To protect your roof from moisture damage and lower your cooling costs, you need to make sure your roof and attic are well-ventilated. Without adequate ventilation, warm, humid air becomes trapped in your roof, creating a damp environment that’s the perfect breeding ground for mold and increasing the strain on your HVAC system.
How Much Ventilation Does Your Attic Need?
As a general rule, attics with a vapor barrier should have a square foot of net free area (NFA) – the area through which air can pass – for every 300 square feet of floor area while attics without a vapor barrier should have a square foot of NFA for every 150 square feet of floor space.
What Are the Components of a Standard Roof Ventilation System?
The standard components are soffits, fascia boards and exhaust and intake air vents. The soffit boards are located under the fascia board (the long straight board that supports your gutter system). If they’re properly vented, they allow fresh, cool air to enter from the bottom part of your roof. In addition to providing ventilation, soffit boards also protect the rafters that provide structural support for your roof.
As their names suggest, exhaust vents allow stale air to exit your roof and attic while intake vents bring fresh air into your home. There are different types of roof vents, the most common of which are ridge vents. Not all air vents can provide the same level of ventilation. That’s why before installing new air vents, it’s best to consult an experienced roofer.
Here’s a tip: to boost your roof’s protection against moisture damage, we recommend installing a gutter protection system. Gutter guards prevent leaves and debris from entering and clogging your gutters, your roof’s first line of defense against the elements. To make sure your gutter guards are installed correctly, only experienced roofers should handle their installation.
Looking for roofers near you?
Christian Brothers Roofing, a family-owned company with more than two decades of experience, offers professional roofing services. To get a free estimate, call us at (270) 715-1999, or fill out this form.
