Why You Should Prioritize Proper Attic Ventilation

As a homeowner, you need to make proper attic ventilation a priority to help address excessive heat and moisture that can wreak havoc on your roofing system. Exposure to excess heat, for instance, can warp the roof sheathing and prematurely age the shingles. Today, we highlight the importance of proper attic ventilation and why every homeowner should prioritize it. 

How Does Attic Ventilation Work?

Efficient ventilation requires a specific type of air movement. A steady flow of air must be established to produce air changes. The system components must be sized correctly and positioned to provide constant airflow throughout the attic area. Air movement can be created in two ways: natural or mechanical ventilation. Natural air movement depends on stack and wind effect while mechanical ventilation relies on a power source. 

How Can You Improve Attic Ventilation?

The International Code Council (ICC) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have set standards for roof ventilation. For instance, the required minimum for net-free ventilation is one square foot for every 150 square feet of attic floor space.

To improve the ventilation in your attic, experienced roofing contractors like us recommend the following:

• Add roof and soffit vents. Exhaust vents allow warm, moist air to escape, while soffit vents allow an opening for outside air to enter the attic from the roof’s underside. When paired together, they create a system that enables air to flow into, up and out of the attic. To keep these vents in great shape, be sure to have them inspected and maintained regularly.
• Install gable vents. Roof and soffit vents may not provide enough ventilation for some attics. As such, you should consider installing gable vents to provide additional airflow. These vents often have controllable openings oriented to drive air out of the attic. 
• Use fans. For homeowners who live in hot or humid climates, passive ventilation may not be sufficient. In this case, fans can be used to draw air out of the attic and improve airflow. There are many types of fans to keep in mind: some are manually controlled by a switch while others are activated using a thermostat that automatically activates the fan when the attic gets too warm. 

When it comes to roofing work, look no further than Neumann Construction! Our commitment to our customers goes beyond roof replacement – we make sure we understand our customers’ expectations and timeline for every project that we commit to. Call us today at (218) 270-0009, or fill out our online contact form to set an appointment. We proudly serve homeowners in Brainerd, MN.