When you’re a homeowner, it’s easy to forget the importance of your roof. We all know that the roof is there to protect us from the elements, but how many of us actually understand how it works? The truth is that the roof is made up of several different components, and each one serves an important function. One of these components is called a roof vent—and it’s very important for your home.
To understand the need for roof vents, you must first understand why your attic needs to “breathe.”
When you consider that your attic is a space that houses your insulation and roofing materials, it’s important to know that it’s not just any space. It’s an enclosed area with limited access and very little ventilation. And while this may seem like nothing big, it can be dangerous for your roof in reality.
The air in your attic needs to circulate freely for it to work properly—and if it doesn’t have this opportunity, then the materials stored in the attic will begin to rot and degrade at an accelerated rate.
Without Proper Ventilation, What Happens Next?
Well, you can void your roof warranties! That’s right: if you don’t have enough ventilation in your house, it can quickly become a mold magnet and render your warranty invalid.
This is because the roofing materials will not be able to dry properly, which means they are more susceptible to mold and mildew growth. And if there’s one thing we know about mold and mildew, they’re not very good for humans!
If you want to make sure that you won’t have any issues with your roof warranty—and keep yourself safe from harmful chemicals—you’ll need to ensure that your home has enough ventilation. This means installing roof vents.
So, What Are These Roof Vents?
Roof vents are an important part of your home’s design and function. They allow air to flow through the attic and out of your house. This airflow helps keep moisture from building up inside your attic and prevents mold from growing on top of your shingles. It also allows hot air to escape on hot days, which helps reduce energy costs by keeping the temperature lower inside your house.
Types Of Roof Vents
When it comes to roof ventilation, there are two main options: natural and mechanical.
Natural ventilation relies on the energy provided by wind and buoyancy to pull air out of the attic space, where it is then sucked out of the house through the eaves or gable vents. This type of ventilation is most effective in areas that experience high winds but can also be supplemented with mechanical ventilation systems to improve performance.
Mechanical ventilation systems use fans to move air out of attics and downspouts, which can be installed on roofs or walls. These fans typically come with a sensor that measures temperature and humidity levels in the attic; when these levels reach a certain level, the fan turns on automatically to remove hot, humid air from your home.
It is important to consider the climate you live in and other property factors when determining which type of roof vents will provide the most useful functionality. You can learn more about different types of roof vents in our blog here.
Different Types Of Roof Vents For Your Home
How Many Roof Vents Do I Need For My House?
Your home’s roof should be equipped with adequate ventilation to maintain a healthy attic. One square foot of venting is needed for every 300 square feet of attic space if the attic has a vapor barrier. If your attic does not have a vapor barrier, you’ll need 1 square foot of venting per 150 square feet of attic space. The vents should be evenly spread throughout the roof, and there should be a 1 inlet vent ratio for every outlet vent.
You can also learn more about the New Jersey Construction Code for roof ventilation systems at UpCode.
Schedule A Free Inspection Today!
If you need assistance in determining your home’s ventilation requirements, Northkit Roofing can offer information and assistance. We are dedicated to helping homeowners understand the value of their roofs. We can help you schedule a roof inspection to ensure your roof has proper ventilation, or we can schedule a professional roof vent installation. If you’d like to learn more about how our services can help extend the life of your roof and keep it in good condition, give us a call at (973) 396-7416.
