Roofing & Attic Ventilation

Roof Ventilation is an important, yet often confusing aspect of virtually any roof system. While there is some debate as to the importance and pros & cons of ventilation, it’s worth noting that many roofing manufacturers do specify ventilation requirements, and not following them will often void your roofing warranty. They generally know their products best and how to make them last the longest, so for us, that makes ventilation an important part of each roof system.

We can’t address every particular roof system and building, but at least wanted to provide some general information:

An improperly or unventilated roof system can result in:

(Summer)

• Attic temperatures in excess of 160º (even hotter in some climates) that are likely to enter your building or home.
• Premature aging of roofing materials and overall roof system.
• Premature aging of your air conditioning system / unit.
• Excess energy usage.
• Damage, including warping, cracking and breaking of wood framing.

(Winter)

• Rotting and warping of wood framing and roof deck due to moisture.
• Growth of mildew.
• Buckling of roof materials and felt.
• Ice Dams.
• Rusting Metal.

While some of the above conditions seem extreme, they are all very common, with most buildings and homes being affected by at least one of them. Moreover, one can quickly imagine how ventilation will really impact the longevity of an entire building or home.

A variety of ventilation solutions are available today, including:

• Roof Vents
• Soffit Vents
• Gable Vents
• Ridge Vents
• Turbine Vents
• Box Vents
• Power Vents

Information and instruction about ventilation is widely available, but things do tend to become a bit fuzzy when you start taking roof type, materials, architecture, climate and a number of other factors into consideration. It’s not exactly rocket science, but it does require some calculation to install a proper system that provides for a balance of continual flow and exhaust of outside air. In fact, the FHA recommends a minimum of at least 1 sq. ft. of attic ventilation for every 300 sq. ft., which needs to be divided equally between intake an exhaust.

Should you be experiencing any of the problems mentioned above, a professional roofer can provide a proper evaluation and suggest ventilation options / improvements that are best-suited for your particular building or home.