Fact or Fiction? 4 Myths About Roof Vents

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

Ventilation is one of the most important aspects of a roof; it allows for air to flow throughout your home and prevents the wood from rotting or deteriorating by reducing moisture levels. Although the concept of roof vents can seem quite simple, they are actually very complex in nature and are often overlooked.

Have you ever been advised about roof vents by a friend, family member, or even a contractor and assumed what they said to be true? While much of what you heard probably holds some truth, it's always best to double check before making any decisions about your home's structure.

Thanks to Angie's List, the following are 4 common myths about roof vents and the truth behind them:

Myth: Vents are only necessary in warm places.
Truth: No matter the climate of your region, roof vents are important to keep air flowing throughout your home. In fact, roof vents are extremely important in colder climates because they can help eliminate moisture, which often leads to mold.

Myth: Any roof vent will work.
Truth: There are many different kinds of roof vents available - ridge vents, soffit vents and wind turbine vents, to name a few. The type of vent you choose heavily depends on the location and design of your home, which is why it's important to talk to a roofing professional before purchasing or having one installed.

Myth: The more ventilation, the better.
Truth: Although you'd think this is true, there is actually a limit on how much ventilation your roof should possess. Take a look at the square footage of your attic before deciding how you will approach ventilating your roof.

Myth: Ventilation means cool air.
Truth: Although ventilation does permit air to flow, which can remove heat from your attic, even the best ventilation won't match your attic's temperature to the temperature outside; your roof will radiate heat into the attic naturally regardless of ventilation!

Phil's Main Roofing is a fully licensed and insured roofing company that has been serving CT and NY for over 65 years. We offer our roofing services to the commercial and residential markets and install the top roofing brands to ensure that any roof is built to last. For more information on our services and how we can help, visit us at www.philsmainroofing.com or give us a call at (203) 838-4545 today!

Intake vs. Exhaust Vents: A Comparison

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

Image courtesy of domdeen / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

As discussed in our previous blog, proper ventilation is essential to keep your roof working the way it should. Especially since attics are notorious for trapping the heat in summer and extreme cold in winter, it's necessary to create a space where air can circulate and enter/exit in order to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. Thanks to the National Roofing Contractors Association, we've created a guide that explains the different types of attic and roof ventilation systems you should consider to keep air flowing:

Intake Vents: Intake vents are used so that air can flow into your attic or ventilation space. These are typically located near roof eaves or soffits, and tend to work best when exhaust vents are located at or near a roof assembly's peak. When installing intake vents, it's important to make sure they aren't blocked from the inside by any insulation or drywall. If you plan on installing insulation as well, be sure to use foam baffles between your rafters so there is still an even flow of air between the roof and your insulation.

Exhaust Vents: An exhaust vent's primary function is to allow the air in attics and ventilation spaces to exit the interior of your home. These should be placed at or near a roof assembly's ridge, and they work best with intake vents that are placed along the roof assembly's lowest eaves. In terms of exhaust vents, there are a few different types that can be used; they are as follows:

• Ridge vents
• Static vents
• Gable-end vents
• Turbine vents
• Powered vents

Located on different parts of the roof, each of these vents work to make sure air flows evenly throughout your attic, entering and exiting when necessary. For more detailed information on the different types of vents you can have installed, click here.

Here at Phil's Main Roofing, we are well versed on the importance of ventilation and understand how important a well-designed ventilation system is in order to guarantee your roof's lifespan. Our certified technicians excel in their ability to perform a variety of tasks when it comes to roofing and are available for work in both the commercial and residential sectors.

Contact us at (203) 838-4545 for all of your roofing needs today!