Proper roof ventilation is essential in maintaining a home that is comfortable, safe, and in good repair. Everyone wants their home to be a place where they feel welcome and protected. When the rain is coming down in sheets and the winds are beating hard against the windows, your roof provides a haven from the harsh elements.
Unfortunately, the roof also takes quite a pounding. It absorbs the damage that might otherwise harm you and your loved ones. Your roof keeps your home, possessions, and family safe from the effects of weather, separated from wildlife and neighbors, and provides a sense of comfort and belonging. Proper roof ventilation is vital if you want to maintain a roof that will serve your needs for a long time.
Proper roof ventilation helps to ensure that your roof will have a long life. A poorly ventilated roof is constantly surrounded by vapors from condensation, moisture from weather, and extreme heat. These conditions can cause great deals of damage. Boards may buckle and twist, shingles or tiles may fall, and rafters may split. Your roof will begin to leak, sag, or even collapse. Fortunately, you can avoid these situations by using proper roof ventilation.
Proper roof ventilation must have a way for air to both enter and exit the space. Well-designed systems for air exchange will keep the upper areas of your home from getting dangerously hot. During hot summer months, heat builds up under your roof, driving up the costs for cooling your home and potentially damaging the structure and your belongings. Moisture builds up and can harm buildings materials, possessions, and insulation.
Proper Roof Ventilation Methods
There are several ways to ensure proper roof ventilation in your home. Whether you decide to use a wind-assisted ventilator, gravity ventilator, or power ventilator, the results will be the same. Good air flow leads to the temperature and moisture control that is needed to keep your roof from falling apart.
The most common method for proper roof ventilation, gravity based ventilation is also the most energy efficient. Taking advantage of the fact that hot air rises, plus the fact that wind currents around homes create high and low pressure areas, natural ventilation uses gravity and temperatures to its advantage. Air outlets are placed at the top of the roof, letting the hottest air out. Intake vents, located at the lowest points, bring cooler air in.
Wind pressure systems are more efficient than gravity methods, requiring less space for proper roof ventilation. Unfortunately, unless your home is located in a place with very consistent wind pattern, it can be difficult to impossible to locate vents in places that will provide the right air movement.
When all else fails, a powered ventilation system can be installed. These are more expensive and require more maintenance than natural methods. Powered ventilation systems work much like air conditioning systems. If your home is in an extreme situation this might be needed but most homes get adequate air circulation with natural methods.
Proper roof ventilation can prevent many problems. Excessive heat and moisture causes your roof materials to age more quickly, leading to frequent, costly repairs. The wood framing can warp and crack, breaking down and becoming severe structural damage over time. Siding or exterior paint can be damaged, and even wallpaper and paint on the inside may be effected.
Glues and adhesives will deteriorate when exposed to extreme heat and moisture. Decking materials such as plywood may become “spongy” and unsafe to walk on. Metal in ducting, nails, and plumbing may rust. Trapped moisture can lead to mold, mildew, and fungi, causing dangerous problems for people with allergies or asthma.
Talk to a professional to determine the best way to provide proper roof ventilation for your home. While gravity systems are most often used, it may not be the right choice for your home. Depending on the layout of your property and surrounding areas, weather conditions, the shape of your roof, and other factors, a professional can help to choose the right ventilation system for your home.
