Your roof may seem like a solid, intractable cover over your home's head, but in reality, it must also be opened up to the elements for ventilation. Attic and roof ventilation prevent dangerous problems with heat and cold, ice formation, warping, and condensation.
So, what kind of ventilation options do you have and what are they best for? To help you make the right decisions, here is a brief guide to five major types of roof ventilation.
1. Ridge Ventilation
Ridge ventilation, as its name suggests, is ventilation placed in a line along the ridgeline (peak) of your roof. You would install an open space where the two halves of the roof would normally meet so that air can circulate in and out of the attic. Coverings are placed over the vented area to protect it. Ridge vents are low profile and static, so they'll have little impact on how your roof looks.
2. Gable and Cupola Vents
If the house has interesting architectural features like gable and cupolas, these add opportunities for additional venting. A gable vent (and it cousin, the cupola vent) is a louvered vent that can help hot air exit the attic space. It features no mechanical parts, so it's a relatively easy vent to install and maintain.
3. Fans and Exhaust
If your attic needs a more serious ventilation solution, you may want to install mechanical fans and an exhaust system. As the most proactive type of ventilation, exhaust fans are programmed to trigger when the air becomes too warm. The warmth is drawn out and vented outside the house. This is obviously a more expensive method, but it allows the greatest control — particularly for residents of more extreme climates.
4. Soffit Ventilation
Another easy solution to help move air around is the soffit vent. Installed in the soffit area underneath the eaves, this vent allows air to exit the lower parts of the roof. It is most often used in conjunction with ridge vents to form a circulation system at the top and bottom of the roof.
5. Turbine Vents
If you're not overly concerned with keeping a low vent profile, turbine vents can easily get the job done better than static options. Utilizing simple technology, the turbine vent is a circular vent that is moved by the wind. As it moves, it helps force air upward and out of the attic. Obviously, turbine vents are best when used in a windy climate rather than a calm one.
The best solutions for your specific ventilation needs depends on the building, the way warm air flows in your home, your goals, and your budget. Learn more about these and other options by meeting with a residential roofing service in your area today.
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