Blog: Attic Ventilation

For any roofing system, proper ventilation is a necessity.  Unfortunately, many homeowners overlook this need.  The temperature in your attic can be scorching hot, especially during the summer.

Some homeowners may think of the attic as simply extra space for storage.  But did you know the attic is an integral part of your roofing system?  You should inspect and maintain it alongside other parts of your roofing system to keep it in good condition during the winter.

When winter arrives and temperatures plunge, you might think the movement of heated air would no longer cause problems in attics.  But that's not true.  With seasonal changes, the conditions just reverse.  Heat doesn't travel from an attic into the living quarters.

What's the purpose of attic ventilation?  It seems like a simple question, easy enough to answer.  Unfortunately, all too often, that's not the case.

Although the problems of attic heat and moisture have different causes, they share a common solution: a high-efficiency ventilation system that allows a uniform flow of air to sweep the underside of the roof sheathing.

When homeowners set out to eliminate ice dams, their typical response is to add more insulation to attics.  But no amount of insulation, if used alone, can eliminate the formation of ice dams.  An efficient attic ventilation system must be part of any solution.

The word "ventilate" comes from the Latin word for "to fan," the action of causing air to move.  And that's exactly how ventilation works:  it provides the conditions that allow air to move. And that's exactly how ventilation works: it provides the conditions that allow air to move.

In describing how ventilation works, we discussed intake and exhaust vents in general terms, perhaps giving the impression that a single type existed to serve each function.

Many of our customers ask us why we need to look in to the attic in order to provide a quote?  What does attic ventilation have to do with replacing or repairing my roof? To answer this question, we need to understand what the purpose of attic ventilation is?