Most people know why it’s important to have your roof insulated. If nothing else, it makes financial sense, since a well-insulated roof is the biggest defense you can have against thermal transfer from outside. That means the heat will stay inside in those cold winter months, while heat will stay outside on those sweltering summer days. 

What people aren’t always as familiar with is the importance that proper roof ventilation plays in ensuring that insulation is working as best as it can. Proper ventilation brings fresh, cool air into the attic through the intake vents located under the eaves, while it releases hot, moisture-filled air from the exhaust vents at the ridge of the roof. 

This will keep the attic air circulating to prevent the potential build-up of too much heat. When it’s cold outside, allowing in that cool air will help maintain a cold roof temperature, which should help avoid ice dams created by melting snow. 

Now that you’ve got a sense of how the ventilation works, here’s a look at just some of the benefits ensuring your roof is properly ventilated can bring to your home:

 

Increase your roof’s lifespan

 

A roof is a major investment to make on your home. You want to get the most out of it as you can, and proper roof ventilation will keep your roof strong and secure for a longer period of time.

If you allow the attic to get overheated, your roof will feel that heat internally just as it’s feeling it externally. This can cause the underlayment and the shingles of your roof to dry out and crack far quicker. That can result in expensive repair work. Some asphalt shingle manufacturers are known to include a clause in their warranty regarding the refusal of warranty based on insufficient attic ventilation.

 

Prevents mold damage

 

Perhaps the most important thing ventilation can bring to your home is preventing condensation, which can be a big problem when warm air rises from the interior of your home and hits cold surfaces. Without proper ventilation, moisture will build-up, which can lead to mold, moisture-stained ceilings, and even structural damage to the rafters and trusses of the roof itself. If this issue isn’t spotted in time, it can do enough damage to warrant a complete roof replacement. 

 

Increased energy efficiency 

 

Hot, stagnant air will build up under the roof over those hot summer months if there’s not enough circulation. That will heat up your ceilings and can spill down into your living space. If you have air conditioning, that will make your air conditioning work harder. However, if your roof if properly ventilated, that’s a great way to lower both your home’s cooling and operating costs. 

 

Prevent ice damming

 

While they make for great play swords or wands, icicles hanging along the edges of the roof are not really something you want to see on your home. Those can be a sign of ice damming. Ice dams are usually caused by warm air reaching the roof deck, which then results in the snow on your roof melting. This melted snow can run down your roof and refreeze on the home’s overhangs, forming ice dams.

Proper ventilation will combat these dams by directing warm air from your living space to the peak of your roof and then outside. It will also keep the attic close to the same temperature outside, which can prevent melting snow. 

At 4A Roofing, we offer quality workmanship backed by a five-year watertight warranty and have experience with just about any issue you can have with any and all styles of roofs. Whether you’re in need of a repair up there or a full replacement, we’d be happy to take a look and see what the best option for your home is. Give us a call today at 360-558-1572 for an estimate for your roofing needs.