As a homeowner, it is important to learn about proper attic ventilation. Air needs to flow freely through your attic space to keep moisture and heat from building up inside your home. This is where roof vents come into the picture. These vents are designed to allow warm air to escape, keeping your attic cooler.
Installing roof vents is a fairly straightforward process. Before you do, however, there are some important things that you need to know.
The Benefits Of Roof Vents
There are a lot of excellent reasons to install roof vents. Some of the primary benefits that they provide include:
– Proper ventilation keeps the air inside the attic cooler during the winter so that it won’t melt the snow on the roof during the day. This reduces the risk of ice dams and leaks.
– By keeping the air in the attic cooler and dryer, condensation is also less likely to form. This helps protect the insulation and other building materials in the attic space.
– Cooler attic temperatures can make it easier to keep your home cool during the summer, reducing your energy usage.
– Roof vents help your roofing materials last longer by preventing condensation from forming underneath them.
These are just some of the ways that roof vents can help protect your home. When you consider all of the advantages that they have to offer, it is easy to see why they are considered such an essential addition to any home.
Understanding How Roof Vents Work
Most homes use passive ventilation in the attic space. In essence, systems like these have intake vents that are located at the base of the roof or attic space. These vents are used to draw cool air in. At the top of the roof, there are exhaust vents. These vents allow hot air to escape.
Ventilation systems like these take advantage of the fact that hot air naturally rises. In an attic, the warmest air will naturally rise up toward the ceiling. Installing exhaust vents at the highest point in the attic allows this warm air to escape. As it does, cool air is naturally drawn in through the intake vents that are located lower down in the room. With this type of system, air naturally flows through the space, helping to keep heat from building up.
Installing Roof Vents
There are a lot of different types of roof vents out there. The installation process varies depending on the specific vent style that you choose.
For instance, ridge vents are installed along the peak of the roof at the highest point. Static vents, on the other hand, are installed through the roof. They stick up from the roofline and have a special cover that keeps rain from getting in.
Once you decide what style of roof vents you want to use, follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely during installation. This will help ensure that the vents are installed correctly.
Installing roof vents is a relatively easy process. Despite that, you still may want to hire a professional to handle the installation for you – particularly if you aren’t comfortable working on your roof.
