Attic Ventilation: Why It’s Good for Your Roof

Maintaining the health of your roofing system is more than just taking care of the actual roof or shingles. It is important to pay close attention to attic ventilation as well. Proper attic ventilation plays a key role in the longevity of a roof system. It can help your roof last longer and prevent issues that could potentially require costly repairs.

 

Here’s how attic ventilation works and the benefits that you can get from it.

How It Works

Attic ventilation usually includes intake vents (located along the soffits) and exhaust vents (located at the peak or roof ridge). This design allows a continuous flow of air throughout your attic space. Soffit vents typically draw in cooler outdoor air while ridge vents enable warm, humid air to exit your attic.

Furthermore, in cold climates, proper attic ventilation is used to mix cool outside air with attic air so that less snow would melt on the roof. This helps maintain a “cold” roof system and avoid damage that may be caused by ice damming. In warm climates, proper attic ventilation enables hot air to be expelled so as to prevent moisture problems.

Benefits of Proper Attic Ventilation

When you ask your roofing repair contractor about the benefits of proper attic ventilation, these are just some of the advantages that they would likely discuss:

• It helps reduce moisture in your attic. Excessive moisture buildup in the attic space can potentially damage the structure and degrade your roof system. Furthermore, this could also result in mold growth.

• It helps prevent damage to your roof shingles. Extreme heat in your attic can bake the shingles and cause them to prematurely age or deteriorate.

• It helps you save energy. Heat buildup in your attic means that your air conditioning would have to work harder to cool down your home, particularly the living space directly below your attic. This often results in higher energy bills since your cooling system is consuming more energy to keep your indoor temperature at a comfortable level.

If you are looking for a roofing contractor, Blackstone Exteriors is one of the most trusted companies in the area. The company provides quality products and exceptional service and offers some of the industry’s top warranties. Call us at (515) 720-2158, or fill out our contact form to request a quote.