Roof ventilation is definitely not a sexy topic. Most people unless they are roofers or builders don’t think about roof ventilation at all. We all know that there are vents on our roof but whether we know why is the question at hand. Basically, the quick answer is that we need roof ventilation to remove hot air in the summer and moisture in the winter.
How does roof ventilation work?
Most often on homes, there are vents on the soffits under the roof edge that bring a flow of air up through the attic and out through either roof vents or ridge vents. This is a system of ventilation that takes advantage of the natural airflow of the house. Hot air naturally rises and air then flows from the eaves up through vents at the top of the roof. There are also electric and solar-powered vents that can draw the hot air up and out of your roof.
Advantages of Roof Ventilation
Proper ventilation reduces wear on your shingles. Think of a poorly ventilated attic like an oven. In the summer an attic with insufficient ventilation can reach 160 degrees. Combine the heat from the inside of your attic with the sun beating down on the surface of your roof and you are pretty much baking your shingles. This can cause a breakdown on the integrity of the shingles. This can definitely lower the lifespan of your roof.
- Ventilation done right saves energy and lowers utility costs in the summer. If your attic is not properly reducing the heat buildup, that buildup of heat is going to cause you to run your air conditioner longer. If your heat isn’t escaping naturally through your roof vents, it will affect the house as a whole. You already know that temperatures can get pretty high here in Texas. Day after day with high temperatures will stop the attic from ever cooling down causing a heavier load on your air conditioner.
- A roofing system with proper ventilation removes moisture in the winter. In the winter you can have a buildup of condensation in your attic. This condensation can be detrimental to your insulation as well as the structure of the attic. It can also bring on the problems of mold or mildew.
- Ventilation gives you a balanced living environment. No matter whether it is summer or winter, proper ventilation will create a better balance in the living areas of your home. It will even out the temperatures throughout your home for more comfortable living.
Final Thoughts:
Even though attic ventilation here in Texas is not one of those things that cross our minds much, having it done properly is essential to the well being of your home. Proper ventilation not only adds to the health of your roofing system and attic but also saves on your energy bills. A comfortable home environment starts with a good roof ventilation system. Have a professional make sure that your roof is properly ventilated. In the north Dallas area call LIFT Construction to make sure you’re getting the right system for your home.