When you stop to think about your roof, you’ll probably think about your shingles – those overlapping pieces of your roof that protect your home from the weather. However, there’s more to your roof. There’s also your roof insulation and ventilation system, both of which play a major role in its health and longevity.
Understanding Your Roof’s Ventilation System
This system is responsible for pulling fresh air into your roof attic and pushing heat out moisture out of it. This is important (especially in humid climates like Florida) because it helps reduce your attic’s temperature. Without it your home could reach a really high temperature quickly because of your normal, everyday activities.
When your roof can expel hot air through the good ventilation system in your roof attic you’ll decrease your home’s cooling load and extend its lifespan. This also enables your HVAC system to work less, thus saving you money.
Choosing the Right Ventilation System for Your Home
Many types and styles of roof ventilations systems exist today. The best one for your home will be one that considers how much airflow you need and what your roof is designed like. This is why the answer to this is different for every home. Some of the most common types of roof attic ventilation systems include:
- Box vents require you to cut a hole in your roof so they can be installed there. Once installed they’ll use natural convection whereby hot air and moisture can escape from your home.
- Power vents (a.k.a. PAVs) are mounted on your roof and its gables. They use an electric motor to turn a large fan that drives hot air and moisture out.
- Soffit vents are made from either PVC or aluminum. Outdoor enters your attic through them. When used in combination with a ridge vent, they’re quite effective.
- Ridge vents are installed at the peak on a sloped roof. They use a static vent system that doesn’t have any parts that move. When used alongside a soffit vent, you’ll have an efficient system for creating both hot and cold zone along your roof’s surface.
Understanding why Proper Ventilation is so Important
Most residential building codes require you to have one square foot of vented area for every 300 square foot of attic space. You must also have a vapor barrier and a thin layer of impermeable material to stop moisture from damaging the inside of your home.
When you don’t have a proper balance of ventilation (both intake and exhaust fans) in your roof attic, your home may require expensive repairs. This is because things like mildew and mold will start growing there causing your roof ‘s decking to become saggy or spongy. Eventually your floorboards, shingles, and underlayment will all start to deteriorate.
Conclusion
If you need help with your roof insulation, make sure you reach out to someone who’s both experienced and reliable like Done Rite Insulation. This is important because they know how to make sure that your roof attic, roof insulation, and your ventilation system are all working cohesively. They also know if your current system has any weaknesses and how many intake and exhaust vents you’ll need so call them today.
