Why Proper Roof

A great roofing system isn’t solely dependent on the quality of your roofing shingles. Your roof ventilation can ensure that your roof is durable, energy efficient, and defensible against harsh weather conditions.

As roofing contractors in the Greater Vancouver area, we are often asked, “How necessary are roof vents?” This is a valid question, and we’re going to answer it definitively in today’s blog post.

What Is a Roof Vent?

The term “roof vent” can encompass many things, but for today’s post, we’re going to refer to vents that remove harsh summer air and invasive winter moisture from the attic. The way that your attic is vented can determine the health and longevity of your roofing system.

Ventilation, in simple terms, is the flow of air through intake and exhaust. A good roofing system will consist of intake at the eaves and exhaust at the roof’s ridges.

It’s commonly believed that a roof is sufficiently ventilated when it’s installed. However, that can be far from the truth. Most roofs are more insulated than they are ventilated. And while insulation is necessary, it doesn’t provide proper ventilation for the roof—which is needed especially for the summer and winter months.

Benefits of Roof Ventilation

Durability

A roof with proper ventilation will last far longer than a roof without it. Ventilation will protect a roof from the formation of ice dams, which can degrade the integrity of your roofing shingles. It also reduces the buildup of moisture. Excessive moisture is proven to cause the roofing structure to prematurely mold and rot, which will cause unexpected and unwanted repair costs to pop up. A well-ventilated roof allows your attic’s natural air to circulate properly, which can deter the accumulation of moisture.

Airflow

Consistent and balanced airflow is necessary in both the summer and winter months. In the summer, airflow is needed because hot attic air can bake the shingle and cause it to degrade; in the winter, the warm air from your home needs to escape the attic, as warm air that’s trapped in the attic can cause snow to melt—which will later re-freeze to form damaging ice dams.

Energy Efficiency

Heat buildup in the attic can cause your home air conditioning system to work harder to cool down the house. This will cause your energy consumption to increase dramatically. A good ventilation system will ensure that your home’s energy usage stays under control.

Many of the homes in the Greater Vancouver area lack properly ventilated roofs. Ice dams, mold, shingle degradation, and high energy costs are caused by under-ventilated roofing systems. Don’t make the mistake of going without proper ventilation. Whether your roof is brand new or older, Mountain West Roofing recommends that you take the proper measures to ensure that your roofing system is fully ventilated.