Roof Ventilation 101: Everything You Need to Know

Take a deep breath and inhale that refreshing outdoor air. According to the American Lung Association, 17.6 million fewer people in the U.S. are breathing unhealthy air—that means the air we breathe on a daily basis is becoming cleaner and cleaner. Fresh air can not only revive your lungs but also boost your mood, lower your heart rate, increase your energy levels, and improve digestion. While the outside air can keep us in positive spirits, do you know what’s going on with the air inside your home?

Though opening windows can help circulate fresh air, if your roof isn’t properly ventilated, you could be breathing in stale air—damaging your health and the structural stability of your roof. Thankfully, the professionals at Sherriff Goslin are here to help you understand all about roof ventilation and why it’s important.

What is Roof Ventilation?

If you’ve ever been in an attic and immediately felt extreme humidity, you’ve likely experienced a roof with poor ventilation. Roof ventilation is a system of intake and exhaust vents that provide air circulation to keep the atmosphere inside a home comfortable. Without proper ventilation, hot air can get trapped within your home, causing a variety of problems and an uncomfortable living environment for you and your family.

The Benefits of Roof Ventilation

Roof ventilation is essential for proper airflow in your home. This vital system is composed of two parts: intake and exhaust vents. As their name suggests, intake vents draw in outdoor air at the base of the roof. Exhaust vents, on the other hand, are positioned at the roof peak and offer an exit point for stuffy, internal air to escape. These two vents together create an efficient system to recycle air throughout the home. Additionally, roof ventilation allows for various benefits to your home and your wallet, including increasing your home's energy efficiency, reducing indoor temperatures, decreasing your monthly HVAC costs, and more.

Energy Efficiency

Every homeowner loves saving money, and by ensuring proper roof ventilation, you’ll be doing exactly that. As outside temperatures rise, so do the temperatures inside your home—causing you to furiously turn down the dial on your thermostat. If your roof isn’t efficiently ventilated, the heat will become trapped inside your attic, slowly traveling throughout the rest of your home. This will cause your HVAC system to go into overdrive, working at a much harder rate than it should be.

Rather than waiting for your HVAC unit to break down from overuse, ensure your roof has proper ventilation with an inspection from Sherriff Goslin. You’ll quickly begin to experience lower operating costs and cooler temperatures throughout your home.

Extended Lifespan

When your roof gets too hot and the attic turns into a musty, heated area, various issues can arise. As we’ve mentioned in a previous blog post, condensation can form under the shingles and cause mold and mildew to grow. Additionally, the lack of airflow throughout the attic can cause the wooden framing, rafters, and underlayment to rot and crack—leaving you with a hefty roof replacement cost.

With proper ventilation, you can increase the lifespan of your roof. Fresh, cycled air can flow through the space and leave you breathing easier. Though this won’t protect your roof from other unexpected factors, such as storm damage, you can rest easy knowing you’re keeping moisture from entering your home.

Reduces Indoor Temperatures

When you walk upstairs to the second floor of your home, do you notice an increase in temperature? If you answered yes, then you may have poor ventilation in your attic. Proper ventilation systems allow the hot air to escape, leaving you with an even temperature no matter which level of the house you’re on. 

Signs of Poor Ventilation

Don’t let your home be the reason you can’t sleep comfortably at night or why you keep having to overpay for your HVAC unit. Instead, stay alert and aware to signs of poor ventilation in your roof and attic so you can enjoy the summer months relaxed and cool. A few signs you may be experiencing a lack of ventilation include:

• Mold & mildew growth
• Hot & cold spots throughout the house
• Frequent HVAC breakdowns
• Ice dams in the winter

Ask Us About Our Ventilation Options

We’re Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio’s premium roof installers at Sherriff Goslin. We understand Midwest weather and the importance of having the proper airflow throughout your home. With our roof replacements, we use state-of-the-art roofing materials and intricate attention to detail in order to get the job done right the first time. If you’re questioning whether or not you have the proper roof ventilation, contact our team today at (800) 866-1906 and schedule a free inspection. We’re happy to walk you through our process and provide you with an honest, affordable quote.

You Can Rely on Sherriff Goslin Roofing

Sherriff Goslin is a family-owned and operated business, proudly serving Midwest homeowners for over 100 years. We are firm believers that everyone deserves a high-quality roof. For this reason, we’ll provide you with an affordable quote for your roof replacement or repair. Get in touch with us today to get started.

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