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Proper attic ventilation is a vital component to your roof’s health and longevity. When warm, moist air gets trapped in your attic due to inadequate ventilation, it can damage your attic and contribute to the deterioration of your roofing system over time.
Ventilating your attic space ushers hot air out of your roof through ridge vents, powered vents, or other exhaust vents. Additionally, fresh air can infiltrate your attic along your soffits and eaves. This fresh intake ventilation allows cooler air to come into your attic (through lower vents) while warmer air exits (through higher vents).
The Problem with Inadequate Attic and Roof Ventilation
Causes Cracked and Curled Roof Shingles
Without proper ventilation, the trapped hot air in your attic can negatively impact your roof. Warm summer temperatures in your attic heat up your roofing components, deteriorate adhesives in your decking, and lead to cracked or curled roof shingles.
Compromises Your Roof Decking
Chilly winter air can cause condensation to form and get trapped when cold air in your attic collides with warm air from your house’s interior. This can cause swelling that creates a roof deck that looks wavy, and it can cause your roof deck to lose its ability to hold nails. Not good! Mold and mildew tend to grow in your attic when this situation occurs, leading to unhealthy conditions for you and your family—inside your home.
Voids Your Material Warranties
When you have your roof replaced, you get both a material warranty and a workmanship warranty. But if you have improper attic ventilation, that indicates your roof was not installed correctly and consequently, your roof material’s warranty from the manufacturer can be voided.
The Benefits of Proper Attic Ventilation
Preserves Your Roof
When you have just the right balance of cool air flowing into your attic and warm air flowing out of your attic, your roofing components will be preserved. Why? Because your attic temperature will be cooler throughout the year, allowing your roof decking and shingles to “breathe” with ample circulation of cool air in and warm air out of your attic.
Lengthens the Lifespan of Your HVAC Unit
With the right amount of air circulating in and out of your attic due to proper ventilation, your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard each summer. This means you won’t have to replace it as soon as you would with improper attic ventilation.
Saves You on Energy Usage
You’ll lower your monthly energy bills by adequately venting your attic space and keeping it at a lower temperature. When outdoor temperatures are 90 degrees, an attic with poor ventilation can reach 170 degrees. This causes the rooms in your home to be uncomfortably warm, which increases energy use. Ventilate your attic well, and you’ll save on utilities.
Decrease the Risk of Harmful Ice Dams on Your Roof
When cold winter air passes through your attic, your roof’s temperature is cooler, and this aids in preventing the cycle of snow melting and refreezing (which can cause destructive ice dams). Proper attic ventilation decreases the possibility of damaging ice dams. An ice dam is a heavy ridge of ice that forms at the edge of your roof because snow melts during the day and refreezes when outdoor temperatures drop.
Safeguard Your Roofing System
When heat builds up in your attic due to improper ventilation, it stresses your shingles. This can cause your roof to age faster, meaning you’ll need to replace it sooner than you would if your attic was adequately ventilated.
Do You Have the Right Balance of Intake and Exhaust Vents in Your Attic and Roofing System?
Have a Roofing Contractor Assess How Much Ventilation Your Home Needs
A contractor can look at the size of your attic and help determine if you have enough ventilation or not. You may have some attic ventilation, but not enough. Or your home may currently have enough exhaust vents but inadequate intake ventilation. Finding the needed balance between the two is vital to the health of your roof and its components. You should have ample exhaust vents at or near the ridge of your roof, and enough intake vents at or near your overhang or soffit area.
Learn Which Type of Exhaust Vents Work with Your Roof’s Shape
Find out what type of exhaust vents your home’s roof can accommodate so you are aware of your options. Some homes have ridgelines that aren’t long enough to install the proper amount of exhaust ventilation on them. If a ridge vent isn’t an option, power vents or roof louvers may be a better solution.
Assess Your Attic Ventilation
Are your upstairs rooms uncomfortable during the summer? Do you have ice dams on your roof during the winter? Is your attic harboring mold growth? These are some of the signs of a poorly ventilated attic.
Ask Your Contractor if Intake or Exhaust Ventilation Should be Enhanced
Make sure your soffit vents aren’t blocked by exterior paint or covered in attic insulation, hindering their function. See if your home needs more intake ventilation and if your contractor can add it.
Assess Your Current Attic Insulation (and Remedy It as Needed)
Proper attic insulation will resist heat transfer into your home. If your attic insulation is moist or moldy, it should be replaced. Ask your roofing contractor to inspect your insulation to ensure you have enough.
To Ensure Its Longevity, Protect Your New Roof with Proper Ventilation
Don’t risk the problems improper ventilation can create. Get a roof replacement along with attic and roof ventilation so your roof will perform as it was designed to. At Giant Siding & Windows, we are a GAF certified residential roofing contractor, so you can rest at ease knowing your new roof was installed with precision and according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. We’ve been family owned and operated for three generations. Learn more about how our roofing services can safeguard your home from the elements.
