If you’re wondering “why is ventilation important for my roofing system?” Let Louisiana Roof Crafters help you out. You probably learned that hot air rises. To lift hundreds of pounds of weight off the ground, hot air balloons harness the rising force of lighter, heated air. Since heated air rises, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that it will try to reach the highest point of any building as well. However, if the attic and roof aren’t ventilated, the subsequent buildup of heat can cause the following problems:
Harder to cool your home in the summer.
You can expect your attic to become hotter as your roof becomes hotter due to sun exposure. You may also find that it is difficult to regulate the temperature of your interior living space as the attic heats up. You’ll have to run your air conditioning more frequently and for longer periods, which will increase the amount of energy you use and your monthly bills, resulting in higher energy bills and greater wear-and-tear on your unit. Roofs made of metal tend to be reflective and tend to remain cooler than those made of other materials, but on a sunny day, your roof and attic can still become hot. There is simply no way to escape trapped heat if there is no proper ventilation.
Ice dam formation in the winter
In winter weather, capturing warm air can help reduce some of your interior heating needs; indeed, it can be helpful to reduce the need to heat your resident during the coldest months. However, unvented roofs have negative impacts in the winter, too. The liquid from melted snow or ice can quickly refreeze on and around your roof overhangs when the roof is warmed, resulting in the formation of dangerous and damaging ice dams. To prevent roof ice dams from forming, it is important to have the right roof ventilation.
Potential interior condensation issues
As a result of poor insulation and inadequate venting, some roofing materials are susceptible to conduction cooling, commonly known as “sweating.” This condensation can breed unhealthy mold and mildew, destroying roof infrastructure over time. Aside from this, things like washing, cooking, and bathing generate ample moisture within your interior living space since there is no way for this moisture to escape.
Your Roof Needs to Breathe
To keep your roof cooler and drier, you must have proper attic ventilation. Make sure that your roof ventilation plan includes a well-designed ventilation system, no matter which roof replacement material you select. Make sure fresh air can enter from below and hot air can escape from above by placing a proper balance of intake and exhaust vents.
The Right Approach to Roof Ventilation
The most common roof ventilation systems are designed with a static ventilation principle, although you can add forced-air fans to help move air through your attic. Natural airflow is the basis of static ventilation since it doesn’t require forced airflow. Heat and moisture are transferred through your attic and out of your roof through a system of installed vents by rising warm air. Maintaining a balance between intake and exhaust vents is the key. Just adding an exhaust vent isn’t enough if there aren’t equally matched intake vents to ensure proper airflow. To have a successful roof ventilation system, balance, and flow are essential. Here are just a few types of vents that can be used:
Ridge Vents
Ridge vents are commonly used in many types of roofing systems; these vents run along the length of the roof ridge. You can install vents where the angles meet at the top, and you can also consider including ridge cap flashing, depending on the type of roofing material you choose. Large volumes of warm, moist air can escape to the exterior through the ridge venting design.
Intake Vents
It is important to note that more than ridge vents are needed to provide roof ventilation. Without a proper air intake system, you simply will not be able to get the airflow required for adequate ventilation. This is why soffit vents or drip edge vents are commonly installed on the lower edges of roofs. Fresh air is drawn into the system naturally as hot air rises in the attic, allowing more consistent, constant airflow throughout. If you want your ridge vents to function properly, you should include as many intake vents as are needed to match the needed volume of air outflow.
Gable Vents
There are sometimes gable vents installed near the peak of the side gable areas, and these can help either with ventilation or exhaust. Adding gable vents to your roof won’t substitute for a balanced ridge-and-eave ventilation system, but you can use them to add additional ventilation where needed. A gable vent adds aesthetic value to the exterior of a roof, which is another reason why many homeowners value them.
Why LA Roof Crafters Is Your Best Choice for Both Roofing and Proper Roof Ventilation Installation
You must always account for roof ventilation when you install a roof for your home or other roofed building, regardless of the type of roofing material you select. A well-ventilated roof is essential if you’ve got one overhead.
Call Louisiana Roof Crafters at 225-238-6396 for more information. We service areas in Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, Hammond, Covington, Mandeville, Slidell, and New Orleans, LA.
