21 May Why Proper Roof Ventilation Is Critical to Your Roof’s Life Cycle
While there are many aspects of your home which are critical to it’s proper function, few are as critical to the long-term performance of your roof as proper roof ventilation of the roof. This includes the attic space as well. Ever wonder why you attic traps so much heat? Well that’s most likely due to imbalanced ventilation system causing the heat to trap underneath the roof and hang out in your attic. No bueno.
In many cases, the lack of proper ventilation can lead to what many homeowners refer to as a musty smell. Without adequate ventilation, the shingle manufactures’ warranty could become void if damage to the roof is caused as a result of insufficient ventilation.
Do I Have Enough Roof Ventilation?
Venting the Roof — Greenville / Spartanburg
There are many different options available to provide adequate ventilation to your attic space and roofing system. There are a plethora of products and solutions available. The following is a list of possible options for installing ventilation into a residential attic space and in the roofing system.
- Ridge Vent — A ridge vent is a ventilation strip that is placed along the main ridge line of the roof. Prior to installing the ridge vent, a 1″ wide strip of roof decking is cut out along both sides of the ridge line to allow for air movement through the vent. This is an easy and fairly inexpensive way to ensure your roofing has plenty of ventilation.
- Soffit Vents — The key to installing any ventilation system into your roofing system is to make sure that there is a point of entry AND a point of exit for air flow. It is important that as a homeowner that you review the soffit areas of the home for soffit vents. Air flow is key! The soffit vents allows convective air movement from the soffits of the residence to the ridge vent.
- Powered Attic / Roof Fans — Fans and vents may be installed on the roof system that will draw the air out of the attic space and exhaust it to the exterior. These fans may be controlled with a switch or a thermostat which detects heat build-up in the attic space and automatically exhausts the attic space. There are also a number of popular and effective solar powered options available that homeowners may want to consider depending upon the location of the fan and the home.
- Gable Vents — These vents are installed in the gable ends of the home or building. They are normally louvered vents that allow air to be drawn out of the attic space and they prevent moisture from rain and snow blowing back into the home.
- Other Options — There are various other options that can be installed depending upon the construction of the home. These include louvered dormers, mushroom vents and other options that allow targeted areas of the attic space and roof to be ventilated.
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REEVES CONSTRUCTION, INC.
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
REEVES ROOF & GUTTERS
Serving Georgia, the Carolinas and Eastern Tennessee
Toll Free: 866-592-3632
Serving to meet the needs of these great cities:
Greenville – Spartanburg
South Carolina: Greenville, Spartanburg, Union, Easley, Greer, Murrells Inlet, Charleston, Myrtle Beach
North Carolina: Charlotte, Waxhaw, Greenville, Rockville
Georgia: Atlanta Metro Area, Stockbridge, College Park, Columbus, Jonesboro, Macon
Eastern Tennessee: Nashville, Knoxville