Roof ventilation is important in any home. When a roof is adequately ventilated, not only is the roof protected, but the home itself. A roof vent releases heat from inside the attic which prevents problems such as moisture, condensation, mold, mildew, ice dams, and roof deterioration.
Utilizing a roof vent will help with energy costs, protect belongings that stored in the attic, and extend the life of your roof. The two types of vents that are necessary are inlet air vents and outlet air vents. These vents are also known as Attic Vents. One will not work without the other. The inlet air vents allow fresh air inside and are located near the eaves of the roof. The outlet air vents are located near the ridge line and allow air to leave the attic.
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There are different options for roof ventilation. The basic roof vent is a non-mechanical fixed vent that is placed near the ridge line. These vents are not mechanical. They just sit on the roof and allow the air to escape. These Attic Vents are typically spaced every two feet apart.
The next type of ventilation is a soffit vent. This type of vent is an intake vent. It is placed near the soffit of the roof and allows fresh air to enter the attic. A soffit vent is used along with outtake vents such as ridge, or fixed vents.
Gable vents are often used on pitched roofs. They are located at the top of the pitch which is on the sides of the home. They consist of screened, louvers that open and allow air to leave the attic.
Wind Turbine vents is located at the top of the roof. They have vanes that catch the wind and spin, allowing for air and moisture to be released from the attic.
Another type of roof ventilation is ridge vent. This is a continuous strip of ventilation that is located across the peak of a roof. The even spacing of the ridge vent provides an even outtake of air flow.
Roofing ventilation is a necessary part of a roof. The general rule of thumb is 1/300. This means that one square foot of ventilation is needed for every 300 square feet of attic space. If installed properly, a roof vent will keep your roof in prime condition while keeping your attic dry.
