Proper Attic Ventilation is the Key to a Long-Lasting Roofing System
Ensure That Your Roof Gets What It Needs – Hire an Expert General Contractor
Proper roof and attic ventilation is an important part of your roofing system. Adequate roof venting pulls fresh air into the attic and pushes out heat and moisture. This in turn reduces the temperature difference between the air outside and in the attic.
When this is done correctly, proper roof ventilation will reduce the risk of potential problems and extend the life of the roofing system. However, poor roof ventilation can cause a variety of problems that can lead to expensive repairs. These can include mold and mildew, rust, saggy or spongy decking, deterioration, frost, ice dams and air conditioner replacement.
Types of Attic Ventilation Systems
With a balanced motor and blade design, power vents quickly exhaust heat or humidity from any attic. They work on a thermostat, which automatically turns the fan on when cooling is needed. One power attic ventilator is usually sufficient unless it’s a very large attic. Gable-mounted power vents are an excellent option for tile roof ventilation.
A ridge vent runs the entire length of the roof peak, blending into the roof line for better aesthetics. They work year-round and provide evenly distributed ventilation along the entire underside of the roof. Despite their slim design and visual appeal, they provide a higher volume of airflow per square foot of attic area than any other fixed vent system.
Turbines are passive ventilation systems. They are powered by the wind itself, and they do not use electricity – meaning they are extremely energy-efficient. They are also less noisy than most fan varieties, but they do remove a lot of hot air from the attic. Even a small turbine can remove over 300 cubic feet of hot air every minute. When there is no wind speed to drive the turbine, they still allow hot air to rise through the open flaps of the turbine.
Louvers are an inexpensive and popular way to ventilate your attic. They are not as effective as power or ridge venting, but they can work well when properly placed. You will, however, require more of them to be placed evenly across your roof in order for the system to work effectively. This may not look as aesthetically pleasing as other options, so you should discuss this in detail with your contractor. They do come in a variety of styles to match your home.
Box vents are the lowest-cost solution for roof ventilation. These is also a louvered vent, which means it is a static gravity vent with a cover. They are the most common ventilation system installed on builder-grade roofs. Several box vents are needed to achieve the ventilation of one wind turbine. Korrect will always recommend upgrading from box vents. During an insurance claim, we will upgrade your ventilation at no additional cost. There are instances where they are sufficient, but not as the primary ventilation for your roof.
Your PVC roof jacks are critical to the roofing system as they allow moisture and unwanted exhaust to escape the home without damaging the structure. Most builder-grade roofs are installed with rubber boots around these vents. These are quite insufficient for Texas homes. Excessive heat – which our area is known for – causes them to crack and erode. This will lead to leaks that can cause structural damage to your roofing system. Replacing these with lead jacks is an effective and inexpensive way to avoid these issues. We will always recommend that homeowners upgrade this component and will do it automatically in an insurance claim.
Need Advice on Attic Ventilation? Call Korrect Today
Don’t let improper ventilation ruin your roof. Contact Korrect General Contracting, LLC at (817) 888-8827 or submit our online request form now to schedule a FREE inspection.
