Even though they’re not typically part of your home’s living spaces, attics require constant airflow, which requires a proper ventilation system. In today’s post, the roofing and siding contractors at Ken Morton & Sons LLC take a look at what makes ventilation a key part of every roofing system.
Heat and humidity tend to accumulate at the highest part of a building, which, on a sloped roof, would be the attic. Lacking a ventilation system, heat and moisture would be trapped in the attic and cause a number of problems, like moisture damage to the roof framing and insulation and mold growth. During the winter season, heat in the attic can contribute to the formation of ice dams and icicles at the roof edges. Trapped heat in the attic may also radiate back into the indoor spaces, which can affect your utility bills during the cooling season.
A standard attic ventilation system consists of two parts: exhaust vents located at or near the highest part of the roof, and intake vents located at the lowest areas, which, in most roofs, would be the soffit vents. As the exhaust vents expel warm and humid air from the attic, the difference in air pressure creates airflow that pulls cool air through the soffit vents.
Attic ventilation can be achieved with a combination of passive and mechanical ventilation systems. Passive ventilation is the most common, as it utilizes differences in air pressure to create airflow, as described above. Exhaust vents can be installed on an existing roof by way of roof repairs. Most sloped roofs have vents located at the ridges. Specially-designed shingles, called ridge caps, hide the vents and protect them from damage. Other types of passive ventilation systems, like louvered vents and roof turbine vents, protrude from the roof and may impact the house’s curb appeal.
Mechanical ventilation are exhaust fans that forcibly removes warm air from the attic. Exhaust fans are typically wired and manually turned off and on during certain times of the day, but it can be hooked up into a thermostat so it starts and stops automatically. Look for solar-powered options so you won’t have to worry about its impact on your energy bills.
Searching online for “roofers near me“? Look no further and give Ken Morton & Sons LLC a call at (856) 582-8800. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation. We serve Sewell, NJ, and the surrounding communities.