What if there were a way to keep your house cooler in the summer and prevent ice build-up in the winter? It can happen and it doesn’t require magic–just a solid roof ventilation system. Like people, houses need to breathe. Our ancestors understood this, but it’s something builders seem to have forgotten about for a few decades. As we relearn how houses function, we’re more aware of the important role roof ventilation plays in keeping houses happy.
How Does Roof Ventilation Work?
In simple terms, roof ventilation means getting air to move through your attic, releasing hot air as it rises. This prevents heat from getting trapped in the summer and making your house hotter than it needs to be. It also prevents the dangerous cycle of melting and refreezing snow on your roof that causes ice dams in winter.
Installing a roof ventilation system usually means setting up an intake point called an eave vent at the bottom of the attic where fresh air moves in, along with exhaust vents at the top near the roof ridge. This means air comes in at the bottom and exits at the top, creating a natural cooling airflow. You can also have a thermostatically controlled series of fans as part of the ventilation system in houses with finished attics.
What Are the Benefits of Roof Ventilation?
In the Mid-Atlantic, a roof ventilation system has benefits all year long. It keeps the air circulating in your attic and helps regulate temperature, avoiding extreme temperatures in the attic that can have an impact on your whole house.
We all know that hot air rises, and when it gets trapped in a poorly ventilated attic in summer, this makes your house hotter than it needs to be. Trapped air puts more pressure on your air conditioning system and makes your energy bills rise. Installing a modern roof ventilation system can help create significant savings in energy costs just by keeping warm air flowing out of your attic and decreasing the load on your hardworking air conditioning system.
In winter, roof ventilation keeps roof temperatures cool, avoiding the melting and refreezing cycle that turns snow on the roof into ice dams–those scary giant icicles that can build up along roof edges and gutters. Roof vents help the air escape before it melts the snow and causes ice dams. Melting and refreezing snow can damage shingles and cause them to buckle and rot. It can also lead to mold and mildew problems, so installing roof vents can actually help your roof last longer.
Should I Wait Until I Replace My Roof to Add Ventilation?
When you’re putting in a new roof, it’s always an excellent time to install roof vents. But you don’t need to wait. Putting in new shingles and a ventilation system at the same time can mean lower installation costs. It can also dramatically lower your energy costs by bringing a double whammy of energy efficiency with modern shingles and an up to date ventilation system. However, if your roof is in good shape but you need a vent upgrade, we can help you achieve better airflow with your existing roof.
Roof Ventilation: Keep Cool and Call DryHome
When you need a new roof, DryHome Roofing and Siding is Northern Virginia’s go-to contractor. But our reputation for excellence also extends to helping clients keep their existing roofs in good shape. One of the best ways to do this is with a simple roof ventilation upgrade. Modern systems from companies like our trusted supplier CertainTeed can help air flow smoothly in and out of your attic, creating savings not only in roof repair and replacement costs but also in your energy bills.
Our team has extensive experience in installing effective ventilation systems that will help regulate temperatures in your home. These new vents can be combined with high-quality, energy-efficient shingles or added to your existing roof. You’ll be amazed at the difference such a simple fix can make.
