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One of the most important aspects of your new
roofing system is having proper ventilation. You should not ignore this most
important roofing design. Improper roofing ventilation, whether commercial
roofing or residential roofing, allows for the formation of condensation, moisture
accumulations, and damage to the roof deck and sub-structure.

One of the most important aspects of your new
roofing system is having proper ventilation. You should not ignore this most
important roofing design. Improper roofing ventilation, whether commercial
roofing or residential roofing, allows for the formation of condensation, moisture
accumulations, and damage to the roof deck and sub-structure. Improper roof
ventilation can also affect the roofing warranty and most important of all,
your families health.           

The roofing industry standard for roof ventilation
is one square foot of intake ventilation along with the same amount of exhaust
ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic space, provided the area is
insulated and has a vapor barrier. If the area is insulated but without a vapor
barrier, the vent requirement doubles.Remember, these are recommendations: Every house is
constructed differently, along with various building site influences, and of
course interior factors like the number of kids and dogs and the setting of the
thermostat, or the use of a bathroom shower fan. A professional roofing contractor will explain how
the proper ventilation of the roof attic achieves several important functions:

It makes the attic space cooler.

It makes the home more energy efficient.

It prevents condensation and accumulation of moisture.

It can help in prevent ice dams.

It can make the roofing shingles last longer.

It may even prevent your roofing warranty from being
voided.

Several types of roof vents are available to
properly ventilate  the roof of your
home. Most roofer’s will recommend the standard roof vents you see lined up
along the peak of the roof, generally on one side. Roof Ridge Vents are another
vent system and run along the peak of the roof in once continuous run. Ridge Vents generally provide you with more exhaust
flow than standard vents. Soffit vents are placed close to the
overhangs of the roof at the lower extremes of the roof. These vents provide
the intake ventilation for the roof and it is important for your roofer to make
sure they are not covered up with insulation.

Olders homes were not built with the tightness built
into new homes. There were plenty of cracks and openings around windows and
doors to allow the house to breathe. Newer homes don’t naturally breathe, they
must be designed with a system to remove accumulated moisture and heat.
Without adequate ventilation, moisture rises with the warm air and forms
condenation on the inside of the roofing deck. This moisture is created from
bathing, cooking, plants, animals, humans, and many other producers. When
condensation forms on the roof deck it can begin to rot the wood and create an
environment for the formation of mold. The result, if the problem is not
corrected can be the destruction of your roof deck and the creation of unhealthy
air that may affect those living below.

Ask any roofing contractor, the importance of proper
ventilation in our increasingly airtight homes cannot not be over-emphasized.
It is important to take the time with your roofer and discuss the ventilation
needs of your home in your region and how to best meet those requirements.
Roofing contractors and homeowners get ready to breathe some air into that attic.