In the summer, the attic is hot and the shingles even hotter.The vents on your roof are a critical component of the roofing system. At Christian Brothers Roofing we feel you cannot over ventilate your roof. If your home lacks roof vents, then you should consider adding the correct type and number of vents during your next roofing project.
During the warmer months, roof vents allow the removal of hot air to lower the attic temperature. This need for displacing the hot air will prevent premature aging of the shingles, such as blistering, cracking and granulation loss. In cold weather, vents prevent moisture build-up. Activities such as cooking, laundry and warm showers generate warm, moist air. If this air gets caught in the attic, damage to the decking could occur. When condensation appears on the underside of the wood decking in an attic, there is an obvious lack of venting.
Below are the four most common types of roof vents. Most roofs have one or two of the products as components of the roofing system. And some roofs may utilize all four.
The most common of roofing vents. Usually made of aluminum, these raised boxes with louvers on three sides simply cover a hole that has been cut into the roof allowing hot air to escape. As an example, Owens Corning would recommend twelve (12) box vents on an average two thousand square foot home.
Ridge vents have become more popular in recent years. These are another form of a passive air vent, where the vents are covering holes in the sheathing allowing warm air to escape. The difference between these and box vents is placement. Ridge vents are a necessity if the home has vaulted ceilings inside. If no vaulted ceilings, ridge vents are usually chosen for aesthetics. There are the aluminum vents that come in ten foot sections, but do not allow for shingle caps to be installed over. Mesh rolls of ridge vents are available, but question their efficiency. The four foot plastic ridge vents are best. Louvers on the sides and installed with two and a half inch nails or screws and designed for shingle caps to be installed on top. Owens Corning’s minimum recommendation for an average two thousand square foot home is between thirty-two and thirty-eight linear feet of ridge vent.
The ones that spin! Turbines are “energy free” attic ventilators. They are dual-bearing, available in different sizes and colors. Turbines do the job of transferring air, but if in a high wind area there is always the risk of the turbine spinning its way off your roof during a storm. Owens Corning would recommend six turbines on the average two thousand square foot home. However, wind turbines are most commonly used in combination with box vents.
Power attic vents need an electric source for their high-efficiency motors. These vents come equipped with automatic thermostats, though also available with humidistat and thermostat control. These vents minimize heat and moisture damage to your roof and attic. If choosing to implement the power vent as part of the roofing system, make sure you have easy access to the vent for any maintenance. Occasionally the motor in the power vent may need changed.
The above listed vents are only one component of the roofing system. For your roof to be at its most efficient and balanced condition, these vents need to be installed with the proper combination of gable, attic vents and soffit, undereave vents. As always, the proper materials and installation is the most important factor in your shingles longevity.
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