In this article, you will learn:
1. What is Roofing Ventilation?
2. 6 Risks of Inefficient Roof Ventilation
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Maintaining a property is an ongoing commitment, and in terms of energy-efficiency – it can also be a challenge!
With a variety of important structures working together to support your home, there are a number of hidden components that don’t always receive the attention they deserve.
Although your attic may not be the first thing that comes to mind when trying to lower your energy expenses, it’s important to understand how roofing ventilation can impact the overall quality, comfort and longevity of your home.
By allowing air to flow through your attic and roofing structures, your home will be able to regulate heat, moisture, ice and snow conditions no matter the season!
At T. Simpson Roofing Ltd., we pride ourselves on helping our clients maintain safer, more reliable homes.
To help you better protect your property, the following article will explain the important functions of roofing ventilation and 6 major risks of inefficient ventilation:
What is Roofing Ventilation?
Roofing ventilation is an essential part of maintaining a healthy, functional and energy-efficient home.
While there are a number of different vent types to choose from, the common goal is to help your attic and roofing structures circulate air, release heat and condensation, and prevent the buildup of moisture, mold and/or ice.
With factors such as code requirements, regional climate and ceiling design all taken into consideration, there are two main types of roof ventilation that each home requires:
1. Exhaust Vents: exhaust vents are typically located on the top of the roof and are designed to release hot air that is sucked in through the soffit vents.
2. Intake Vents: intake vents are typically located along the horizontal wood surface below the eaves (referred to as the soffit). By drawing cool air in from the outside of the home, the intake vents are able to improve attic ventilation and reduce the risk of trapped heat, condensation, mold and/or moisture damage.
Together, these exhaust and intake vents create a continuous flow of air throughout the entire roofing structure.
Although there are a variety of styles and configurations of these vents depending on the needs, climate and structural design of the home, it is best to consult a trained professional to determine which style is best for you.
6 Risks of Inefficient Roofing Ventilation
Sizzling summers and unforgiving winters are not only short descriptions of our harsh Canadian climate, but they are also two major reasons to take your roof’s ventilation seriously.
While it was not documented until the early-to-mid 20th century, there are a number of problems that can arise when your attic is not able to release the buildup of heat, moisture or condensation from your home.
Without a proper ventilation system installed, your home could be at risk of:
1. Higher Energy Expenses:
Although windows and doors are often the first thing a homeowner might look at when dealing with energy-efficiency problems, improper roof ventilation can also force your HVAC system to work twice as hard!
As the warm summer months cause hot air to rise into your attic space, this heat buildup gets trapped within your home making it much harder to maintain a comfortable temperature.
As your cooling system works harder to compensate, you may find that your energy bills appear much higher than they should be!
2. Risk of Mold/Moisture:
Where moisture damage occurs, mold will often follow.
As trapped heat can turn into condensation within your attic, this moisture can result in damaged wood, mold and fungus that can spread further into your home’s insulation and structures until properly repaired.
Since the spread of mold can present serious health risks to the homeowner(s) and their families when inhaled, it is very important to consult a professional when traces of mold and/or water damage are found within your property.
3. Ice Damage:
Ice buildup (also referred to as ice damming) is a common problem for many Canadian homeowners.
When heat from the inside of your attic combines with the heat from the sun, it is not uncommon to see melted snow transform into icicles along the edges of your roof!
Unfortunately, this ice buildup can seep into your roofing materials (and even your attic) causing a great deal of damage to the internal structures as well. With proper ventilation, the warm air will have a chance to escape before it can melt the snow, preventing the risk of ice, flooding and water damage.
4. Temperature Inconsistencies:
While ice, mold and energy expenses are important factors to consider, so is the comfort of your home!
While proper ventilation can help moderate temperatures within the attic, it can also play an important role in regulating comfortable temperatures within the rest of the house.
As heat rises, it is not uncommon to feel extreme temperature differences between the different floors of your home. By allowing your roof to expel hot air and allow cool air to enter, your home will feel much more comfortable all year-round.
5. Decreased Property Value:
Although your property might seem to be in great shape from curb level, a thorough property inspection will expose any internal problems that exist.
When trying to sell a property with poor ventilation and/or roof damage, you may find yourself having to compromise your selling potential to account for any repairs and/or replacement expenses.
As roof replacements can be a very expensive renovation project, we highly recommend implementing a routine roof maintenance schedule to ensure that it is always functioning as it should.
6. Shortens The Lifespan of Your Roofing Structure:
Without proper ventilation, your attic and roofing structures are exposed to a number of risks; ranging from condensation and water damage to mold, ice buildup and more!
Unfortunately, this wear-and-tear can have a severe impact on the functionality of your overall roofing structure, limiting how long it will last.
Although the lifespan of a roof can vary depending on a variety of factors (such as materials, maintenance, climate exposure etc), failing to install a functional ventilation system will decrease your roof’s efficiency, resulting in expensive repairs in the long-run.
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If you are interested in learning more about our roof ventilation options, Click here or call 1-800-925-3044 for more information!
