Your attic is much more than simply a place to store things. It is a component of your whole roofing system, and to get the most out of your roof, you must ensure that your attic is adequately ventilated. Not only can effective attic ventilation help you save money on electricity, but it will also help your roof endure as long as possible. Proper ventilation requires that fresh air be allowed to enter the attic area while allowing stale air to exit.

This is performed by placing ventilation towards the bottom of your attic space at the soffits or eaves (intake) and near the top peak(s) or ridge(s) of your attic space (exhaust). This will let the air circulate, keeping the attic area at a consistent temperature and humidity level regardless of the season. However, for attic ventilation to be successful, the ventilation system’s intake and exhaust must be matched.

Because the natural forces of air pressure generate a push-pull effect around your roof, balanced ventilation is accomplished when intake and exhaust allow for the same amount of airflow. Hot air cannot escape without adequate exhaust. Without adequate input, air will only flow over the top of the attic, leaving stagnant air at the bottom. Circulation is also constrained when vents of the roof ventilator Perth are only on one side of the attic, which is analogous to the impact of just opening windows on one side of a house on a breezy day.

Warm air naturally makes its way into an attic because hot air rises, and it will remain there if the area is inadequately aired. On a 90°-day, attic temperatures can reach 140° or more, and this unventilated air can make its way back into lower-level living rooms, causing air conditioners, fans, and other energy-consuming equipment to work harder. When you consider that cooling accounts for about 6% of overall utility expenses in the average house, this is no minor feat. However, with sufficient ventilation, this heated air rises and escapes rather than remaining trapped.

Winter weather can also pose problems for attics. Warm, wet air rising from living rooms into a poorly ventilated attic will condense on cold surfaces as temperatures drop. This moisture can accumulate over time and cause the roof decking to bend, expand, and rot, rendering it unable to securely retain nails and reducing its load capacity. Condensation also promotes the formation of mound and mildew, which irritates allergy sufferers and degrades indoor air quality. Heat trapped in the attic during the winter causes snow on a rooftop to melt and slide down towards the eaves and gutters, which aren’t exposed to the heat from within the attic. A well-ventilated attic area, on the other hand, will exhaust the heat, remain evenly chilly, and prevent this dangerous freeze-thaw cycle from taking root.

Don’t worry, just because your attic isn’t adequately vented doesn’t imply you need to replace your roof. Proper ventilation is a simple but efficient approach to preserve both your investment and your budget, and there are ventilation alternatives for all roofs that will keep your house from experiencing any of the difficulties listed above. Contact a roofing specialist and request an inspection to determine which venting option is appropriate for your property. Many roofing contractors may offer to examine your roof system for free.