If you’re planning a roof replacement, you might have found yourself faced with deciding what kind of roof ventilation system is right for you. And that might have left you wondering what a roof ventilation system is.
Simply put, a roof ventilation system is a necessary part of every home that helps keep your home comfortable, protected, and cost-effective. In this article, we’re sharing everything you need to know about roof ventilation systems—what they are, why you need one, and the different systems on the market.
What is a roof ventilation system?
Roofing ventilation systems are integral to keeping your home cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and energy efficient throughout the year.
A roofing ventilation system helps create a balanced temperature throughout your home by managing the temperature and humidity in the attic. It all comes down to thermodynamics—hot air rises because the molecules are less dense than those in colder air.
The same is true inside your home. Hot air rises, which can lead to temperature variations at different levels of your home. For example, basements tend to be a bit cooler than the rest of the house, and attics and upstairs rooms run slightly warmer.
Proper roofing ventilation helps manage these temperature fluctuations, ensuring efficient airflow and creating a comfortable and energy-efficient home all year round.
A roof ventilation system will ensure that cool air—from air conditioning or the outdoors—enters the attic near the eaves and exits near the peak. The type of system you use will determine where the vent or system is placed on your roof.
Why is a ventilation system important for your home?
There are many reasons why having a ventilation system is essential for your home. Perhaps most importantly, many warranties require you to have a roof ventilation system installed, so be sure to check your warranties. But there are other reasons why you should have a ventilation system installed.
Protect the longevity of your roof
A roof ventilation system is crucial in ensuring that your roof lasts for as long as possible. Without a ventilation system, your roof could fail well before the expected 15 to 20 years. Without a roof ventilation system, your attic will heat up over the summer months, and your shingles will literally start to cook. At best, you’ll be forced to pay more to replace your roof prematurely. At worst, this could start a fire that homeowner’s insurance may not cover, as this could be considered neglect.
Keep your home at the right temperature year round
When your attic isn’t properly ventilated, hot air accumulates over time. The trapped hot air can create an unpleasant environment that can damage your home and belongings. Proper ventilation allows your attic to “breathe”— air enters through the soffits and pushes out through the ridge vent. This “breathing” process helps keep your home at a comfortable temperature and protects your belongings from potential heat damage.
Save money with a cost-effective solution
While a ventilation system may seem like a significant upfront investment, in the long term, it’s actually a cost-effective solution. With a vent system, you’ll save money on your energy bills, as your attic won’t leak hot air throughout the rest of your home. You’ll also save money on unnecessary roof and attic repairs resulting from not having a ventilation system.
What is the impact of poor attic ventilation?
Now that you know what proper attic ventilation can do for your home, it’s important to look at the other side of the coin—the issues that can arise when you have improper ventilation in your attic. Here are some potential issues of poor attic ventilation:
- Moisture accumulation: A poorly vented attic can trap moisture, leading to dampness and humidity and promoting mold and mildew growth.
- Heat buildup: Heat can build up in the summer months, which can cause your air conditioning to work overtime.
- Roof damage: Heat and moisture building can cause your roof to deteriorate, leading to a premature roof replacement.
- Wood rot: All the moisture can also cause wood rot in the attic structure, which can lead to costly repairs.
- Compromised insulation: Moisture can damage the insulation in your attic, reducing its effectiveness and increasing heating and cooling costs.
- Ice dams: Inadequate ventilation can cause warm air to melt snow on the roof which can refreeze causing ice dams.
Preventing ice dams
It’s important to do what you can to prevent ice dams from forming on your roof. Here are some ways to effectively prevent ice dams:
- Insulate your attic: Insulating your attic from the rest of your home can help prevent ice dams. You can check with your local building department to find out how much insulation your attic needs.
- Ventilate your roof: Install ridge and soffit vents to circulate cold air under your roof. Each vent should have at least 1 square foot of opening for every 300 square feet of attic floor.
- Cover your attic hatch: Use a weather-stripped cap to cover your attic hatch or whole-house fan.
- Exhaust to the outside: Make sure your kitchen, bathroom, and dryer vents lead outdoors through the roof or walls.
- Replace old-style recessed lights: Replace old-style recessed lights with sealed “IC” fixtures so you can cover them with insulation.
5 different types of roof ventilation systems
There are various roof ventilation systems on the market. Let’s examine five popular options.
- Ridge vents: These vents are installed on the peak of a roof. They’re designed to provide continuous and consistent exhaust ventilation and to help resist heavy and wind-driven rain.
- Gable vents: These vents are installed on the exterior wall of your attic and are meant to be seen as they add an architectural element to your home while also helping to circulate the air in your attic.
- Off-ridge vents: These vents are perfect for sloped roofs and are UV-resistant, static systems.
- Mechanical vents: These vents use the power of the wind to help remove excess heat from your attic.
- Power fans: Power fans use your home’s electricity to power the fan, which creates air circulation and ventilation in your attic.
Tap into the benefits of a power fan system
At B&B Siding and Roofing, we’re excited to offer a FREE power fan as part of our Winter Promotion when you book a new roof installation between November 1, 2024, and January 31, 2025. Take advantage of this limited-time offer to enhance the efficiency of your home this season.