Adequate ventilation helps protect your roof from moisture damage. If your roof doesn’t have enough exhaust or intake air vents, the warm, humid air trapped in your attic can create a host of roofing issues, which include mold (damp environments are the perfect breeding ground for mold) and spongy decking (excess moisture can dissolve the adhesives holding your roof decking together).
As a general rule, there should be a square foot of net free area (NFA) – the area through which air can pass – for every 300 square feet of floor area if your attic has a vapor barrier or for every 150 square feet of floor space if your attic doesn’t have a vapor barrier.
Keep in mind that more roof ventilation isn’t necessarily better. That’s because the airflow in your attic should be balanced: the amount of space dedicated to air intake must be the same as the space dedicated to air exhaust. That’s why if you’re not sure if your attic is adequately ventilated, it’s best to have a roofing contractor conduct an inspection.
Not all air vents can provide the same level of ventilation. Remember: there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach in home improvement projects, and residential and commercial roofing projects are no exception.
Here’s an overview of the most widely used air vents:
Box vents – Box vents don’t provide a lot of venting space, which is why you will need to install several of them to ensure your roof and attic are well-ventilated.
Ridge vents – If you think air vents are an eyesore and want to keep your home’s curb appeal intact, we recommend installing ridge vents. Since they’re are installed along the roof peak, they won’t draw attention to themselves.
Turbine vents – On windy days, turbine vents are very efficient. However, when the winds stop blowing, they won’t be able to provide any ventilation.
To learn more about your options, consult an experienced roofer.
Christian Brothers Roofing, a family-owned company with more than two decades of experience, offers a wide range of professional roofing services, including storm damage roof repair services. To get free estimate, call us at (270) 715-1999, or fill out this form.
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