exhaust matters more than the number of vents.
What causes mould in an attic?
Almost always warm, moist air from the house condensing on the cold roof deck. Common culprits are bathroom fans venting into the attic, air leaks around fixtures and blocked soffit vents. We fix the moisture source and the airflow, and recommend a remediation specialist where growth is extensive.
Service Areas
Attic Insulation and Ventilation across Southern Ontario
Our crews cover Hamilton, Halton, Peel, Toronto and Niagara. Pick your city for local details.
- Hamilton
- Toronto
- Burlington
- Oakville
- Mississauga
- Stoney Creek
- Ancaster
- Grimsby
- St. Catharines
- Niagara Falls
- Welland
- Milton
Not on the list? We cover the communities in between too. Call (289) 683-9727 to check.
More Services
More ways we protect your property
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Roof Replacement
Full tear-off to the deck, new ice-and-water shield, underlayment and architectural shingles, installed to handle Ontario winters and summer heat.
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Roof Repair
Leaks, missing shingles, failed flashing and storm damage traced to the source and fixed with proper materials, not a smear of caulking.
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Flat Roofing
Modified bitumen, TPO and EPDM systems for garages, additions, rowhouses and commercial roofs, with drainage built in so water doesn't sit.
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Commercial Roofing
Low-slope roof installation, repair and maintenance programs for plazas, offices, industrial units and multi-unit residential buildings.
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Roof Inspections
Pre-purchase, post-storm, insurance and annual roof inspections, with photos and a plain-language report on what needs attention.
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Eavestrough, Soffit and Fascia
Seamless aluminum eavestrough, downspouts, soffit and fascia, installed with the right size and slope to move water away from your foundation.
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Gutter Guards
Gutter guards that keep leaves, maple keys and pine needles out of your eavestrough, so it drains in summer storms and clogs less in winter.
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Siding
Vinyl, fibre cement, aluminum and steel siding installed over a proper weather barrier, with trim and flashing done right at every window.
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Snow Removal
Seasonal snow removal for driveways, walkways and commercial lots, plus salting and roof snow and ice dam removal from the crew that knows your roof.
Explore snow removal
Fix the attic, protect the roof
Call (289) 683-9727 or request a free attic insulation estimate and we'll take a look up there.