No homeowner wants moisture or snow to accumulate on their roof without having the roofing components that aid in evaporation. And, having roof vents plays an essential role in protecting your home. So what are roof vents, you ask? Why are they so important in keeping your home running efficiently?
This blog post will help you understand the nature of roof vents, why they are essential for your roof, and what you should look out for if you need a new home heating system.
What Is A Roof Vent?
First off, let’s define what a roof vent is. Roof vents are openings in the top of a house that provide ventilation to the lower levels of the home and release low-pressure air that accumulates under the shingles. Common types of roof vents include:
Exterior vents – Exterior vents are located at the roof’s peak, usually between the ridgeline and the eaves. These vents could be metal, plastic, wood, or other weather-resistant materials. Exterior vents allow warm air to escape while letting cooler air enter through them.
Interior vents – Interior vents are found inside the attic space, usually near the ceiling. They are used to expel hot air accumulated in the attic space.
Chimney flues – For homes with wood burning stoves or fireplaces, chimney flues are important to exhaust smoke, hot gasses, and any byproducts from burning wood. Malfunctioning chimney flues can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, so it is important to watch them and ensure they are working correctly.
Ridge vents – Ridge vents are located at the very end of the roofline, usually just before the gutter. They are used to vent water vapor from the eaves.
What Are The Benefits Of Roof Vents?
One of the main benefits of roof vents is that they increase your ability to control humidity levels in your home. When your roof lacks proper ventilation, damp air can become trapped between the insulation and ceilings. When issues with moisture and humidity don’t get addressed, it can create an ideal breeding ground for mold spores.
Not only that but, if your attic doesn’t have proper ventilation, it can become stiflingly hot under the shingles. That heat buildup can cause the insulation to degrade much faster than expected. You avoid these problems and help maintain a healthy indoor environment by allowing proper air circulation.
Roof Vents Support A Healthy HVAC System
Roof vents are a huge part of what helps your air conditioner and heater work more efficiently. Their whole job is to help moderate interior and exterior temperatures and strike a balance and keep the air in your home circulating. The better your heating and cooling system can do its job, the less energy you use on those bills!
It’s important to remember that having insufficient intake vents means that warm air must travel longer distances to get into the attic. It also means cold air must travel farther to reach the exterior walls. Both of these factors mean that your heating and cooling systems will be working harder and using more energy.
Further, insulation and attic ventilation are two things that go hand in hand. Insulation keeps heat within your home, which means that your heating and cooling units don’t have to work as hard to keep the interior comfortable.
However, if you don’t have enough ventilation, the attic becomes a giant sauna. That makes the attic hotter than the rest of the house, meaning that your heating and cooling unit has to work even harder to keep the entire home cool.
What are the Types of Roof Vents?
There are two types of roof vents: active and passive. Active roof vents require electricity to operate, while passive ones don’t. Active roof vents are great for homes with solar panels because they can harness the sun’s power to run the fan motor. However, most people prefer passive roof vents because they are cheaper and easier to install.
Whether you choose an active or passive roof vent, you’ll want to ensure that they fit correctly into your roof. For example, roof vents shouldn’t stick out too far or get installed too closely together. So, you want to make sure that they don’t interfere with other parts of your roof.
Mixed exhaust vents offer a combination of both active and passive roof vents. They combine the best features of each type, making them perfect for homeowners who need to save money and still get good airflow.
What Is Roof Ventilation For A Steep Slope?
When the temperatures drop below freezing during the winter months, you may notice that your roof might leak as snowfall thaws or it rains. That is because water can get stuck underneath the shingles and freeze. To fix this problem, you need to add ventilation to your roof.
Installing new roof vents is one way to prevent leaks. Vents will allow for warm air to escape from the attic, preventing any moisture from building up. In addition, cold air can more easily enter the attic, allowing for better attic ventilation and helping to keep your home warmer.
Do Attic Fans Work The Same As Roof Vents?
Yes, attic fans work very similarly to roof vents. While you might think that roof vents and attic fans are interchangeable, there is one significant difference between the two. Roof vents specifically prevent moisture from entering the attic. Attic fans do not. However, attic fans can help combat moisture and keep things dry by circulating fresh air throughout the space.
Massachusetts Roof Repair And Installation Services
If you are concerned that the vents in your residential roof are not doing their job, please get in touch with the professional and experienced roofers at Flynn Roofing. Flynn Roofing offers roof repair and installation services throughout Massachusetts. We specialize in providing high-quality service to our customers and guarantee that all of our work meets industry standards.
Please contact us and get in touch with our friendly and helpful staff. We’re happy to schedule a free consultation or provide an estimate for professional roofing services in Newton, Wellesley, Dover, Hingham, Norwell, Needham, Cohasset, and Scituate.