The Importance of Roof Ventilation

How a Roof Ventilation System Works

Roof ventilation works by allowing cool, dry intake air at the roof’s edge to usher out warm, humid air through exhaust vents. Proper roof ventilation is a balancing act. You’ll need the right amount of intake vents located along the roof’s edge and enough exhaust vents towards the top of your roof. If you have too many exhaust vents compared to intake vents, the system won’t work properly. Some of the exhaust vents will behave like intake vents and will “short circuit” the system. Although a 50/50 system is typically preferred, the key is to make sure the exhaust is adequate for the attic space. Luckily, an experienced roofing company can help you determine the right ratio of exhaust vents to intake vents.

One common mistake is not having enough intake vents installed. Intake vents are very important in a roofing ventilation system because they help hot air move out, but sometimes roofing companies will overlook the importance of intake vents. There are multiple air vents to choose from, including Air Vent’s Edge™ Vent (an edge-of-roof installed, shingle-over intake vent), continuous soffit vents, rectangular under-eave vents, and drip-edge vents.

Temperature Regulation

No matter where you live, there is a chance that you will experience bitter cold or extreme heat from time to time. While your home can be the perfect escape from the harsh outdoors, a roof that isn’t properly ventilated won’t protect your home adequately. In the warm summer months when the sun beats down on your roof, heat and moisture can collect in your attic and cause damage to wood, paint, siding, and even roof shingles. A roof ventilation system will prevent moisture damage by releasing hot air outside.

A proper roofing ventilation system can also lower your utility bill in the summer. How? A hot attic will affect the temperature of the entire house, which means you’ll have to blast the air conditioner to keep the house cool. With your air conditioning unit working harder than usual, your utility bill will rise. But if you install the right ventilation, you can lower the temperature in the attic and reduce your utility bill.

Ice Dam Prevention

Although icicles dangling from a roof can create a picture-perfect winter scene, they can also be signs of a roof ventilation problem. Since hot air rises, an attic that isn’t properly ventilated will be warmer at the top and cooler at the bottom near the edges. This can lead to ice dams, which are sections of ice that form along the edges of a roof. Similar to regular dams, ice dams act as barriers that block melted water from flowing into your gutters and off your roof. The backed-up water can start to collect into a pool, seep into the shingles, and eventually drip through your roof. By having a roof ventilation system installed, you can prevent ice dams from destroying your roof.

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Protect Your Roof with Proper Ventilation: Schedule a Consultation with GlennStone Today

Now that you know the importance of roof ventilation, are you ready to take action? Rather than being forced to deal with the aftermath of poor roof ventilation, be proactive. If you live near Springfield, Missouri, take action to protect your roof by requesting a roofing ventilation consultation from GlennStone. You can also send an e-mail to [email protected], call 417-860-8125, or contact us online. Proper attic ventilation is crucial to maintaining the integrity of your roof, and we will help you choose the best ventilation system for your house’s needs.