If you own a home, you don’t typically think about roof or attic ventilation. It isn’t a consideration that quickly comes to mind. Why? Roof ventilation is not easily visible. It doesn’t take on much meaning to most homeowners. However, if your home always feels stuffy (or drafty, for that matter), the possibility exists that your home has ventilation issues.
In simple terms, roof ventilation systems can be classified as active or passive.
By utilizing moving parts, active venting pulls in fresh, cool air from outside (through a drawing effect using intake vents) and pushes out static hot air inside the attic (via exhaust vents). In other words, intake vents help cool air replace hot air being removed by exhaust vents. That way, excess heat buildup in the attic does not cause undue issues to the home.
This form of electric-propelled fan enables stale air to be pushed out of the attic. In warmer months, an attic vent will work overtime to extract warm air from the attic.
Ridge vents are cut directly into the roof’s ridge, running along the ridgeline. A baffle is added to channel outdoor air to the attic while filtering out moisture, debris, and insects.
Instead of relying on hard-wired electricity, a solar-powered ventilation system generates its own power. The objective is to take warm air from the attic and push it outside.
Using outside wind to rotate the aluminum blades, a roof turbine works well where windy and breezy weather exists. They do not operate without a meaningful outdoor breeze.
Passive venting allows air in the attic to circulate via natural sources. Wind or convection (the cool air pushing out warm air) moves the air around in the attic to keep it from becoming static.
Box vents provide an excellent ventilation option. A home typically includes several box vents across the roof line, allowing several exit points for hot air out of the attic.
A cupola vent may be costly. However, this attractive vent serves the dual purpose of removing hot air from the attic and introducing natural sunlight from the outside.
This ventilation system sits directly underneath the first row of shingles and fulfills two objectives: drain water into the gutter and allow cool air to flow into the attic.
Typically, gable end vents are triangular-shaped. They utilize horizontal or cross-ventilation to help outside air circulate through the attic. Air flows in one end and out the other.
Situated near the roof’s peak, off-ridge vents are similar to box vents in size. However, they don’t extract quite the same volume of hot air from the attic as ridge vents.
As one of the newest forms of ventilation, over-fascia vents fit on roofs where soffit vents are not an option. These vents sit on top of the fascia boards adjacent to the gutters.
A ridge vent is installed along the roof’s crest and runs across the span of the roofline. A ridge vent helps the hottest air escape the attic efficiently and expeditiously.
As the most popular intake ventilation system, soffit vents are installed directly on the eaves underneath the roofline. They easily allow cool air to flow into the attic.
There are ways that vents can be installed improperly, but when installed well, there are many benefits:
When air circulates freely in the home, draftiness and stuffiness no longer pose a concern. HVAC units can operate much more efficiently without needing to overwork.
Airborne allergens compromise health. Static air is a breeding ground for allergens. Circulating air reduces the concern for mold, mildew, and allergens impeding a home.
When air does not circulate properly, it stagnates. Condensation buildup results from moisture not having a viable means to evaporate. Mold and mildew are not far behind.
Pollution is a global problem. Managing air quality effectively has become a universal objective. On a basic level, homeowners can regulate air quality with good ventilation.
Homeowners in South Florida should pay close attention to their attic and roof ventilation. A home that does not breathe properly will cause issues, including moisture intrusion, wood rot, and mold growth. At Kelly Roofing, we have the knowledge and experience to walk you through a thorough inspection and comprehensive evaluation of your home to determine if you have cause for concern. If we observe ventilation problems, we propose proactive and permanent solutions.
To schedule an appointment or to learn more about our other roofing services, contact Kelly Roofing today.
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