When you are buying a new house or making repairs to your roof, it’s important to ensure the house has proper roof ventilation. Proper ventilation can prevent a whole host of issues and it’s critical to the long term health of your roof. In addition to a musty smell, a improperly vented roof can actually void the warranty on the shingles of your roof.
Attic ventilation can be done in a variety of ways using various products. But, first you or your roofing professional need to determine how much ventilation is required. Building codes and roofing materials both have recommendations concerning sufficient ventilation. Most building codes require between a 1/150 to 1/300 ratio of vent space to attic area. This means that for every 150 square feet of attic space, the code requires a 1 square foot of vent space. Since every home is different, your home may need a little more air flow. But, more ventilation isn’t necessarily better. Having too many openings in your attic space can just lead to other pest and moisture problems. Codes can vary by location so please verify with your local code requirements.
There are many different options and products available to provide adequate ventilation for your home. No one solutions is best for all homes, so having a good understanding of ventilation products is a good place to start.
A ridge vent is a long ventilation strip that runs the length of the ridge line of the roof. When the ridge vent is installed, a strip of the roof decking is removed to allow air flow through the vent. The vent is installed before the shingles or other roof material is installed. It is important to have the vent inspected for any blockages, like damaged roofing or structural material, that may restrict air flow.
Another option is soffit vents and insulation baffles. The soffit is the exposed siding under the overhang of the roof. Vents are installed in the soffit to provide upward air flow into the attic. To maintain proper convection ventilation there must be an entry point and a exit point for air to move through. Insulation baffles are installed to keep the soffit vents free from obstruction by attic insulation.
Whole house fans and attic fans are also effective. Whole attic fans draw the air from inside the attic and blow it outside of the house. These fans can be controlled by either a manual switch or a thermostat that automatically turns the fan on and off when it detects increased moisture in the attic.
Gable vents are also popular. These vents are installed on the gable ends of the house and are louvered to allow airflow, but prevent rain and snow from entering the attic space.
Using these ventilation options in combination to ensure proper airflow throughout the attic area will help maintain your roof, attic insulation, and roof structure from moisture damage. Having a qualified roofing specialist to help your compare products and educate you on your options is invaluable to most homeowners. If you have ventilation issues or need a little professional advice, Guardian Roofing is here to help.
When your home is ready for a new roof, repairs, or maintenance, you need a reliable, dependable roof repair company. You count on you roofing contractor to keep your home safe and dry. Guardian Roofing is committed to providing top-quality service, professionalism and workmanship. If you are looking for a roof repair contractor please call us today at 844-499-7822 or complete our online service request form.
