The Importance Of Proper Attic Ventilation
If you’ve ever walked into the stuffy confines of a room that’s been completely closed for a lengthy period, you know air tends to stay in place. You also know that just opening a door or window doesn’t solve the problem immediately. A flow of air must be established to produce the air exchange needed to remove all the stale air. That’s what an efficient ventilation system must do — provide a steady, high volume of air movement.
Proper Attic Ventilation
Proper attic ventilation systems allow a continuous flow of outside air through the attic which creates cooler attics in the summer and drier attics in the winter. It consists of a balanced system between air intake (at your eaves or soffits) and air exhaust (at or near your roof ridge).
How CertainTeed Ridge Vents Work
CertainTeed Ridge Vents are designed to provide exceptional weather protection and superior ventilation. Ventilation is enhanced by the use of an external baffle that deflects wind and weather over the vent and creates negative pressure to “pull” air from the attic, resulting in increased airflow.
Benefits of Attic Ventilation
Most homeowners believe the purpose of attic ventilation is to remove heat that builds up in the summer. That’s accurate, of course. But what that answer leaves out is just as important as what it includes. An effective ventilation system provides year-round benefits.
Helps reduce energy consumption
During warmer months, ventilation helps keep attics cool. Radiant heat from the sun warms the roof and radiates into the attic. If not properly vented out, it can radiate into the living space affecting the comfort level inside the house and contributing to higher utility bills. The reduced temperature in your attic will help keep the ductwork and air inside your home cooler The resulting effect will be a reduced strain on your air conditioning unit. During colder months, ventilation reduces moisture to help keep attics dry.
Protects against damage to materials and structure
The shingles and decking of your roof system may deteriorate prematurely due to heat and excessive moisture buildup. By reducing the surface temperature of the shingles and the existence of moisture on the underside of the decking by properly ventilating the attic space, a homeowner may be able to extend the life of both of these materials.
Defends against ice dams
Although Chattanooga does not see snow that often, winter creates a special attic ventilation problem in areas where snowfall and cold temperatures are common occurrences. The problem begins with the formation of ice dams which prevent melt water from running off a roof. Ice dams can form when warm air from the home accumulates in the attic, lower areas of the roof remain cold and a heavy snow cover accumulates on the roof.
The melted snow flows down the roof until it reaches a colder spot, such as the eaves, where it refreezes, forming a back up of ice commonly called an ice dam. A properly designed ventilation system creates a “cold roof” — a condition where the roof temperature is equalized from top to bottom, which helps eliminate the conditions that lead to the formation of ice dams. Roof damage occurs when the water pooling against the dam begins to back-up under shingles. Plus, water can infiltrate into both exterior and interior walls, leading to rotted roof decks and rafters, ruined insulation, moisture inside the walls, mold and peeling paint, which could cost a homeowner hundreds of dollars or more to repair.
Read More about Ice Damns Here
How Can Armor Xteriors Roofing Help?
As a preferred Certainteed Roofing Installer, we can offer you the peace of mind that the industries best warranty provides as well as a personal guarantee to offer the best possible service before, during, and after the job.
So head on over here to request a free estimate or simply give us a call today at (423) 760-3333 to schedule a no cost, hassle free, in-home estimate with one of the roofing experts here at Armor Xteriors of Chattanooga.
