Installing ventilation grilles on the roof moderates the temperature in an attic or on the roof. By preventing the roof space from getting too hot or too cold, the buildup of moisture levels is reduced. Allowing air in a property to circulate keeps the air fresh and reduces the risk of condensation. Roof vents are important because they extend roof life, reduce energy costs, and reduce extreme indoor temperatures.
They also prevent damage to shingles and prevent them from cracking. Roof ventilation allows air to flow through the attic space, escaping through roof vents. Properly installed roof vents will prevent the roof from overheating. They also prevent condensation from forming.
When the roof overheats or moisture accumulates, this can cause substantial damage or health risks. Natural roof ventilation is usually sufficient to remove moisture from attics in colder climates. Air circulates naturally due to temperature differences in the roof, so there is generally no need for mechanical or electrical assisted ventilation. Of course, this is only true if there are vents of the right size and location, and if they are free of obstructions, which can include years of cobwebs and dust, so we recommend an occasional cleaning of the roof vents.
That means that a 2,400 square foot home with a roof that has a moisture barrier would need 8 square feet of roof ventilation. If you're worried that your roof doesn't have enough ventilation, or you've noticed some of the issues mentioned here in your home, you should contact professional local roofing contractors to take a look and let you know what your options are. Although there are many different types of roof ventilation grilles to choose from, making sure you have the right number of intake and exhaust grilles is a central part of the roof design. They are typically made of high impact molded copolymer and are installed under a tile topcoat to give a seamless look to the roof.
Homeowners who are concerned that ventilation grilles will negatively affect the exterior appeal of the home should consider installing ventilation grilles along the back of the roof to make them less visible from the street. Now that we've reviewed how ventilation works and how you can properly ventilate a roof, let's expand on the benefits of roof ventilation. There are some styles of houses with vaulted roofs or houses with flat roofs that have ventilation spaces within the roof itself and do not have an attic. If you've climbed into your attic on a hot day (especially during an Oklahoma August), you know that this attribute alone is reason enough to install as many roof vents as you can.
A roof ventilation system works by providing a continuous flow of air through the attic space, helping to remove overheated air and moisture from the attic and roof system and reducing the impact of temperature changes and humidity conditions both inside and outside the home. Ventilation grilles allow warm air to rise and moisture to escape effectively as they are installed close to the roof ridge. The first step is to check the roof for ventilation grilles installed and make sure that they are not visibly blocked or damaged. If your home accommodates them, you can also satisfy the roof ventilation area requirement by installing gable vents that penetrate the siding and open into the unheated attic space.
In spring, when this ice melts, it will look like you have a roof leak when in fact there isn't one (spoiler alert: if your roof “leak” occurs on a sunny day, it's not a “leak”). Mark roof vent locations from the attic where you can see the rafters and avoid placing roof vents over them. You can also trust that neither the roofing system nor the contents of the attic will fall victim to the destructive effects of condensation, so common with poorly ventilated roofs. .
