Why Roof Ventilation Is Important

If you live in an area with extreme heat, your roof cavity will heat up and trap heat in the rest of the building. Alternatively, cold air will be trapped on cold nights, making your building cold. Proper roof ventilation will help regulate the property's temperature and allow it to perform at its best.  

In this article, we will discuss the many benefits of roof ventilation and how roof ventilation works.  

How Does Roof Ventilation Work?  

Roof ventilation is the process of refreshing the air in your roof cavity. In summer, it brings cold air into the roof from outside and pushes warmer air out. In winter, it lets warmer air in and pushes colder air out.  

Oxygenated air enters the roof cavity from vents, usually under the eave where the sun can’t reach it. It can also enter the roof through a ceiling grille inside the property itself. Old air is extracted from the roof through a fan turbine vent, powered by a continuous supply of electricity or spun by natural air pressure and wind flowing over the property.  

To properly ventilate your roof, you must install both intake and exhaust vents. Intake vents will be installed at the bottom of the roof, generally in the overhangs, and exhaust vents will be installed near the roof's peak.  

These vents create a constant flow throughout the attic. The outside air will get drawn into the intake vents as the warm, humid air travels through the exhaust vents, allowing the hot air to rise and escape.  

The Benefits of Roof Ventilation  

In addition to regulating the temperature of your roof cavity so that it doesn’t heat or cool the rest of your property, proper roof ventilation also has the following benefits:  

Prevents Condensation, Mold, and Rot  

Roof ventilation prevents condensation, which leads to mold and rot. Moisture can seep into the home through many activities, such as laundry, showers, and cooking, which will produce warm, damp air in the living space of your home.  

Without a barrier, moisture will eventually reach your ceilings and land in the attic. When a cool surface, such as the underside of your roof meets warm air, it will condense, which may develop mold and mildew. Ventilating your roof and attic space will dry your insulation and prevent damage.  

Extends Roof’s Lifespan 

As mentioned above, condensation can begin to form without proper roof ventilation, drastically cutting your roof's lifespan. In addition, a non-ventilated roof can cause extremely hot attics, accumulating heat that may damage the wood framing, rafters, underlayment, and more. 

Reduces Cooling Costs 

Proper attic and roof ventilation helps reduce your home’s cooling costs by allowing heat to escape. When the temperature outside rises, the temperature inside your home will, too. 

Without proper ventilation, the heat will be trapped inside the home and cause your air conditioning to work harder. However, proper ventilation can lower your home’s cooling and operating costs.  

Contact a CertainTeed professional today to learn more about the roof ventilation process and ventilating your residence!