Your roof is much more than shingles. A healthy roof includes items inside your attic including proper ventilation at the ridge. Especially in the extremes of the year, this is an efficient way to reap the benefits of attic airflow. Read on to learn more about why investing in high-quality ventilation for your attic is a smart choice.
The Scientific Principles Behind Attic Ventilation
You may think that having your attic completely sealed is the smartest choice and for some, if done properly, this can be accomplished. However, an attic without a vent, traps moisture and heat inside the house. Warm, moist air can cause a lot of damage, both in the summer and the winter. It is a safe harbor for mold spores to propagate as well as an avenue for wood rot to occur. These can damage the structure of your home which, if left unattended, can lead to a major project to resolve.
A ridge vent helps to bring dry, cool air into the attic via the soffit. You may have noticed the small openings, usually covered by screen or metal vent covers, that line the soffit around your home. These soffit vents allow air to enter your attic space from a dry and cool area of your home. If however, there is no space for this air to escape once in your attic, it will sit stagnant and collect moisture. A properly installed ridge vent will create a nice, steady flow of air from the soffit to the ridge. This in-turn, keeps the air in your attic dry and the chance for mold and wood rot to a minimum.
So, What Should Homeowners Do?
If you want to avoid heat buildup in your home, you should invest in ventilation for your attic. Doing so can prevent a lot of damage caused by excess heat during the summer and moisture buildup in the winter.
Creating consistent airflow in your attic is the best way to prevent damage to your roof structure and home. You should make sure the air has adequate intake and exhaust. This is accomplished by placing approximately one square foot of ridge vent for every 150 square feet of attic space. A professional from M&M Home Remodeling can give you the ideal setup for your home.
The Benefits of Proper Attic Ventilation.
There are a lot of benefits to proper ventilation of the attic. Firstly, it improves the flow of air through the attic, promoting a dry, cool space. Secondly, it minimizes moisture, preventing it from damaging shingles and structural wood or getting trapped in your insulation. Thirdly, by keeping your roof surface at a more constant temperature, it lessens the amount of damage snow and ice can cause to your roof. And lastly, it provides consistent ventilation, leading to less unnecessary energy consumption.
What If You Already Have a Finished Attic?
If you want to reap the benefits of attic ventilation, you may think you have to renovate your roof. However, there is a simpler way to achieve attic ventilation. You can install insulation baffles or rafter vents on your roof. These vents create narrow passageways that let out hot, damp air. The fresh air from outside can still come in through the soffit vents on the edges of the roof. Rafter vents are a quick and easy way to obtain the benefits of proper attic ventilation without affecting the look of the attic.
Do You Want to Learn More About Ridge Vents?
If you want to learn more about vent installation for attics, contact us now. We’ll take you through our installation process and help you decide on a vent that’s best for you. The longer you wait, the more your home suffers for it.
