Roofs and attics are an inseparable marriage. If your attic is well ventilated, your roof’s integrity is benefited. 

When an attic is sealed, it traps excess moisture, which can cause roof damage from the inside out, reducing the average shingle lifespan while also provoking the formation of ice dams in winter, which lead to interior leaking.

Attic ventilation is rooted in two main principles: intake vents that allow the outer air to come into the attic, and exhaust vents that allow the hot air to go out of the attic.

Since air naturally tends to rise, these vents are handy, and most importantly, energy-efficient - they are even known as “passive ventilation.”

• Intake vents: are usually installed in the soffits, either as an individual vent or as a soffit with multiple holes. If you already have these installed, make sure not to block them when you insulate your attic since that prevents the air from entering the attic, just as it would happen in the total absence of these vents.

• Exhaust vents: there are three available types of exhaust vents - ridge vents, static vents, and powered exhaust vents. Ridge vents are simple openings that run along the ridge and are frankly imperceptible. Static vents protrude from the roof and have unique coverings that prevent rain and snow from entering the attic. Powered exhaust vents feature an electric fan that turns on when the attic’s temperature rises and turns off when it drops.

Attic ventilation is very much needed, whether you don’t consider your attic a livable space or make a living there, and it is included in the cooling and heating plan of the house. If you are like the latter, rafter venting is the best option for you since they can be installed in pretty much every rafter space, direct fresh air from the soffits to the roof’s peak, and don’t negatively impact the indoor aesthetic of the attic. 

Perry Roofing is the best roofing contractor if you want to ventilate your attic without damaging your insulation work. Call them now!