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At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

 

Roof Ventilation

Roof ventilation systems don’t just extend the life of your roof, they help lower your home’s energy bills and make your house an overall healthier place to live.  Different types of roof vents are more effective than others, but each type of vent has the basic task of either removing stale air from your attic space (exhaust) or bringing fresh air into your home (intake).  If you want to truly take advantage of the benefits of proper roof ventilation, then it is critical to have both intake and exhaust ventilation installed.

The Two Styles of Ventilation

What is ventilation, anyway?  It’s out with the old (air) and in with the new (air).  In roofing just like in life, this is very refreshing and important strategy to have!

Understanding how air naturally moves helps us realize why both intake and exhaust play a critical role in a roof’s venting ability.  Knowing how the two work hand-in-hand is important before choosing which of types of roof vent systems are best for your home and budget.

Exhaust; Let That Stale Air Out

For the purposes of venting your attic space, this is valuable because it is the hot air, which contains moisture, that you want to get out of your attic space.

If the hot air is allowed to stagnant, it can lead to bad-smelling mildew and eventually mold.  This is one of key reasons why ventilation is important to your home’s health.   Because hot air rises, exhaust-style vents are generally placed towards to top of your roof line.  The most common exhaust vent used for modern roofing systems is the ridge vent.

Intake; Bring That Fresh Air In

Hot air leaving your attic is important for your home’s health and roof’s longevity.  Cool, fresh air (in form of intake ventilation) is the other half of a great venting strategy.  The cooler air comes into your attic space via intake vents that are placed lower on the roof line than the exhaust vents mentioned above.  Because the cooler air enters underneath the hot air (and because hot air rises), the intake ventilation will help push the stubborn hot air out of the attic space.  The cool air, by way of intake style vents (like a soffit) acts as our bouncer.

As long as you have exhaust vents with a large enough surface area, then this cooler intake air will help thrust the hot air out of the home.

Cool air in through the intake vents and hot air out through the exhaust!

What Happens If My Roof Doesn’t Have Proper Venting?

Ice dams are a common result of poor roofing ventilation as well as rapid destruction of your home and property.  There are significant drawbacks that will effect your attic space, your roof, your home, and your lifestyle.  They include:

• Poor indoor air quality due to dead air in the attic space (summer)

• Overburdened HVAC systems (air conditioning) forced to work harder to cool the second (and third, if applicable) floors of your home

• Extra moisture (in form of warm air) in the attic space

• Ice dams in the winter months, if you live in a colder climate

• Dry rot of roof sheathing

Types of Roof Ventilation

When you install roof ventilation, you’re extending the life of your shingles, preventing ice dams from forming, and keeping conditions in your attic nice and arid. This prevents moisture, wood rot, and mold problems in your home.

Keeping your attic and roof well-ventilated doesn’t mean you’re stuck with a convection box vent either.  Today there are more options than ever to achieve the highest functionality for your home. What kinds of ventilation are out there and which ones would be right for you?

Soffit Vents

These intake vents are installed in the soffit and eaves  and help boost the airflow for your vents.  They are often used with another of the following vents.  This intake is crucial to keep the air flowing well within the attic so that conditions remain stable.

Ridge Vents

When you see a roof that has a raised ridge and a small gap underneath it, you’ve spotted a ridge vent.  These discrete structures offer plenty of exhaust air flow without being an eyesore.  These are very effective and ideal for larger homes, or any home for that matter.

Gable Vents

These are the panel-like vents that you see attacked vertically to the gable, or the triangular part attached between the two sides of a gable roof.  This extra support is a good supplement to your ventilation exhaust system.

Power Fans/Power Attic Vents)

If you have a gable roof or large area that needs hot air expelled with more force, a power vent is the contraption for you.  Sophisticated models won’t run all the time.  They will be triggered by a thermostat, which means that in the winter the warm air that rises won’t leave through the roof and make your house colder.  This fan is great for attics that can get very hot in the summer as the power boost expels hot air more quickly than convection methods.

Wind Turbines/”Whirlybirds”

These function like a power vent but it runs of free energy from the wind. Exterior blades catch the wind on the outside. Just be sure to keep all its parts lubricated so it doesn’t make any squeaking sounds. Sometimes these units can also be power-driven. If you plan to install one of these, consider your area. Is it windy enough for the classic wind-powered version to work or should you opt for one that is solar or electric-powered?

Off-Ridge Vents

You’ll need several of these for adequate ventilation.  Overall, these are a more affordable but less effective substitute for ridge vents.  They should be placed near the roof ridge for the highest performance.  These aren’t powered by wind or power and will rely solely on the hot air rising and exiting through the holes.