Why is roof ventilation important?
Most homeowners are unaware that attic ventilation can impact the longevity of their entire home! From long-term moisture problems, to extra air-conditioning expenses, to shingle deterioration, your home can be at risk without proper ventilation. Proper attic ventilation allows for a continual flow of outside air through the attic, protecting the efficiency of the insulation and helping to lower temperatures in the living space. It consists of a balance between air intake (at your eaves or soffits) and air exhaust (at or near your roof ridge).
Unvented: Radiant heat penetrating through roof sheathing and attic enters living areas of home. Vented: With proper ventilation the heat is vented out of the attic keeping living areas cooler.
Summer ventilation
Ventilate with Duraflo to remove summer heat drastically! Without proper ventilation, trapped summer heat builds up in the attic, warming the living space below. Eventually, this accumulation of heat begins to have more practical and costly consequences. Added energy consumption to power air- conditioning systems and other cooling equipment, as well as costs associated with distorted shingles and premature failure of roofing materials.
Unvented: Moisture rising up through the house condenses in the attic, causing damage to studs, insulation, and other materials. Vented: A vented attic allows moisture to escape.
Winter ventilation
Effectively remove winter moisture! Without proper ventilation, heat from the home can build in the attic space, then cool and condense, soaking the insulation and ceilings with moisture. Eventually, the condensation drips on the insulation below. If too much water soaks into the insulation, its volume can be compressed and its effectiveness reduced. This sequence of events leads to colder rooms – which in effect leads to a greater need for heat, greater use of the furnace and higher energy bills. As with heat buildup, moisture buildup has long-term effects. The structural elements of the house absorb moisture, leading to wood rot, water stains, paint damage and the deterioration of roofing materials.
Unvented: Heat entering attic from the home melts the snow on the roof and forms destructive ice dams. Vented: Heat is vented out of the attic creating a cold roof.
Winter also creates special attic ventilation problems in areas where snowfall and cold temperatures are common occurrences. The formation of ice dams prevents melt water from running off a roof, thus causing damages to roof structure. Ice dams can form when the following conditions exist:
- Warm air accumulates near the peak of an attic
- Lower areas of roof remain cold
- Heavy snow cover accumulates on the roof
Good ventilation
- Proper number of vents positioned correctly along the ridge line
- Proper soffit ventilation that allows cool air to enter through the soffit replacing the warm air that rises through the roof vents
- Did you know? Ideally, your attic temperature should approximate the outside temperature
Improper mixing of vents
The most common installation is as shown below. Most of the air being exhausted by the turbines is being drawn in through the roof vents. This eliminates the air flow required to have an effective ventilation system. This is why it is important not to mix ventilation types on the same ridge.
Duraflo products provide exceptional protection against weather infiltration. Designed with ease of installation, cold impact resistance, UV protection and colour selection, they offer a variety of types to suit your home’s needs. Use the Duraflo ventilation calculator for extra help understanding the requirements for your home.
Visit your local Home Centre today for a great selection of Duraflo Roof Ventilation products!
