The roof is one of the most important elements of every building. After all, it is not coincidental that the phrase ‘a roof over your head’ is used so often when speaking of security and safety. With that said, it’s worth thinking about proper maintenance techniques that will result in the longevity of your roof. And one of the steps you simply cannot miss when it comes to the quality and long life of your roof is ventilation. Not only will the lack of it do damage to your home, but also raise your energy bills. Let’s see what are some additional reason to get roof ventilation.
The way roof ventilation works
Most attics and roofs are equipped with ventilation. It is usually in the form of a fan in the side of the attic under the eaves or a ridge cap at the peak of the roof. These allow the roof to be properly ventilated, thus greatly contributing to the overall roof maintenance.
In essence, roof ventilation will help the air from the outside to pass through and out of your attic. That is to say, it will keep the air flowing through your attic, rather than allowing it to sit. This will remove excess heat and moisture from the air inside your attic. And this bears great importance when it comes to the ‘health’ of your roof, walls, beams, and other construction elements.
Air is taken in through your soffits and eaves and is further exhausted through the roof at the ridge cap or by a roof vent. This system accommodates the right air balance in your attic, which results in keeping your whole home or business comfortable.
How much roof ventilation does an average household require?
It is important noting that most roofs tend to be under-ventilated. Taking this into account, one can assume that many people don’t know just how much roof ventilation they need, or what kind works best for their property. While hiring Dallas roofing services will ensure this is not your case, it is still good to know this for yourself.
The Federal Housing Administration recommends that you have 1 square foot of attic exhaust for every 300 square feet of attic space. This would include both intake and exhaust.
Reasons to get roof ventilation
One of the best ways to regard the reasons to get roof ventilation is to look at the consequences of not having it. Namely, the lack of proper ventilation can cause a whole heap of problems in and around your home. In addition, depending on the climate you live in, the lack of proper ventilation can have a serious impact on your energy bills. Not to mention the bad impact on the lifespan of your roof and even other building elements.
Avoiding super-heated attic
Not having attic ventilation will prevent the air from moving through space underneath your roof. And, with the air being trapped inside your attic, it will start to head up with the sun beating down on the roof. What you get is a super-heated attic. And while you may think that it all stays just in the attic, the heat will rather transfer itself through the floor and begin to warm the rooms of your home or business. When you transfer this situation to summertime in Dallas TX, for example, what you get is super high energy bills as your fans and AC will have to work more in order to combat that heat.
Thinking about the lifespan of your roof shingles
While all elements of the roof have to be replaced at some point in the future, what you can do is ensure that that moment does not come sooner than it has to. Of course, reliable commercial roofing Dallas services will provide you will all that you need, including quality materials and professional service. However, you are able to save that money and time just by installing roof ventilation. Take your roof shingles for example. The super-heated roof will greatly affect the life span of these elements. So, not only will the heat from your attic be transferred into your living space, but it will also have an effect on the roof itself. And this will further cause shingles to become overheated, essentially frying them and decreasing their lifespan.
Preventing warped wood and walls
One of the great reasons to get roof ventilation is to prevent the damage the heat can cause with your attic construction. The super-heated attic can warp the wood framing. This can lead to warped walls and door frames. It can also transfer down the walls and blister your paint and wallpaper.
There are reasons to get roof ventilation even for the wintertime
While summer can cause a lot of issues with your roof and attic if you lack ventilation, winter has its threats as well. During the cold months, steam from your shower, dryer, and kitchen can all get trapped in the attic. Whilst here, it will further condense. And the end result of condensation can drip back down on your insulation, making it less effective. Not to mention that it can lead to the growth of mold and mildew. That situation means a whole lot of problems. Condensation and excess moisture can also form on your eaves and soffits. This will drive the moisture back up under your roof, and form ice dams that can cause leaks.
One of the main reasons to get roof ventilation is the safety and security of your whole home. When you have the right professionals to take care of it, proper ventilation will keep the air moving all year long. It will move the moisture out of the attic before it can condense, or cause any other trouble. So, if you haven’t already, make sure that you invest in this important roof feature.
