The roof of a home provides protection from weather and other elements. A residential roof’s most important element is ventilation. Many homeowners neglect to properly ventilate their roofs. Poorly ventilated roofs can cause damage to roof materials, reduce comfort, pose a threat to family health, and be detrimental to the roof structure.
Ventilation allows for free air movement through the roof system which improves its performance and functions. Let’s look at some of the benefits of roof ventilation.
REGULATES TEMPERATURE
Indoor temperature extremes can be caused by poorly vented roofs. Ventilation stops upstairs rooms from becoming warmer than the rest of your house in hot weather. Ventilated roofs allow warm air to escape while cool outside air can enter the attic or other upstairs rooms to regulate indoor temperatures. Roof ventilation is essential for maintaining indoor temperatures throughout the year.
LOWER ENERGY FEES
Poor ventilation can strain the air conditioner and cause it to work harder to keep indoors cool. Properly vented roofs or attics allow hot and humid air to escape while letting in cool air. This reduces the cooling system’s workload when it is hot and humid outside. A lower workload for the cooling system means greater efficiency and higher energy savings.
PREVENTS MOISTURE DAMAGE
The roof’s greatest enemies are moisture and condensation. The majority of American homes have high levels of moisture. Condensation and excess moisture can cause structural damage to a home, including the roof. Poor ventilation can cause hot air to condense on the roof, trapping moisture in the attic and eventually leading to condensation. This can lead to mold, mildew, and other roof-related problems. Proper roof ventilation is essential to keep insulation dry and avoid all of the roofing problems associated with condensation.
PREVENT ICE DAM FORMATION
In areas that receive snowfall during winter, ice dams can form at the roof’s edges. Poor attic ventilation is often the cause of this problem. The roof’s ice and snow melt when the heat from the attic heats up. The melted snow then drains down the roof, and it refreezes above the roof’s roof’s underhang, where temperatures are cooler. This results in ice dams. Roof ventilation keeps the temperature constant in the attic, and stops the snow from melting.
PROLONGS THE ROOF’S LIFESPAN
Roof ventilation is essential in prolonging the roof’s lifespan. It helps prevent mold, rot, and ice from damaging roofing materials and other important roof components like framing, trusses, and underlayment. Proper roof ventilation will prevent roof deterioration early and prolong its life.
MAINTAIN OPTIMAL VENTILATION
Roofers who are professionals emphasize the importance of keeping your roof ventilated. Properly placed vents will preserve the roof’s integrity, and keep it in top condition. There are many roof ventilation options available for homeowners today. Before choosing a ventilation system, it is important to consider local codes, climate, and design details. For more information on roof ventilation, contact a local roofing company.
This post was written by Ted Williams! Ted is the owner of Old Time Roofing which offers the best Pinellas County roofing! Ted is a Master Elite Weather Stopper GAF Roofing Contractor, a double award winner of Best Steep-Slope Contractor from GAF, and an achiever of Master Elite Consumer Protection Excellence from GAF. He has been serving the Pinellas County area since 1978. Old Time Roofing has a tradition of quality workmanship, servicing residential and commercial properties.
