Roof vents prevent humidity and moisture damage. When heat gets trapped in your attic, it weakens your roofing system and makes your home hot and uncomfortable. Learn how investing in ventilation extends your roof’s service life and saves you money.
Roof Ventilation Is Important
After roof restoration or a new installation, there’s one more thing your structure needs before the job is complete: roof vents. The main purpose of roof vents is simple, but necessary: they create ventilation and keep your home’s attic cooler during the warmer months. In the middle of summer, especially in the midwest, the heat is more than likely stifling. Since your roof is closer to the sun, it constantly absorbs its harmful UV rays. Roof vents lower the temperature in your attic and increase air circulation.
In addition to controlling your attic’s temperature, roof vents can also:
Reduce Energy Bills
As mentioned before, heat enters the attic easily without proper ventilation. Roof vents allow the hot air to escape, preventing your roof’s surface and your attic from overheating. When roofing materials are exposed to excessive sunlight, this expedites the degradation process. Hot weather deteriorates roof shingles, and as they split and crack under intense heat, areas of the underlayment are exposed to direct sunlight.
While your roofing materials rot, heat enters the home through the attic. As your house gets hotter, you turn up your AC to cool it down—but it’s no use if there’s inadequate ventilation, and the temperature inside will continue to rise. However, with roof vents, air flows through the attic and lowers the temperature. When your home is naturally cooler, you enjoy reduced energy bills.
Minimize Damage
Since roof vents create steady airflow, they lower the likelihood of moisture buildup in your attic. Rainwater can enter the home through crevices and openings in the roof’s surface. Water mixed with humidity becomes especially problematic; the dampness can saturate the wood under your system and cause wood rot, which is an inconvenient and expensive repair.
Another reason roof ventilation systems are necessary is to prevent mold growth. When mold accumulates within the home, not only is it unsightly, but it’s also harmful to your health. Symptoms of mold exposure range from coughing and sneezing to dizziness and difficulty breathing in severe cases. Prioritize your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ) and have professional roofers install the perfect roof vents for your home. Depending on the type of roof you have, there are many vents to choose from.
What Are the Different Kinds of Roof Vents?
Your home is unique, so it’s important to choose the appropriate ventilation system for your roof. Before you make a decision about which roof vents are best for your property, learn which kinds are on the market and how they each work:
- Wind Turbines: These are classic roof ventilation systems that are installed on most homes. These turbines are also known as whirlybirds, since they spin with the wind. Because these are driven by wind power, they draw humidity and moisture up and out of your attic.
- Power Vents: Heat and moisture are driven out by the motors in power vents. Some even come with thermostats and humidistats to measure the temperature and humidity levels inside your attic. When the levels get too high, the motors in power vents automatically turn on.
- Box Vents: These use natural convection by creating an opening where the rising heat and moisture can exit. Since box vents don’t use motors or wind power, roofing contractors must often install more than the standard number of vents.
- Ridge Vents: Many roofers believe this is the most effective ventilation system. Ridge vents are installed on the horizontal ridge of the roof, and their placement makes them less noticeable than other roof vents.
- Cupola Vents: Many homeowners choose this kind of vent just for decoration. In other words, these vents aren’t functional unless they’re paired with other vents to provide needed airflow.
- Soffit Vents: These vents aren’t technically located on the roof, but on the soffits around the house. Soffit vents allow plenty of air into the attic. However, since they’re at the roof’s lowest point, they must be used with another type of vent to allow the rising hot air to escape.
How Many Roof Vents Should a House Have?
The rule of thumb regarding roof vents is to get one square foot of vent per 300 square feet of ceiling space so your roof has a vapor barrier of 1:300. You can also have one square foot of roof vent for every 150 square feet, or 1:150. Keep in mind that your roof vents must be split evenly, with half dedicated to the air intake and the other half to the air exhaust.
Kirberg Provides Superb Roof and Vent Installation
Kirberg has proudly served Missouri for 100 years and counting. From St. Louis to Kansas City, we’re committed to stellar service and outstanding workmanship. Our solutions go beyond roof repair, restoration, and new construction; call our experts for reliable roof ventilation to improve your structure’s durability and increase its longevity.
No matter what condition your roof is in, call us for a free roofing estimate. We take the guesswork out of your roofing project and enhance your home with our dependable solutions.
