Roofing ventilation is often overlooked by property owners, but it’s just as important as insulation and weather protection. Without proper ventilation, a roofing system could be vulnerable to moisture problems caused by excess humidity, not to mention the decrease in energy efficiency because of hot air unable to escape from indoors. Here’s a brief rundown on the fundamentals of roof ventilation for both commercial and residential roofing systems.
The Right Amount of Vents
There’s no such thing as a universal ventilation system. This is because the amount of vents needed for a roofing system depends on the size of the property. Experts recommend having about one square foot of area dedicated to ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic area. A collection of soffit vents, baffles and ridge vents should be enough to vent warm air out and take fresh, cool air in.
Powered Ventilation
In some cases or during extreme weather, the natural air flow may not be enough to keep the roof properly ventilated. This is especially true for business properties where air warmed by a large number of appliances and people inside are more plentiful than the supply of fresh air. For these situations, it’s better to call for commercial roofing services and have exhaust fans to aid ventilation.
Vent Protection
Roof ventilation allows proper air flow into a building, but that means that the vents could also serve as an entry point for problem-causing factors such as water, debris and even small animals. It’s important to keep entry points protected by wire mesh, vents, or grilles to keep them safe from these factors.
Proper Installation by the Pros
Because roof vent installation is a technical task, it’s much better to avoid taking the DIY approach and hire professional roofers to do the job. The same thing can be said when it comes to maintenance since roof repair experts are more knowledgeable when it comes to detecting and fixing roof ventilation problems.
Ensure your roof’s functionality with help from certified roofing experts. Masters Roofing is the most trusted roofing contractor in Memphis, TN. You can call us at (844) 400-4774 or fill out this online contact form to request a free quote.