Roof Vents & Attic Vents

Roof vents and attic vents are an extremely important component of your home. Their function is to create balanced air flow and ventilation in the attic. Without proper balance, problems can occur. The right number of roof and attic vents will extend the life of your roof and help prevent expensive repairs. The Problems Resulting from Inadequate Roof and Attic Vents •    Air gets rapped in the attic with improper ventilation, creating an ideal environment for mold to grow. Mold can lead to serious health problems. •    Your air conditioning system will have to work harder. During the summer, the temperature in your attic can reach 150 degrees Fahrenheit. This forces your air conditioner to work harder to keep your home cool. This wastes of energy and results in higher energy bills. •    The hot air can bake the underside of your roofing and shingles, causing them to warp or crack, shortening their lifespan. •    During the winter, the warm, moist air from your heating system gets trapped in the attic. This causes snow on the roof to melt. When the outside air temperature drops, the melted snow freezes into ice and causes ice dams. Ice dams often lead to roof leaks and shingle damage. Types of Vents: Intake Vents and Exhaust Vents There are two types of attic and roof vents: intake vents and exhaust vents. Intake vents are those placed along the soffit (the area under the overhang). Intake vents allow fresh air into the attic. Exhaust vents are installed in the upper third of the roof to allow the air in the attic to escape. Intake Vents There are three types of intake vents used for residential roofing: gable, static and soffit. Each vent provides a different form of ventilation and is important to the overall functioning of your roof. 1. Gable – These vents are installed in the gable wall located right below the peak of the roof. Gable vents help heat escape during the summer and they prevent condensation during the winter. There are many decorative gable vents on the market, available in different shapes and colors.  2. Static – Also known as louvers, static roof vents are covered openings on the roof. They allow air to escape from the attic. Several static roof vents are required to properly ventilate the attic. They are installed near the top of the roof. 3. Soffit - Soffit vents are located under the eaves, right near the gutters. Exhaust Vents There are two types of exhaust vents: static vents and power vents 1. Static Vents – These allow air to escape without power. Ridge vents are one type of static vents. They allow the most air to escape and are installed near the roof peak. Ridge vents are the most effective types of vents. 2. Power Ventilators – These vents remove air from the attic. Also known as turbine vents, they use the power of the wind to move the air in and out of the attic. They are installed along the face of the roof. When the wind blows, it spins the turbine, which draws air up and out of the attic.