Roof Ventilation

One of the most overlooked components in a new roofing project is ventilation. A properly ventilated roof will last much longer than one that is not quite up to standard.

So many of the roofs we look at aren't sufficiently ventilated. For just a little more effort these roofs could have lasted much longer than they did. In some cases perhaps twice as long.

Why Is Ventilation So Important?

Every home contains moist air. Through cooking, bathing and even breathing moisture is being generated in the home. The rule of thumb is a gallon per occupant per day. This moist air eventually migrates to the highest air space in the house (heat rises). This will be the attic or the air space between the drywall of the ceiling and the roof sheeting.

Modern dwellings are buttoned up so tight to conserve energy that the only place for this moisture to go is the attic. Much older homes were much less energy efficient than now, but one benefit was that they at least "breathed" or in many cases were "drafty" allowing much of this moist air to escape without having to ventilate the roof as much as is required today.

If moist air is allowed to stay trapped or not exhausted effectively, it will saturate the wood decking that the shingles are attached to and cause them to prematurely age. It will also impact the effectiveness of your insulation.

Unfortunately, many of the homes that are getting their first re-roof weren't ventilated properly when they were built. This is the reason we are replacing the roofs on 12 to 15 year old homes. When getting a new roof you can save a few hundred dollars by skipping this step, but it may cost you a decade of roof life in the bargain.

Click here to schedule a Roofing Ventilation Estimate!

614-792-6797